Peer Supporter training - who's done it, how was it, what did you do with it?

[tory79]

Have recently finished bf'g ds who has just turned 2. I really want to do something bf related now, to help and encourage others.

Has anyone done the training to be a peer supporter? Who did you do it through and how was it? And what are you doing now?

Thank you

I'm interested too.

Hopeful bump

I am doing the training now, through my sure start/Barbados centre. Peer support, from what I understand is a bit like being a boob aunt. You act as a cheerleader for other bf mums who may be struggling or unsure and you send them to the right professionals, when they need further help. So if a mum is worried about the latch (for example), you encourage her to keep trying, speak to her health visitor and arrange an appointment with the lactation consultant.

I got asked to do it as I am a confident breastfeeder, who read around on the subject before hand. I am very passionate about the need for positive support and education - it might be natural, but it is not automatic or easy!

If you want to be one, you need to be pro-bf and ready to commit to six training sessions (one per week). You choose if you want you run groups or offer one to one support, and for how often. It helps if you have breastfed yourself, but it's not necessary - the main thing is listening to the mum and giving her the confidence to keep going.

I have done it. With Surestart. What did you want to know?

Sorry. I help run a bf support group through the children's centre with another peer supporter. I love it!

I've done it. It varies hugely depending on which organisation you do it through, though.

Stretch I just wanted an idea of what was involved really, what did you learn and how you are putting it to use.

TheABC yes thats exactly how I feel. I know I was very lucky to have had a very positive bf experience, ds has just turned 2 and we have just stopped recently. I would like to be able to help others get as much from it as they can as well.

Ok. Well firstly, I had 4 very different experiences of breastfeeding. All with different problems. I had a lot of help with it so I felt like I wanted to give something back.

We had a 6 week course, focusing on feeding cues, positioning etc.. and also practical help on how to help mothers. Nothing was difficult, all was quite interesting! There was lots of discussion time, woolly boobs(!) and information sheets. I have a folder with them all in that I go over every now and then.

Our breast feeding group is fortnightly (funding ) and there are 2 peer supporters and a paid member of staff who supports us! We have mother's-to-be, newborns and some older babies. Older children are allowed and we have play provisions for them. A Health Visitor pops in and chats to the mums about various issues too.

It's very worthwhile doing. Just being a friendly ear can be so important, knowing someone has been through it is reassuring. We tend to get a few baby-bluers!
We're often a first port of call for minor problems which we can advise on who to contact (dr/HV etc).

I was a bit nervous at first talking and giving advice, (I was good at the listening bit!) but you soon get the hang of it.
Oh, and we don't always talk about breastfeeding, last week was rugby and bitter!

I trained and support at a local charity. Whilst a lot of our training was informative (learning how to demonstrate attachment and positioning/recognising common problems), we also spent a lot of time learning about the role if a peer supporter. For example, not giving advice because we are not insured to, but talking through our own experiences, empathising, directing to people who can give advice. Most important was empowering mum's to reach their own decisions on the best course of action. It's that part that's actually harder than it seems.