Breast Feeding Peer Supporters

[Nicknamegrief]

Are there any of you out there?

Has anyone done a course ... Who with, how much did it cost and who is reputable?

I am considering going down this route to work in the volunteer sector for the next couple of years and have no idea where to start ... Google obviously but there is such an array and I am not sure where to start.

Thanks in advance

Yes, did mine through Surestart centre, was free. Took about 4 months (once a week) so you have to be keen. Really enjoyed it and learnt a lot. Volunteered at baby group and local maternity unit.

I did my course through a children's centre.

It was three months long, once a week for two hours or so. The children's centre organised a free crèche while the sessions were on.

It's a great way to volunteer :)

Do you know who ran it?

There are no sure start or children's centres where I am and the health visitors are run off their feet dealing with other things. Most women are getting very good support at the hospital and come home feeding but very very few are continuing. The health visitors would love me/someone to be able to offer support but I feel I would like something more than just their support and my experience to help.

Thanks again

Mine was run by council. Nct do courses and I presume la leche. Have you googled breast feeding groups in your area?

Where are you op?
I'm a peer supporter I trained through the nhs

I'm in Germany but as part of the British Forces.

That is why there is such limited support.

Have seen a few online courses that I was wondering about.

I trained with Barnardo's, the course was 8 weeks and it was free. They are very good. Where are you, OP?

Oh sorry I just saw your last post!

I'm training to be one, through the NHS - it's a 7 week long course & is absolutely fab.

Op there's a book called The Womanly Art Of Breastfeeding - written by LLL & one of my friends went on a BF peer support training course & was given a copy there. Am assuming that the course she did was loosely based on the book - might be worth a read?

I've got it and read it.

La Leche aren't running courses at the moment and NCT only seem to train groups.

The ABM run courses mainly online for mother supporters that I could do but I have no idea about the standard and have never heard of them.

do you know who was employed to run your courses?

Thanks for all the info so far.

Why not approach it from another angle & get some of the more experienced bf mums together to form a support group?

That's idea forgetful, thank you. If I can't pursue the training I think I will try that, was hoping that I could do something that allowed me to take it further when I get back to the UK (selfishly perhaps) but while not ticking the 'piece of paper' route would still help and contribute- hopefully.

Obviously a qualification would be nice , but I think what most new bf mums need is someone saying "yep, I was there, I remember how bloody hard it was, but it really does get easier". Obviously I know you need to know your stuff about latch, positioning etc, but getting mums together can be hugely supporting. I remember the first time I went to my local bf support group & thinking "oh all newborns cry this much then, I'm not doing anything wrong".

Good luck, hope you get something organised

The ABM are one of the 4 recognised bf charities organisations in the UK alongside LLL, Bfn and NCT. All equal in status, just have slightly different focuses. The ABM help run the National Bf Helpline as well as having their own helpline.

Their mother supporter training is excellent and would suit a person living abroad as it is distance learning. You can also go onto full bf counsellor training afterwards which is also distance learning.

I would recommend them as the organisation for you to look into.

(I am a previous ABM counsellor, trainer, committee member and now a lactation consultant)

I know what you mean forgetful, I find mother and baby groups invaluable (still- 4 children on) for that sort of thing.

Thank you wiifitmama and everyone else.

Your feedback and advice have been really useful and hopefully over the next few months I can do something useful here.