Any experiences of training to be a breastfeeding counsellor?

[JiminyCricket]

I'm thinking about it, and think I could manage the time, though unfortunately the trainer lives quite a long way away so would mean some late evenings. Does it feel strange to be so involved with breastfeeding once you've stopped feeding your own baby?

[Tatties]

Bump as I am interested in this too

[sazhig]

I'm going to start the process of becoming an LLL Leader after xmas - who are you considering training with?

I've been going to meetings since when I was pregnant with my ds (he's my first - now 17 months) and both the leaders there have older children at school who no longer breastfeed - so I don't think its unusual to be involved after finishing bf - thats how it was before the bottle culture started - your mum/aunt/gran etc helped you bf. It probably will be long while before I finish bf as ds still feeds lots & we intend to have a least 2 more children, but if anything I think I would feel a little sad that I wouldn't be able to join in & feed during the meetings ! The only time I went without ds I felt very left out & spent most of the time getting cuddles from other people's babies when they went to the loo/got a drink etc!! Haven't really thought that far ahead at all to be honest - just want to get out there and help mums like I was helped when ds was little (we had HUGE problems bf & LLL are the main reason, along with my dh's support, that we managed feeding at all).

[hercules]

I've often considered this too.

[PaintedLady]

Hello. Am just starting training as bfc with NCT. Tutorials are 45 mins away in the evening. I have received the info and quite a lot of written work and studying is involved but I am keen to do it as I want to help bfing mums and I think I will learn a lot through the process. There is a lot of self development involved. I will think of the study time as me-time. The whole thing will take about 3 years and then I am committed as a telephone helper and ante-natal course teacher for 3 years. Must say I think it wondrful that the NCT is paying for me to do this.

[DingDongMerrilyOnHIGHLANDER]

can you become a BFC without doing the ante-natal stuff as well? I opted for a CS and I won't promote conventional births

[hercules]

I think La Leche just deal with bf. That's who I'd do it with as I have no interest in anything else either.

[OnTheFlossDayOfChristmas]

I'd be interested in doing this in the nest few years.Am hoping if I have another to be able to feed for a bit longer. Am hoping that if I could do this I will be able to train as a health visitor, and be just a little bit useful .

[julienetmum]

Ding Dong you won't have to "promote" any type of birth. The NCT antenatal classes are there to give information not to tell women what to do.

But thats beside the point. Breastfeeding counsellors are asked to take the breastfeeding session only. Qualified antenatal teachers do the rest.

[julienetmum]

Just to expand a little. One of the reasons breastfeeding counsellors are asked to take the b/f session of ant classes is that it is thought that a new mum is more likely to call them for help if she has met them beforehand and seen the voice at the end of the phone as a friendly face.

[DingDongMerrilyOnHIGHLANDER]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I see!! I thought you had to train to do the puuuuush teaching as well

[sazhig]

OntheFloss - nice to see someone wanting to be a HV who is also interested in bf - its actually not even a compulsory part of their training - no wonder so many have no clue about it!

[IlanaK]

I have just qualified as a bf counsellor with the ABM . It took me about a year, but they give you up to two years to do it. It is all done through correspondance with modules sent to you by post and you work through them and send them back. The training is incredibly detailed and I feel I have learned so much. I would highly recommend them as an organisation (well, I would say that as I am on the central committe!) as well as a training body.

[somethingsexyandLYcRAinmystock]

Ilanak

do you do any practical training with the ABM? do they train you in people skills, let you shadow a qualified counsellor etc.?

[IlanaK]

There are a number of modules that cover conselling skills, both on the phone, in groups and face to face. In London, we have tutorials, but I am not sure that all areas so this. One of the modules is about assessing a breastfeed so you do need to go to a support group or other place to assess a mum feeding. You also have a mentor who you can talk things through with. I personally think that the ABMtraining is one of he most technical and detailed of all the organisations.