Becoming a breastfeeding peer supporter

[amitymama]

I'd like to lend my support to other breastfeeding mums, particularly first-timers or those having problems. Does anyone know if the NCT or LLL have a peer training programme that I can join? Has anyone here done it? If so, what is it like and what can I expect?

They all do training programmes.
I'm waiting to do one with the baby cafe at the moment have you tried them?

There is the NCT this is who tiktok is with iirc, the abm and La Leche.
It all depends how much you want to learn, how much time you can give and who is doing the most nearest to you.

Personally I'd be inclined to call the helplines (numbers on my profile) and see how many local counsellors there are, then go with the one with the least as some people will only try one helpline and give up if there is no-one in their area.

VS - you're right, I am an NCT bfc. But your other info is not quite right, sorry.

I am a breastfeeding counsellor, not a peer supporter. Bfcs train for a long time - usually about 3 years - but peer supporters do 10-12 2 hour long sessions over the same no. of weeks. NCT do have a peer support training course in a few areas, but there are a number of other courses available. Amity - ask in your area what there is. Any competent HV or midwife should know how to find out this info.

Ringing the helplines will not reveal local coverage - NCT (and I think the other helplines) do not organise call-taking on a locality basis. You might call from London, and get a response from a counsellor hundreds of miles away.

Really? Ah, I've never called one, all I know is when my friend had to call some she was told there were no counsellors available in her area for a home visit.

Thanks VS and tiktok. So does it cost anything to do the training sessions? What kind of support would I be trained to give after completing them? Is it more for moral/emotional support or would I be giving practical advice as well?

That may be true - there are holes in several parts of the country

I see what you mean - call the helpline and ask direct if there are counsellors? OK, that would make sense, as the counsellors who take calls will have a list of their own organisation's counsellors. But they don't have lists of other organisations.

The other thing is that in areas where there are no counsellors, it may be there are no tutors either - so no training going on

It is far easier and quicker to train as a peer supporter,though - far more training going on, in most areas of the UK, too.

amity, most peer support training concentrates on friendship, social support and listening, though there will be a basic understanding of how bf works. You should be supported afterwards with regular top up training and meetings. You do not pay to train.

NCT bfc training trains you to a higher and deeper level. YOu can find out more about the training by contacting [email protected] . There is a booklet about it, and they can send you an electronic copy.

There are several other counsellor training options with other organisations.

Hope you find what suits you