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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Breastfeeding Peer Counsellors

36 replies

frodobaggins911 · 05/01/2011 13:27

I've been reading this board for a while and know that there was a thread a while back about peer counsellors becoming lactation consultants. I came across this page which is encouraging in terms of the value attributed to peer counsellors, and the options they have. I also have seen this which states that PCs can become LCs with 1000 hours of clinical practice. Jan Riordan, in her breastfeeding an human lactation book, states that the IBLCE will award 500 hours for every year of active practice. I have yet to check this with an LC who works with LC students but thought it was very encouraging for those PCs who wanted to further their qualifications.

I suppose the question remains, is it better to remain in a mother to mother role (which has been shown to be most effective) or an expert to mother role, which may mean dealing with only highly problematic cases and having to charge lots of cash - something which ime puts people off getting help.

Just sharing the info anyway...

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 05/01/2011 13:39

That's very interesting Frodo and I honestly don't know the answer!

Funny that you should post though as I've just been looking at training to be a BFC with the NCT. They are accepting applications until 30 Jan for courses starting in May. More info here for anyone that is interested.

Original poster
frodobaggins911 · 05/01/2011 13:58
Grin
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nymphadora · 05/01/2011 14:09

Nearest one is at least 3 hours from me Shock

JiltedJohnsJulie · 05/01/2011 14:15

Sorry nympha, do you mean your nearest Peer Counsellor is 3 hours from you?

nymphadora · 05/01/2011 14:34

Course. Would expect that there is no nct ones locally. There are peer supporters

JiltedJohnsJulie · 05/01/2011 14:36

Oh sorry, I see. If you are interested in training I think ABM do distance learning.

nymphadora · 05/01/2011 14:56

Thanks. There is a course at surestart starting soon but I can't do it ironically because I'm feeding dd3 & can't leave her for that long. Distance learning may work

JiltedJohnsJulie · 05/01/2011 15:04

Can't believe that they are putting on a course in the Surestart Centre and don't provide a creche Shock.

Think the ABM one if for training to be a BFC but sounds good for you if travelling and leaving DD3 is a problem.

Hope you find something that works for you all Smile.

BranchingOut · 05/01/2011 15:07

Has anyone done the postnatal leaders course?

nymphadora · 05/01/2011 15:13

There is a crèche but she is too little. Dh could have her but he can't feed her. Next course won't be til I'm back at work.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 05/01/2011 15:45

That's a bit pants nymh.

BranchingOut no, but I'm sure if you are interested you could give one of the Tutors a call for a chat before you apply.

EauRouge · 05/01/2011 15:52

I'm doing the LLL leadership course and it's all very laid back and informal. No classes to attend and they are very family orientated so it might suit your situation better than the NCT one. More info here.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 05/01/2011 16:26

EauRouge, hope you don't mind me asking, is the LLL leadership course the same as being trained as a bfing counsellor?

MummyBerryJuice · 05/01/2011 16:39

I'm doing the ABM course (Mother Supporter/MS) and it is all distance learning. It is very thorough and you have a study supervisor so you aren't really learning in isolation. It also helps as there is no need for childcare etc.

The ABM is an excellent organisation and is involved in an advisory role to the DoH. Once you have completed the MS course you can go on to train as a breasfeeding councillor through them and work on the national helpline. The ABM will also allow you to use your training in other organisations and institutions, which makes it a very flexible voluntary qualification.

EauRouge · 05/01/2011 16:46

Well, yes and no. You don't get a formal qualification like a GNVQ or anything although LLL is a worldwide charity so it'll still look good on your CV.

A leader's role is like that of a BF counsellor, you help women by giving them information and support (not advice though!). All leaders run monthly meetings, answer phone calls/emails and stay up to date with BF info but there are other things you can do if you want like run ante-natal workshops, toddler meetings etc. and there are conferences you can go to.

That's as much as I can fathom so far, I'm not accredited yet but I can let you know what it's like in a few months (hopefully!) Grin

JiltedJohnsJulie · 05/01/2011 16:58

Thanks Eau. Still thinking about what to do. Do fancy the NCT one but our local Chair is a real twat difficult at times. May still apply though as I've wanted to do it for ages and DD starts school this year.

Let us know how your course goes Smile

Porcelain · 05/01/2011 17:03

Nymph, I'm having similar issues with doula training, I want to train before I go back to work, so I can do my 13 weeks then leave, knowing I can "step into" doulaing out of my old job (obviously I would still be doing the trainee thing then, but I'd be on the way to knowing it was going to work out), as it is, I can't find a course that is local before I go back, but after DS might be ok in childcare. Sad

JiltedJohnsJulie · 05/01/2011 17:05

Porcelain don't really know much about it but did you look at the NCT link, you can train to be a Birth Supporter with them, think it's essentially the same as a Doula.

curlyLJ · 05/01/2011 17:44

Hi Nymph, wont they let you take your DD with you? I recently attended a LLL peer supporter course at a local Surestart Children's Centre and any babies too young for the creche were able to come into the class with the mums and BF when necessary etc... Worth asking?

For the receord I really enjoyed the course and am looking forward to going into some local groups and maybe even hospital wards to support other mums Smile

nymphadora · 05/01/2011 18:29

Didnt think of that. May ask. Though I'm tempted by the distance learning thing

Porcelain · 06/01/2011 06:33

Thanks for that heads up jilted. Looks really interesting. I imagine that would be great for combining birth support with bf counselling and/or antenatal teaching (which I'd love to do) It's a bit new though, and based a long way from me. I'm not sure I'd want to be beholden to nct for doulaing either. I did just find a recognised doula course fairly local to me that suggested I take ds with me!
In related news o noted reading the Nct ante natal teacher course details that they allow babes in arms too, so are likely to do so for bf counsellor.
Really grateful for this thread now, it seems to have put a boot up my bum to sort out doula training before I go back to work, which will make it easier to "retire" to douladom when ive worked through my maternity leave obligation.

KaraStarbuckThrace · 06/01/2011 08:06

Nymph, I did a peer supporter course last year and one of the other mums had an 8 week old when we started. She had the baby in the classroom with her and fed her whenever, a lot of the written stuff we did after class, so wasn't too much of a problem for her. Eventually she went into the Creche (conveniently located next door) when she was old enough.
I would talk to the course leader about it. I'd be surprised if she said you couldn't bring your baby in with you.

pearlgirl · 06/01/2011 09:40

I have just done a peer supporter course and took my little one in each time - he dozed and fed in the early sessions. By the end of he course he would go into the creche for a bit and they would bring him down hen he needed a feed.

Original poster
frodobaggins911 · 06/01/2011 09:45

I have spoken to a LC an confirmed that for every year of active service as a volunteer peer supporter/counsellor, the IBCLE will award 500 hours of clinical practice.

OP posts:
Original poster
frodobaggins911 · 06/01/2011 09:45

sorry IBLCE

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