Is anyone a BF Peer / Mother Supporter?

[mrstiggywinklethehappyhedgehog]

Hi all, I have been looking into training as a breastfeeding peer supporter with ABM/NCT/BFN, but it isn't quite clear to me what the peer supporters actually do - are you on a helpline, or are you supposed to attend/run a drop in group? How do PSs work with BFCs? And what is the training like? I'd love to hear anyone's experiences. I'm in North London so if anyone is local that would be especially helpful. Thanks!

I'm currently training through abm, is funded by our children's centre. I am going to be helping at the bfing cafe and on the helpline eventually.

I've just completed my training as a Peer Supporter with NCT. Our group of trainees have set up a breastfeeding cafe at our local childrens centre and a number of us are looking at volunteering on the Maternity Ward at our local hospital.

The training should have taken about 10-12 weeksbut we are a bit of a chatty group so has taken slightly longer. Although out chat has quite often been useful!!

I loved the training and so far I'm loving the cafe. I've found that most of the women coming generally seem to need a bit of a confidence boost in trusting their own instincts and in the main we are offering support, tissues and cake!

I trained as a peer supporter but then wasn't allowed to actually do anything As I understand it the other peer supporters helped out at groups, manned a local helpline, and some did drop in weekly sessions at the hospital.

I am a peer supporter, our network runs weekly support groups in children's centres in the area, i also used to volunteer for a 24 hour helpline, visit new mums in their homes in the first few days to get them started, also we have a presence in the hospital postnatal ward and try to see all bf mums in the first 24 hours. We run antenatal classes too and sometimes attend antenatal clinics at the hospital.
Bf support is very active in our area, and we have good funding so able to do a lot as we have paid peer support.
The hospital can be quite difficult to access due to rules and regs, if you speak to the head of midwifery at your local hospital, you can find out if s/he and the infant feeding coordinator are ok with the idea of you being on the ward, if so, contact volunteer services and get your crb&clearance sorted and you should be ok. We are very welcome on the ward as midwives chronically short of time to sit with new mums whilst they feed, which is often all that's needed, yes, you are doing it right, yes that's normal, try holding like this if they won't latch etc etc etc. it is hard sometimes, but really lovely seeing new mums with their babies, and even better when they accost you in town 6 months later to tell you they are still going strong!

I'm a peer supporter - and help run a local drop in breastfeeding support group. We peer supporters just have a rota for who does teas/coffees, who greets, who looks after the older children etc and we have all had listening skills training, and know where to direct mothers for information or extra support from the breastfeeding counsellor.

Wow, that all sounds great! I was worried that I wouldn't be much use but it sounds like you ladies are doing loads of good stuff. I struggled with bf at the start but am now still feeding my 12mo and love it, so really want to help other mums.

maples yes I know Born, I will definitely give them a call as that would be handy for me. Thanks!

Thank you everyone - very inspiring!

Mother supporters are invaluable online as so many mums need that boost outside booby group hours or for those who for whatever reason are struggling to get to a group t all. Hence MSG boards like this one are a lifeline. I have found my MS/PS knowledge vital for keeping up the banter in comments sections while also providing information and debunking myths, spotting rubbish in the media and doing stuff to advocate for mums through the wider network of birthy and booby activists. The more coverage out there the better.

I did a peer support course about 18m ago, run by NHS mw and hv, using the UNICEF Baby Friendly guidelines. Took about 8 weeks, with a 2 hour session each week. The course was extremely interesting and enjoyable. I help to run a local bf support group at a children's centre, and was also helping out there before I did the course. It's quite casual and in the main we provide moral support and advice to mums and sometimes pregnant women as well. No tea and coffee, as all hot drinks have been banned at all children's centres in my area (Warwickshire), for health & safety reasons....but there is cake sometimes!

Ah species- hot drinks are also banned at our children's centre where I help out. It's a real bugbear of mine as I feel that most women would welcome a hot drink (apparently it can aid oxcytocin release too) and the ban does assume that women can't drink a cup of tea without spilling it over someone.

I have just started volunteering on the ward which is amazing- and so different to the groups because the women need so much more help- either with hand expressing or help with latch. The process to get there was long -NHS peer support course, CRB checks and hospital induction, but it is so worth it.

I am one, I did an NHS peer support course and now I volunteer at a support group and in the local neonatal unit ( have had a baby there myself). I also do home visits sometimes. I love it.