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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Breastfeeding counsellor training

31 replies

marz · 15/08/2006 13:36

Hi all, I am thinking about becoming a breastfeeding counsellor. I have contacted NCT, ABM and La Leche and am wondering if there are other organisations that I might contact who might provide training.
Thanks!

OP posts:

Gracesmum · 16/08/2006 04:45

i was asked by our surestart midwife and she delivered our training. if you are in surestart area you could ask them or see if you have a local b/f support group. HTH

Original poster

marz · 16/08/2006 19:55

Thanks Gracesmum, I phoned my local surestart, and they said they do not do b/f support, but I should contact council...so will do that tomorrow.

OP posts:

pupuce · 16/08/2006 20:18

There is also the Breatsfeeding Network.
I did it with the ABM and would recommend it (not that I would not recommend the others).

Original poster

marz · 16/08/2006 20:31

Pupace thanks. Can I just ask, with ABM, does it lead to a recognised qualification? (Or do any, for that matter?) And then is the payback just the phoneline counselling or do you get involved in other ways?

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northender · 16/08/2006 20:32

I've just done training with the Beastfeeding Network. There are different levels of training depending on how involved you want to be.

pupuce · 16/08/2006 20:33

Yes i am a qualified BF counsellor.
And as far as I know the other 3 have recognised qualifications too.
I have to only do phone line BUT I choose to help 1/2 day a week at our local NHS BF clinic as it is with 2 lactations consultants and I have learned far more that way....

Original poster

marz · 16/08/2006 20:38

Pupace, I am about to try and find out if there is a b/f network run by council tomorrow...(assuming I have time!!) but that makes sense...to get extra experieince and opinions...
I think the ABM bnotes said it could be completed within a year, did you....or do you think it could be?I am trying to get an idea of time commitments, and whether I could start now, I ahve dd1 about to start school in Oct and dd2 in p/time nursery....
Northender, would you recommend the training you did?

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Original poster

marz · 16/08/2006 20:38

Pupuce , keep typing pupace...mental block, sorry!!!

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pupuce · 16/08/2006 21:17

The BF network is a "spin off" of the NCT - it's a nationwide organisation.
I did my training in 10 months and was told I was 1 of 2 to do it that quickly - it is doable in 10 months as it is not that much work... if you can keep 1 or 2 evening free per module ( 1 or 2 modules are more work).
I did my training 4 years ago I think.

Gracesmum · 17/08/2006 04:19

i did my training through our midwife but it was LLL training pack. got certificate and presentation on completion and am qualified as b/feeding peer counsellor. i help out at our local surestart b/f support group, but i also speak to women in ante natal clinic which i love because sometimes i feel as if i have assisted in helping women make an informed choice. i have also trained as a nursing bra fitter.

Original poster

marz · 17/08/2006 09:31

Gracesmum, thanks, I think that ante natal groups would be a great way to influence people...am thinking I might have to go out of my area to look into this as my local one is not providing this...altho' I wonder if it might be something I could look into providing?!! (Here come my biz ideas!!!)
So now...how do I decide who to go with if the courses are all pretty similar...??!
Am sort of thinking that the pros and cons come from wanting (or not) to be associated with any group...or that certain groups might not reach certain people?? Am I right in thinking that or just being naive...?

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pupuce · 17/08/2006 09:35

Marz I agree that's why I chose not LLL o not NCT.... but that was me.... the ABM leaves you pretty much on your own (if that's what you want) and it hasn't got the image of LLL (attachment parenting) or NCT (middle class - sorry ). I am the only ABM BF counsellor around and I do loads of work in the community (out of choice).

Original poster

marz · 17/08/2006 10:07

Pupuce, you have just put what I wanted to say into words politely....!!!
I went to a LLL meeting when I was b/f and found it was not for me...and like you say, I feel NCT does have a middle class reputation....the thing is though, that I am thinking there might be a possibility that we will move abroad in years to come , and then wonder if it might be advantageous to have a reputable name behind me...if that makes sense!
I hate having to make decisions....I wish there were just one organisation and then I woulb be forced to go with them...!

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Original poster

marz · 17/08/2006 10:08

Oh, next question...are you only doing voluntary work?

OP posts:

northender · 17/08/2006 10:31

marz I did the "breastfeeding helper" training with BfN which was 2 hours a week for 12 weeks. That then enables you to help at support groups or work in giving advice/support at ante natal classes, baby clinics etc. The advice/support you can give is limited and you'd always pass certain problems on to others! The next level is "supporter" training which takes about a year I think with sessions every other week. They're hoping to run that here next year and I'm hoping to do that then. That means you can work more on a one to one with mums and also work on the phone "supporterline".

I can thoroughly recommend it so far!

pupuce · 17/08/2006 15:26

The ABM is very much reputable so that would not worry me.
I do only voluntary work but that's my choice. Youc ould to a certain extend charge for your services but you need to ask who ever trains you how that can work.
As a doula I know that I could charge for extra sessions on BF but I have never had to do it.
I know NCT BF counsellors do get paid when they take part in AN sessions. Local to me they (all 4 NCT) have all declined to help for free at the new clinic we set up... I thought it was disappointing as they said they would only do it if paid X... I don't know all their reasons so I'll leave it at that!

Gracesmum · 18/08/2006 04:50

although my training was via LLL i dont have any direct links with them, they are happy to leave us to our own devices and just be there for advice/support when needed. they also provided us with excellent literature to hand out as needed. our only commitment is to complete log book of people we see, like any business that relies on funding this is just to prove that the service is worthwhile.
we also have annual conferences which are very inspiring.

Original poster

marz · 18/08/2006 10:30

Gracesmum, do you not have to commit to a certain amount of voluntary work when you ahve trained with LLL?
Pupuce, that is disappointing about the NCT and voluntary wk....
I am thinking that for the first few yrs voluntary wk is the way to get the experience and give "something back...", I guess I am thinking thought that eventually I might need to work for money...particularly IF we were to move abroad, and so I want the option to be able to do so. I am also assuming that there might be a chance to to some paid work for govt organisations?? Or am I being naive...??
as for the training, I am beginning to wonder if location might be a deciding factor too, I am in North London, and might have to start finding out where the groups/tutorials etc are held.
I have to be honest, all of the guides/prospectuses are not very clear about all of the commitments etc, quite frustrating as I feel like I am having to contact every one of them about 4 times to get answers...(hence coming onto MNet to get some help!!!)
Northender thanks for your recommendation,have looked at the online details...it does not say if you have to pay or not?

OP posts:

dazzlincaz · 18/08/2006 12:28

Marz, are you hoping that your interest in breastfeeding could at some point become a paid job? Or are you intending to be a volunteer counsellor? LLL is worldwide, don't know about the others.

terramum · 18/08/2006 12:58

marz - with LLL you dont have to commit to anything you dont want to or have time for. Its very much felt that the family comes first.

Original poster

marz · 18/08/2006 13:18

dazzlincaz, am thinking for a starter that I want to do voluntary but would like to know too that if circumstances were to change, that I could convert it to a payable job...(am primarily thinking if we were to go abroad...)
My concerns about LLL are...(please don't anyone shoot me down...I really would like to know more and be "educated" if people feel differently..) that the meeting I went to went past my boundaries of comfort...although in theory I feel that people should feed till whatever age they feel comfortable with, I was not comfortable with watching a 5yr old feeding....
I know that this is an issue I will have to work with and deal with too...(already have counselling skills!) but I am primarily assuming most of the "help/advice" is needed by mothers in 1st few months (or even yr) of feeding. I like the idea of doing pregnant mums to too to educate/convert!
I am assuming though that any course will address this type of thing....or am I wrong?

OP posts:

terramum · 18/08/2006 14:37

One thing thats mentioned frequently are the LLL meeting I go to is that you can take what you want from it. If something doesnt appeal to you or you dont agree with it then you dont have to. But saying that though it does seem sensible to train with an organisation that makes you comfortable and agrees somwhat with your own ideas & philosophies. As a leader or any bfc though I would expect you to be respectful of anyones choices no matter how strange you think they may be . Have you borrowed the leadership pack from LLL yet - theres loads of info in that.

terramum · 18/08/2006 14:39

Forgot to mention as well that I wouldnt assume that its only mums with young babies that need help & advice (although you could certainly choose to "specialise" or concentrate in that area if that interests you) - you only have to look at the types of questions that appear on boards like this to see that!

dazzlincaz · 18/08/2006 14:43

Hi Marz - have you looked into Lactation Consultancy? That may be a way forward for you, particularly if you wish to make it your paid job sometime in the future.

It is rather an eyeopener the first time you see an older child nursing - but when I had ds1 any baby over 3 months 'still feeding' was unusual where I live, LOL!

The early days throw up lots of questions and concerns, but mums with older babies have different questions and concerns, as you found from your experience at the LLL meeting. It is also interesting to hear other mothers' views and experiences in such an environment of acceptance. However, if it didn't feel right for you, then maybe one of the other groups will suit you better?

It is wonderful that you want to help mothers enjoy breastfeeding - the more help there is, the easier it is to turn the tide in favour of breastfeeding. Go for it!!

IlanaK · 18/08/2006 14:50

Marz,

I trained as a counsellor with the ABM. I did it in one year and am now on the helpline. I did have a support group locally, but don't do that any longer.

I am in central london and co-ordinate all counsellors in teh South East. We have regular meetups in London for counsellors and as tutorials for trainees. We are quite active in that area.

I like the ABM training as you can do it in the time you want, and also I think it is one of the most technical of all the organisation's training (though that is my opinion only).

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