Does anyone know how I become a breastfeeding counsellor/peer mentor

[poppydog10]

Hi,
Does anyone know how I go about becoming a breastfeeding counsellor or supporter. My daughter is now 5 months and bfing going well (although it hasn't always) and I would love to help support others and promote bfing.

I did apply for an NCT pack a while ago, but it never came, so I wondered whether there was another route.

Thanks

I was after the same thing and wrote to Breastfeeding Network. They said someone would get in touch with me about training in my area, but haven't heard anything yet (though not expecting much with the holidays).

Hi, I attend a breastfeeding network group and have put my name down to do the peer support course. Might be a good idea to find a local group and start attending. As far as I am aware it is a 12 week course which you attend once per week and you can take your DD with you.

I'd like to do this too op! Haverina, are the bfn groups the same as the centres on the web site? There are non in my region.

I have done this course. The local health visitor and sure start centre ran it with La Leche League.

i'll probably ask at the baby cafe tomorrow.

I've been pestering HVs and Surestart people for over a year now and still heard nothing, I don't think they are bothered about having peer supporters in my area Will check out the BFN link though, thanks!

have you contacted the association for breastfeeding mothers/

Hum yes I tried the NCT initaly as really wanted to train to be a full BF counciler. But they changed their application process at the begining of the year. They now woun't let the local branch fund your expensies and I would have struggled with childcare to. They took so long to get back to me that I had already started on a BF helper course with the BFN which was great.

It was a 12weeks course once a week and they provided a creash. I'm starting to help out at the local drop in group this month and there is a possiblility that I can go on to do further training as our tutor is looking to run a course starting in October. I feel like I've got really good backup as well, as we have to have montly suppervision seasions. There setup on the hole seems far more orgernised then the NCT did.

The ABM (Assoc of b/feeding Mothers) runs a mother supporter course which is all distance learning. It is easily transferrable and a very good course (it is also the starting module of councillor training, so yu could go not that f your appetite has been whetted by the supporter training )

Did a course run by LLL via a local Sure Start Childrens Centre. Was an ok course, learnt a few new things but had been feeding for 15 months already and was an avid reader of all things breast feeding so most things were a conformation of what I knew. Well worth it tho and afterwards I helped out answering the local helpline that had been set up. Hope you find one and its fantastic that you want to support others.

moonface, yes thats right. Thats shame that there are none in your area, sorry!