NHS Infant Feeding Support Interview

[shanicep]

I have an interview tomorrow for an infant feeding role. This job would honestly be a vocation for me. I am currenly studying psychology at uni. I have worked in retail for 4 years and I have been volunteering as a breastfeeding peer supporter for 6 months.

I believe it was my passion in my personal statement that got me the interview. I have no idea what to expect but they have asked me to plan part of a 2-hour antenatal presentation on close and responsive mother-baby relationships. I have been doing lots of research on this topic and the trust. I'm making notes to take in with me. Is there anything, in particular, that would help me stand out, please? I really want this job.

Thank you!

I was a breastfeeding counsellor so not quite the same.
I wonder if they would want to know how you understood working in a trauma informed way. I ended up working with a fair few women with past trauma.

I would want to hear from somebody who had worked through their own experience of breastfeeding and wasn't going to project that onto every case she worked on. Your experience would give me confidence that would be the case.

Is it meant to be a presentation for mother’s or just for the interview board? I’d learn it if I were you; the notes look like you don’t know what you’re talking about.

Breastfeeding trauma would be an interesting topic I need my breastfeeding peer supporter training with the NCT where the main focus was on listening, valuing and respecting the mother's journey. It was very important to not allow past experiences to influence the information you give to the mother. We were taught to always provide information when it is needed but not advice.

Sorry I was a little vague. This is what they have asked me to do:

"Please plan a 10-15 minute session on 'The Importance of Close and Responsive Mother-Baby Relationships, within a 2-hour antenatal Breastfeeding Workshop for 25-30 parents-to-be (mostly mothers)', at which you would have access to internet and projector.

You will NOT be asked to deliver the session at the interview, but you will be asked to present and discuss your plan."

I will be taking in notes to present and discuss my plan only. Everything else interview wise I will learn and remember. Thank you.

I'm not sure if this is what youre looking for, but something about recognizing that the 'close and responsive' relationship is not always automatic or without work? And about supporting mother's if they are struggling? I had a crash section with general anaesthetic so did not get to meet our baby for several hours and the first feed was expressed so l struggled with guilt for some time, however thanks to amazing bf support group we are now on 2 years of feeding.

Apologies for the rambling!

I would include infant feeding cues, value of skin to skin, perhaps looks at some of the information on baby friendly and video clips, especially best beginnings. Perhaps something about what support a mother needs to support responsive feeding. I am always inclined to talk why babies cry ie not just physical needs but emotional needs as well. 4th trimester works well.

I'm guessing the PP may mean trauma that occurred previously e.g. with the mother's own parents, making it hard to bond.

As it’s infant feeding and not breastfeeding support you’ll need to be really clear that not all parents choose to BF and that your role isn’t to judge. You’ll need to demonstrate an understanding of safe bottle feeding and how to bottle feed in a responsive way that mimics the benefits of breastfeeding (ie little and often, not loads in one go). Be sympathetic to the fact that different families make different choices and that your role is to offer support and guidance whatever that choice is. Obviously you’ll need to know the benefits of BF and an understanding of the many ways our society can make it tricky. There’s a lovely short video from the Babyfriendly people that talks about that. The main aim would be to normalise BF and support families to make it easier (if that’s what they choose).

Also - you might need to cover the basics of starting solids. I think First Steps Nutrition are the people who know all about that.

Ooh and don’t forget to demonstrate an understanding of diversity - same sex couples, single parents, different cultural norms around feeding. Some ‘female bodied’ people might identify as male so potentially you might be dealing with breastfeeding dads!!

ViolaLucyofTirol

Thank you for that. It has given me some food as I did not consider mentioning mothers who may not been able to be close to their babies immediately after birth or longer is the have a baby in the NICU. I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to mention unexpected birthing outcomes but I do think it would be important for antental classes to tailor to all types of birthing outcomes so that mothers feel informed and hopefully empowered, if the unexpected was to happen. I want it to be positive but also realistic.

What does everyone else think on this?

Thank you MadToBeMe,

I have made notes of most of these topics as they are all very important. I will look up Best Beginnings. I've mentioned how babies feel abandoned when they have been left alone, how breastfeeding is more than just nutrition but also for comfort, how babies cry because they want to be held, cuddled, talked to, interactive with ect... All in relation to why babies cry, which is a crucial topic in being responsive and relationship building.

Yes, drspouse

That would also make sense for the antenatal classes as the majority will be new mothers. I would also be supporting mother 1:1 on the ward shortly after birth with feeding support which is why I thought of mothers who may have tried to breastfeeding previous children but didn't succeed due to not having the right support in place.

I do agree that trauma can have also occurred from the mother's own parent in relation and this can make it difficult for them to bond with their own. I will be mentioning ways a parent can bond with their baby giving them access to external support close to them for when they leave the hospital.

Thank you VashtaNerada

I have been heavily dwelling on whether I should mention bottle feeding as my main role is to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. I am there to inform mother to make the right decision to suit their families needs and if that means they choose to bottle feed then I will support this too. I have taught mothers how to pace bottle feed and bottle feed responsively. I don't want to ignore the fact that there may be mothers who attend the workshop and walk away with the decision that breastfeeding isn't something they would like to do. I also want mothers who choose to formula feed to feel as though they have been given information that will help them to safely bottle feed their babies also.

I am just a little unsure on how to put this across in the interview without sounding like I am promoting formula.

Thank you again VashtaNerada

I completely understand where you are coming from. I do believe the role is mainly focused on breastfeeding support as the job description focus was on breastfeeding but I believe the hospital calls all breastfeeding support as infant feeding support to seem less bias. Those are some very interesting points that I will be researching. I really appreciate it!

I think the way you phrase it is that BF is the most natural way to feed a baby with many benefits but for those mothers who are unable (or simply don’t want to) BF you will be able to support with the bottle feeding in a safe way which supports mother-child bonding. That way it’s clear you’re there to support BF but won’t be judgy about it! I would definitely mention it somewhere - in my experience people who work in this field have often bottle fed themselves and it’s a bit of a sore point! You want to sound practical about the benefits of BF without evangelical IYSWIM. To be honest, it sounds like your experience so far has set you up well. I think you’ll be fine!

VashtaNerada that sounds, thank you so much again. You've given me a lot of ideas and information to research and think about discussing

I think that Vashta has it absolutely perfect there!