Local Breastfeeding 'BABES'

[Clydesdale]

Thought you might be interested to see the new group formed at Scunthorpe General Hospital

www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk/news/Babes-breast-best-health/article-1930985-detail/article.html

Why can't more do things like this??

"REVOLUTIONARY breastfeeding support scheme is making a huge difference to new and expectant mothers in North Lincolnshire.
After completing an intensive training programme, 11 breastfeeding peer supporters are now providing a vital role on maternity and pre-natal wards at Scunthorpe General Hospital.
Now known as BABES, (Babies and Breastfeeding Extra Support), the volunteers offer guidance and support to mothers learning to breastfeed and raise awareness of the huge breastfeeding benefits.
Peer supporter Nicola Henthorn, 29, of Whitewell Close in Kirton-In-Lindsey, said the role is extremely rewarding.
"I breastfed two of my children for six months, but I would have carried on if I had received more help and support," she said.
"I really wanted to help new and expectant mothers because it can be an emotional time and you need lots of back-up and guidance to make things as easy as possible.
"The peer supporters began visiting the maternity ward a couple of months ago and we are already making a big difference."
Mother-of-three, Nicola, spends around eight hours a week visiting the hospital.
She explained the main role of a breastfeeding peer supporter.
"When we go into the wards we help mothers learn about the most suitable positioning and help them with attachment," she said.
"We ask any questions or worries they may have and help them if they have any problems.
"We also run a 24-hour helpline so they can call us anytime."
"Some expectant mothers are unsure how they are going to feed, so we talk about their options.
"Some mothers have told us what a big difference we have made ? which is our main aim."
Nicola's four-year-old daughter Melody designed the logo which will be used on BABES leaflets, booklets, uniforms, keyrings and magnets to raise the group's profile."

We could do more things like this, but you would struggle to get 12 mothers training and working voluntarily in most areas

Why Babes, it sounds so lads mags I wish they'd stop this poster girl type campaigns because I don't think they are very appealing to their target audience anyway.
And who is paying for these keyrings, uniforms etc.
Could we not just employ an extra midwife to actually do what they are medical qualified to do instead ?

MMM, employing an extra MW is a great idea, but soon enough, her 'role' would be swallowed up into other MWifey duties and it would be forgotten very quickly. At least with 'ordinary' Mums trained soley in helping with bfing new Mums etc, no one could get them delivering babies instead don't you think?

But I think MMM's point was that we are short on midwives anyway.

They are trying to roll something similar out where I live, all related to sure start but a lot of it is volunteer run. I am on the peer support course at the moment and the hospital ward support and a helpline have been mentioned. I think it is a good initiative (not sure about the name Babes though!)

we have this too

they visit the maternity ward every morning, every new mother gets a call within 48hrs of discharge from hospital to inform them about the service and see if they need any help. They also have a helpline and do home visits.

Paid for jointly by Surestart and the PCT

You see I know somebody who did train for exactly this role and frankly the mums who would have breast fed anyway, didn't like the fact that she was a very lovely but unqualified person and those who she could have helped the most sneered at her because again she wasn't in a position to boss them around unlike the midwives.
She gave up in the end as she couldn't seem to win.
It's a good idea but you feel it somewhat takes away the responsibility of the NHS to pull their finger out and provide post natal support.

Thanks for posting this Clydesdale - I am one of a group of newly trained bf peer supporters nearby in S Yorks and the health team and staff involved are trying to work out how we can best provide support.

Bf rates are very low in this region, although they are improving. The problem with schemes like the one in Scunthorpe is funding them and getting people to devote the enormous amounts of time they need to make a real difference. I'm intrigued to know how a mum of 3 can spend 8 hours volunteering!

There was a scheme attached to the hospital in my area when I had DD 4 years ago, but this has since folded due to - guess what? - lack of funding. IMO bf support needs to begin in hospital to be of most use - trained people to watch you feed and stay for the entire feed. COmmunity support is great, but if your drop-in clinic is once a week, what happens if you need support outside those hours?

I'll pass the article onto the team who trained us. Thanks again.

By boss them around I mean tell them to come out of the TV room and come and fed their howling baby or no going down for a fag isn't allowed right now because you've literally just given birth.

That's quite wrong though that HCA are the ones being left to "help out" with something so important.

And I also disagree that mw's couldn't reach those women, generally mw's are treated as gods in maternity wards, if they had the time I'm sure they could gently persuade breast feeding in plenty of women.
I know at least 2 members of my immediate family who liked the idea but somehow it never happened.