Help! Asked to be a breastfeeding peer support worker

[littlemachine]

I have been asked by the children's centre I attend if I would consider becoming a bf peer support worker on a voluntary basis - supporting mums by phone and text and through home visits. They will provide full training etc.
I have said yes, as I want to 'pay back' the fantastic support I received with bf from the staff at the cc. I didn't seek help for weeks, by which time I was combi feeding, and I still am now DS is 5 months old. I am planning to bf until he self-weans.
I feel a bit of a fraud though. Would you want/accept help from someone who didn't ebf? And who had lots of problems at first themselves? What would you look for in a bf peer support worker?
I'd welcome any thoughts or advice.

Yes, of course. In fact I think the problems you had make you a better candidate than someone who has had none. Your story will make those struggling feel less alone. go for it :)

Thankyou allthegood I hope others feel the same! That's one of the reasons they've asked me but I felt a little dubious about how people would feel about that. The support worker who helped me bf he son for 4 years, so I thought 'this lady knows what she's talking about.' I am passionate about bf and support for bf mums - support for all new mums in fact. I started off thinking 'well I'll give this breastfeeding a go' and my initial struggles with latch, positioning, mastitis, bleeding etc only made me more determined in the end!

Absolutely I'd accept your help! I'm training to be a PS too, and a lot of it is about acknowledging your own experience and drawing information and empathy from it, but letting it go in favour of listening and supporting someone else.

Depending on circumstances, it's not always helpful to have someone who breastfed/mixed fed successfully for months tell you their story, no matter how difficult the beginnings of their BF relationship. Much better that they truly listen to your story, keep it about you, and support you to get the help you need.

A lot of our training has been an incredibly cathartic experience, as we've been able to talk at length about our own traumas, problems and issues, so that we have a free and open mind to help others without influencing their actions with our own.

Go for it - I'm enjoying it MASSIVELY and can't wait to qualify and get out there to help others in the way I was shown so much kindness and support.

i think i would prefer someone who had had the problem because the i could see what i could achieve if i keep trying, plus i would want someone who i know won't mind if i ring at 8pm needing a shoulder to cry on. i'm training to be a breastmate in July and looking forward to it :)

Thanks for your input I feel a bit more confident about it now.

I agree

someone who has worked through BF problems is even better than someone fortunate enough not to have encountered the problems in the first place

(though anyone who freely gives there time to support others is worth their weight in gold)