Could I help out ?

[BabiesEverywhere]

I am a first time mum, breastfeeding my nearly 11 month old DD, after inital problems(traumatic birth, milk took 5 days to come in, latch problems, thrush, cracked nipples) I now love nursing my DD.

I was wondering if there was any way I could help other new-to-breastfeeding mums, let them know that things DO get easier and that having a bad labour etc doesn't stop you feeding ? (As I was told ) Or is it the kind of thing you need to be medically trained expert ?

Thanks

You could train to be a breastfeeding counsellor through NCT or other organisation or become a Breastfeeding Friend.

Also you could donate milk to your local hospital milk bank.

You could help just by letting EVERYONE you speak to that is pregnant know how wonderful you think bfing is.. and that it is a unique skill that both you and your baby need to learn. Once mastered it truly is amazing

AND you could also train to be a bfing councellor with NCT, LLL or BFN and help mums who are going through that tough time and need the encouragement and support.

Come to MN often and help people here.

As elasticwoman says. Please go for it! I'd have loved to have someone like you who knew what they were doing when I had DS1, I really believe I'd have been able to BF him if I'd had more support - proven right when I had the weight of MN behind me with DS2 and we managed successfully.

Good luck!

Oooooh!! You would be very wanted. Speak to your local hospital to seeif they have a breastfeeding specialist midwife - I bet they will be doing some kind of peer support kind of scheme!

You could train as a peer supporter so help support local bfing mums. Its usally a 12hr ish course in the basics of bfing. Peer supporters are basically used to provide support for bfing mums under the guidance of a health professional or qualified BFC. They aren't expected to help with bfing problems usually. Sure Starts usually have schemes for training as a peer supporter through LLL or you could do the ABM equivalent course at home. If you want more then you can look at training to be a BFC through NCT, ABM, BfN or LLL. Each organisation has it's own way of doing things & their own criteria & expectations of working for them. IMO its worth contacting all of them & seeing which one fits you better.

Wow, thanks for all the quick replies...I'll look up all the groups mentioned and give them a call and see if I could be helpful anywhere. I would love to do a training course, if that would be possible