Talk to me about BF peer supporter/counsellor training

[jemjabella]

What's involved, costs, time required, best people to do it with (LLL, NCT etc)?

It's something I've been thinking about for a while, just need to get ass into gear!

Well I struggled to find anywhere doing it, have been trying since DS was about 1 and he's now 3 (I've just done it, finished in March I think).
Did it via SureStart with the NCT. Course focussed almost exclusively on listening skills. We're still getting all the admin (CRB checks etc) sorted, and then I think the plan is to visit the PN ward, bf groups, antenatal clinics etc

I did look at doing ti through the ABM but I asked one of the HVs at SureStart to be my referee and it kind of got lost in the process.
The time - it was 8 weeks for 2 hours a week and I think it could have been more.

Thanks

I've got in touch with the breastfeeding network and they're going to send me info on their peer supporter stuff, just want to compare before I commit to anything. Will look in to the SureStart/NCT combo thing.

I did my training through my local surestart children's centre, it wasn't NCT training, not sure what course it was, I got a certificare which says something to do with NHS, so I don't know.

It was a good course though, free, 16 hours, free creche as well, informal but also informative, and they seem to be doing a lot now to get the peer support groups etc off the ground, even setting up a local helpline so that people can get help on the phone and have it followed up with face to face support at one of the centres.

La Leche League are running something called 10 new groups. Basically, if you are in an area with no group then they will fund your training & support you to run one.

If there is a group in your area go along and chat to the leader. They can go through the pre-application with you and put you forward for leadership training (bf counseller training). There is a cost with this but I think it's about £100. I'm not certain though. You can then co-lead the exisiting group, answer calls from the helpline, email and do face to face support.

A good place to start is the LLL GB website/ thinking of leadership. Will post a link later (posting from phone).

Time required varies with LLL, you can take as long as you need/fit it around your family etc but they say 6months to a year.

With 10 new groups I think they expect he group to be up and running in 6 months.