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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Becoming a BF counsellor

12 replies

Lagoonablue · 15/05/2014 11:44

Can anyone suggest a way I can do this? Fed both my babies for a long time and am very interested in BFing. Now they are both at school I am looking for ways to pursue this. I work but can see I could offer time at weekends or evenings. I could maybe do a help line.

I have looked at NCT but there is a big cost attached to their training. I also have not been an active member of a NCT or other BF group, mainly as there were none near me when I was on mat leave.

I work in social care and have lots of training skills. I would love to be able to promote BF and support people. I used the helplines ALOT and would love to put something back.

I know this comes up regularly on here but anyone done this recently. If you went the NCT route how did you pay?

OP posts:
crikeybadger · 15/05/2014 13:03

I'm coming to the end of the Association of breastfeeding Mothers BFC course. It's all done by correspondence and the fees are low -you have to commit to 2 years on the helpline after you have finished the course. Check out their website for more info-ABM.me.co.uk.

Original poster
Lagoonablue · 15/05/2014 14:09

That's great. I will. Thanks.

OP posts:
MerryMarigold · 15/05/2014 15:00

Lagoon, I came on here with the same question! A friend gave me the idea today as I've been giving her some help with her new baby. Maybe I should search the threads! I was also wondering what the differences between the courses are, apart from cost. Is one better at getting you into employment etc. I don't work so I am looking into this as a career option as well now my DC are at school. I breastfed ds1 with LOTS of issues for 9 months, and my twins for 1.5years. I'd love to be able to help other mums as it was one of the best things about having a baby second time around!

CelticPromise · 15/05/2014 15:03

ABM is much cheaper and good training as far as I know. Jobs are pretty much non existent even for BFCs, most opportunities are voluntary. I am only a volunteer peer supporter and considered the BFC route but am now going to retrain as a midwife Smile. I recommend getting involved locally as a volunteer and seeing what's about. Watch out, it might change your life...

Messygirl · 15/05/2014 15:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kd73 · 15/05/2014 15:05

Hi, contact your local breastfeeding volunteer group as they may offer free training in return for a commitment to the group. I volunteered 4 yrs ago, now help recruit local volunteers as part of my role as a breastfeeding support worker for the nhs. Good luck x

MerryMarigold · 15/05/2014 15:08

Good advice. I have a friend who's a midwife locally. I will start with her.

Kd, how would you find a local breastfeeding group? I never went to one.

Original poster
Lagoonablue · 15/05/2014 15:45

All the BF groups near me are in the day and I work so no good really. I don't want a job out of it but would happily do evenings and weekends on a helpline.

OP posts:
dannydyerismydad · 15/05/2014 15:57

Look into whether BfN offers training in your area. BfN is usually totally free - after a 12 week course with required reading and coursework, you qualify as a helper. This allows you to work in a drop in clinic helping with latch and positioning.

After a while you can upgrade to supporter training, allowing you to work on the helplines and to start your own drop in.

In my area BfN supporters and helpers work on the local hospital ward helping mums with new borns.

CelticPromise · 15/05/2014 16:20

Merry Google or get hold of the infant feeding coordinator at your local hospital. As others have said it is variable whether areas are covered by LLL, ABM, BfN, NCT or NHS trained peer supporters running groups. It's ridiculous really that there isn't a standard qualification at least for peer support!

[grumpy because I have just had to redo training because I moved areas- waste of time]

MerryMarigold · 15/05/2014 16:30

That's good to know celtic, that it depends on the area. I am looking move in the next year or so. Maybe I should hold off. Then again, if it's free to train with some groups then I don't have anything to lose.

deepinthewoods · 19/05/2014 08:23

I did my training with La Leche League. I did attend the local group which was a requirement, and needed a recommenation from the group leader. Training took two years and exam at the end. All my costs were paid for, it didn't cost me a penny, including lots of (expensive) books and course materials.
THis aspect is group dependant, a good group with several active counsellors should be applying for grants and funding to cover training. I have trained several counsellors since I qualified and been active in applying for grants to support the training of others.
Grant funding is relatively easy to get, there are thousands of pounds available , EEC social funding, Lottery etc I have been successsful every time I have applied.
If you become involved with a local group and the consellors are keen for you to train then you could do the leg work and apply for funding to cover your own training costs. Leaders of the group would have to sign the forms as you would not be qualified, but most groups would be happy to help to apply for the funds, especially if you include in the application a few hundred pounds to buy books for the group library, telephone costs for the counsellors, money to print flyers or posters, conference registration etc.

If you are smart the training should not cost you a penny.

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