New breastfeeding helpline being launched!

[hunkermunker]

Government-sponsored and everything!

Please feel free to add comments on blog, btw

Good news.

BF counsellors will not be paid. And as for training, it is depepndant within each organisation on volunteer trainers so there is a limited capacity which can be trained. I can't speak for the BFN, but we currently have a waiting list of people who want to start training.

bravo.

hope it gets properly funded, run, publicised etc. if you are all optimistic, then so am i.

Shame they won't be paid, Ilana. I wonder if they ever will in future?

To be paid, they would have to be employees of the NHS and I don't see that every happening.

Looking at who the NHS do pay to promote breastfeeding. THe local HCA I know has pushed at least 4 ladies I know personally onto formula against their own wishes, due to bad advice and her lack of training. (Currently she is being supervised by proper HV, so currently not causing damage)

If the NHS can't even pay for decent training for their current staff, no way could they afford to pay for the long term and continous training I understand the counsellors go though..more the pity.

BE, I hope that more people will ring this number because it'll be seen as something "NHS" - so part of the system that's meant to support them. Part of the reason women don't ring the bf supportlines, I'm sure, is because they don't want to bother people, they don't think they're for women like them, etc, etc - but partly because if they've not had dealings with the bf charities in the past, it can be hard to make the initial contact at the time you need to the most.

I also hope HCPs ring them to check the stuff they're saying... At least you'll be able to ask why they're not giving out the number of the new bf helpline at your group, won't you?

(.)(.)

excellent news. I just hope it gets the publicity it deserves (other than your own of course hunker ) so that BFing women know the resource is out there.

Fingers crossed, LMDB - I'll certainly be telling everyone about it!

I'll keep my eyes peeled for posters at the clinic, doctors surgery etc, and ask why it's not there if I don't see any