Breastfeeding Counsellor

[TreeHuggerMum1]

I'm looking for any advice that people can offer regarding training as a BC.
My local feeding specialist has suggested I look into this following some problems I had with my daughter and a tongue tie problem.
What organisations could I approach for support, do I need any qualifications, how much would it cost?
Many thanks.

[SurroundedByBlue]

I'm interested in this too.



I have no idea how to go about it so if you don't mind I will lurk on your thread to pick up tips

[SantasHairyBollock]

I am part trained, still doing the training at the moment.

Generally, all the main breastfeeding support organisations offer the option to train - NCT, ABM, Breastfeeding Network and La Leche League. All have slightly different ethos IMHO.

Costs vary but generally it doesn't cost a huge amount or you may be able to get grants. But you may need to buy quite a few books/attends study days etc and commit to volunteering with them for a period after training. Unlikely to get a paying job from it unless you go on to become a Lactation Consultant. You don't usually need any qualifications beforehand, but good literacy/communication skills are helpful IMHO, they have varying degrees of prior breastfeeding experience as a requirement (not necessarily BF without any problems though) HTH

[SantasHairyBollock]

Ask me anything you want to know though esp as I will be changing back out of my Xmas name soon!

[TreeHuggerMum1]

I love your Xmas name!!

[SantasHairyBollock]

I couldn't think of anything this year.

[TreeHuggerMum1]

How long have you been training? If you're part trained do you practice yet or do you have to wait to be fully trained?

[SantasHairyBollock]

I started several months ago, before starting the BFC training I did a shorter course to be qualified as a peer supporter type role (to avoid outing the organisation) and I have also trained as a peer supporter at my local Baby Cafe type group. So I am attending local groups as a peer supporter and am insured to run a support group in my own right but it is best to have a qualified BFC at these groups if possible, I don't run a group myself at the moment but I have run the group on behalf of the BF support group when they are short staffed before. I may well set up my own group when qualified, as I would then be able to refer people on for tongue tie assessment etc. I have good relationships with the local HVs and a working knowledge of the NHS which is handy though too.

The main thing with it, is support and sharing accurate evidence based information, it is not about giving 'advice' and the boundary can be blurry sometimes. I spent a long time in a job where my role was to give advice, and this is something I have to be careful to avoid doing It's good though, I love it. I'm not even BF anymore but am more in awe of BF the more I learn about it.

[TreeHuggerMum1]

So who / where do you think the first port of call should be??
Im still BF at the mo but my daughter is now 1 and im not sure how much longer i'll xontinue. Thanks for this by the way. It's a huge help.
Also a cheeky question but are you getting any paid work or did you receive any funding along the way?

[SantasHairyBollock]

First step, attend local bf group/s. Ask if they offer training to peer supporters. There's little point training if you aren't going to be meeting other bf mums to support 2nd, pick the organisation that seems the best fit for you and join it. You can look at their training before joining, some require study days, some have optional ones. I don't get paid for anything ATM, long term I might try to become an IBCLC which you can earn money from but needs tons of training and experience.

[1stMrsFrugal]

I've just trained as a peer supporter. Like you I am interested in BFC, but I thought that spending a year volunteering would both give me an idea of whether I'll really enjoy it or not, and also give me some experience that would help me secure a place on a training course in the future. I've only just started volunteering though, so I can't comment much further than that yet.

[Gingersnap88]

I've also just completed two peer supporter training (2 different organisations) and am volunteering locally. I would love a career from this but hear that there isn't that much paid work on a full time basis