I want to do something positive... Who's with me?

[poppydog10]

Following on from Funny's recent thread and others, it is obvious that so many of us are passionate about breastfeeding and frustrated that it is not seen as 'the norm' in this country.

I really, really want to help change things, but just don't know where to start. Collectively, we might be able to make a difference. Any ideas?

Whoever said anything about forcing women to have a confinement? It would be good if some help were available for women who wish to have one, without having to shell out shedloads for a doula.

Also, I understand that there is a possible link between PND and trying to do too much too soon after giving birth. I fell into the trap and in hindsight it was pretty obvious I was heading for a big fall - so it was.

certainly consider quality assurance,vetting,indemnity,crb if seriously advocating stranger has that much access

look at what cm have to attain to work. would that model be replicated

gaelicsheep My local nhs have just started up a service where peer supporters meet with women when they are 30 and 37 weeks pregnant and then again at birth in the hospital. The women are then offered 6 weeks support from the same supporter. I have put my name down for the next training intake in january.
I have also written to my msp about the bf manifesto.

Good points. These things are always more complicated than they first appear. But there must be something that could be done fairly simply, even if it excludes being able to look after the other children.

Local to me there is a scheme where volunteers go and do DIY jobs, gardening, etc. for pensioners. Those are vulnerable people, so the people running the scheme must have found a way around the issues that scottish mentions.

That sounds really good harverina. I have emailed our NHS Infant Feeding Coordinator this evening to ask about peer support training.

gaelic supporters require crb clearance and must met quality standards of nhs trust who facilitated the introduction/referral.can circumvent safeguarding

the volunteer scheme for vulnerable adults will have crb check too and some element of safeguarding overview by agency who runs it.

Do you mean DIY helpers and the like? Yes CRB checks would figure.

What I'm talking about though, is that not just similar to a babysitting circle for example. Totally informal, mothers offering help to other mothers in exchange for getting help themselves when needed?

The babymoon vouchers thing, that was me thinking that instead of giving a gift to a friend you give time instead. Packaged up in a pretty card.

x posted. The peer supporters thing I mentioned just then was about me looking into training as one.

Do you work in this kind of area scottishmummy? Voluntary sector I mean, as you seem to know a fair amount about what's what?

individuals acting outwith statutory sector can agree private arrangements.as soon as you introduce the nhs you are subject to safeguarding,crb and quality assurance

peer schemes reliant upon nhs referral/introduction all have crb and quality assurance. submit a tender for the provision

Thanks. I hadn't even considered the NHS having anything to do with it. I might put the feelers out among local mums.

Good one gaelic.

DOn't worry OCC! I know how it is!

I agree re support for babymooning. I've only got one so can't begin to imagine what it's like with a newborn and older dcs. But I do think that post partum first baby there is a lot to get your head round and BF is just part of this.Personally I think there is far too much emphesis on getting back to "normal" as thouugh you haven't just ben throught the most intense physical and emotional thing many of us will ever do! Especially as "normal" is a whole new thing now that you have a baby and you need time to discover what this is for you!

I would personally be very interested in volunteering for such a scheem and will look in to the little angels link crikey posted

Call me "rots" - takes me ages to work out who "OCC" or "organic" is!!

MoonFaceMama- agree about getting back to normal. In fact, my Mum was one for pushing that - commenting that my SIL, 4 weeks after giving birth should have gone in to the swing of it by now . She also used to proudly recount stories of being up and dressed by the time the midwife used to visit in the morning.

Personally I found it very hard juggling a newborn and two other children - one starting school, the other starting pre school. With a husband starting a new and demanding job there wasn't a lot of help around. In fact I think all the rushing around and cutting short feeds to do the school run was partially to blame for DS3 being labelled as failure to thrive. I wish now I'd stopped trying to be 'supermum' and just sat down and fed my wee one.

Anyway, enough navel gazing from me- here's your Gold Star MFM!

Oh, and one more thing about the promotional literature that you mentioned gaelic. I do think there needs to be some more honest material out there so that women really know what to expect (I'm not saying everyone gets problems but I think most have some issues). With my first DS I went to a bf workshop and it all seemed so easy lining up a doll. I was so naive that I didn't even know about bf helplines or mumsnet for that matter (and this is only 5 years ago).
AAarghhh, I'm not sure where this is going, but it would be interesting to know what info is being given out at the ante natal stage and if it could improved on.

Resurrecting an old thread, just to let you know that the book I mentioned up thread is finally finished (yay!) and will be published in June, launched during Breastfeeding Awareness week. If you want to have a look, see www.lonelyscribe.co.uk (forthcoming titles), amazon (search breastfeeding stories) and find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Breastfeeding-Stories-to-Inspire-and-Inform/326859357387631. Really hoping the book will be useful. There's also a launch, on Wednesday 27 June, in Belper, Derbyshire - if you or anyone you know might be interested in coming along, get in touch!

That's good Suse well done you on getting the book finished and all the best for the launch :)

I have a blog and talk quite a bit about breastfeeding, amongst other things of course. Anyone who wants the link to my blog can PM me.

Suse, will try to get hold of the book and do a review on the blog during the summer.

NeedlesCuties I have PMd you. Thanks for my very first MN :)