Breastfeeding support in your area

[suzi2]

Just looking for some ideas. The breastfeeding support group in my village is somewhat lacking in partcipants lately, i.e. it's just one or two of us who help with the peer support and a HV/MW, and no breastfeeding mums some weeks (other than myself). Today we had a brief chat about it and what would increase the numbers. There aren't many breastfeeders locally which is a bit of a problem to start with.

\how do groups work in your area? How do they advertise? How do they keep 'members'? Do they offer more than a cuppa and chat? How are older siblings catered for? Are there baby age limits? Is it specific breastfeeding groups or feeding in general?

Just wondering what would work. If there is noone coming along, it's very possible that the HVs time and the venue wouldn't be funded any longer and it seems a shame to have nothing on offer for those needing a bit of support.

I've been to two different bfing groups. one in a cold, bare church hall, where you can't tell you the peer supporters are, & the bfc hangs around in the corner drinking tea waiting for mothers to approach her. The other one is in a carpeted community centre with lots of peer supporters who come & ask you if you need help even when you come every week. The toddlers can roam around in safety (someone will alway be keeping an eye on them). I prefer the second one.

They are both run by the same charity though, both support (not promote) breastfeeding (they will give advice on FF if required). The bfing groups are heavily promoted by the midwives, they really encourage new mothers to visit, and often attend with the new mothers.

Mothers are encouraged to return to socialise, not just get help.

I go back because I have made some really nice friends. Oh and they often sell homemade cake!

not sure I'm up to making cake these days but that sounds great lol. I like the idea that the mw's come along with new mums. Perhaps chumming new mums along would make them more likely to attend - I'll suggest that. Thanks.

i am breastfeeding counsellor for surestart so our group is held in the childrens centre. we have tried many different things over the last couple of years but sadly, particularly in areas of deprivation there is a very low breastfeeding uptake.

we now only hold our breastfeeding groups monthly

we each have a surestart t-shirt (turquoise) so easily distinguished

tried to run alongside baby massage/weaning group (unsuccessful)

midwives created a welcome pack to be given to new mums to advertise the service.

breastfeeding awareness week (in May) we always hold lots of events, family fun days etc.

i have just recently helped to hand out freebies (pens, leaflets etc) in a high school on their community day. and the school have invited us back to speak to their child development group (15/16 yr olds)

there have been plenty of times when no-one has turned up but we have always made it clear that the emphasis is on the social aspect of coming to the group, not just turning up if you have a problem

i guess the thing is that you have to keep plugging away at it in the hope that if even one mum comes for help then its been a job well done.

Buy the way, have you made sure it doesn't coincide with another baby group?

Thanks - it's the only group on at that time, there isn't much in the area other than toddlers in the mornings. It used to be held just before baby clinic each week, not sure if it was more successful then or not.

I'll put forward the things you'lve both mentioned on here and see what the HVs in charge think. I agree that it's worth keeping going even if it's just for one person now and then. If it wasn't there it would be missed by those people who have wanted a bit of support.

I was looking at this site the other day, about grants for community projects. Could you create an action plan for attracting new mothers e.g. advertising at the hospital/with HVs, coffee and cake mornings, new toys for toddlers etc. and apply for a grant.

Also I forgot to mention my bfing group has a pretty substantial library of bfing/parenting books and leaflets/research papers available to copy/borrow. Some of the books have been donated.