Any peer supporters who could give me a hand, please?

[SirBoobAlot]

Am starting my training in a few weeks time - they've asked me to go and do it so there is someone under 20 to help out. Am really looking forward to it (and slightly nervous!).

I've been asked to prepare a piece of work in some form or another about my "breastfeeding experience". I am drawing a total blank. Could I ask what those of you who have already done the course did for this? I have no idea where to even start.

Mum suggested I did three paragraphs; Firstly why I chose to breastfeed, then what I did to get through the tough bits, and lastly why I'm still breastfeeding. I don't know if that is correct or not!

I feel like I'm 11 years old again worrying if I'm doing my homework correctly

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Yes that sounds like a good plan. I honestly don't think you can get this wrong - it's your experience in your words, whatever you choose to focus on will by definition be the right thing iyswim as it's what breastfeeding is 'about' for you.
We started our training with something very similar and there were a range of answers. I talked about the (minor) struggles I'd had in the early days but also that 'tied to the sofa' feeling :o

I just have no idea what to write. Has also been a while since I last wrote anything. Guess you can only write about what you know...

Thankfully they're not being shared, just between you and one of the people running it as a debriefing at the beginning. But still. Ugh.

Well if you were working as a peer supporter, what sorts of questions would you use to open up the conversation with a mum? Then you just need to answer those?
Did you plan to bf? What was the first feed like and were you well supported by HCPs at the time? What problems have you encountered and how did you work through them? Would you say you enjoy(ed) bf or is it something you do because of the benefits? What are the things you know now you wish you'd known at the time?

I haven't done the course (but am considering looking into it) but here are some other ideas:

• why you wanted to breastfeed
• your ideas about BFing while you were pregnant
• your first feed with your DS
• the support you got at the start
• the rough bits and how you got past them
• the things that still throw you now
• the things that get you annoyed about BFing
• how you feel about it now and why you are still going

I agree with yoru MUm re: structure - sort of before, middle and after perspective.

Thank you both. Will get scribbling and may be back...