Breastfeeding support for mums
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is lending a helping hand to new mums through a Breastfeeding Peer Support programme which has welcomed 10 new volunteer members.
The volunteers are women who have breastfed their own children and who, with specialised training, provide mother-to-mother support to other women who breastfeed.
In partnership with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT), a special event was hosted to celebrate the recent success of the breastfeeding peer support volunteers.
Gerry Bleakney, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement with the PHA in the southern area, said: “The importance of breastfeeding to health and wellbeing is well-proven and research has highlighted the importance of new mums having access to good support and information in the early stages after birth to help build their confidence and overcome any problems they may have.
“Northern Ireland has the lowest breastfeeding rates in UK and one of the lowest in Europe. Peer support volunteers are recognised as having an important role in helping mothers to continue breastfeeding. The peer support service is funded by PHA and complements the work of current breastfeeding support services provided.
“The Southern Trust has been supporting the development of breastfeeding peer support since 2010 and we are delighted to welcome 10 new volunteer members to the network who are there to lend their experience to those who need it.
“The service adheres to regional standards for breastfeeding peer support which give confidence to the mothers using the service as well as the health professionals referring women to the service. There are now a total of 24 Open College Network certified Breastfeeding Peer Supporters in the southern area who now have the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and support breastfeeding in their own community.”
During the event, the 10 Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteers from across the southern area were presented with certificates to mark their achievement of a level two qualification in the Northern Ireland Regional Breastfeeding Peer Support Training Programme through the Open College Network.
The training programme involved assessing both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to be an accredited breastfeeding peer supporter.
One of the new volunteers, Louise McQuaid from Banbridge, explained why she wanted to be a peer supporter: “I breastfed all three of my kids and I just wanted to be able to help other mums through it because it can be quite difficult and challenging, especially if you don’t have the support.
“Through the training I learned far more than I could have ever imagined, from problems that can arise through breastfeeding, to being able to direct mums where to go for help, whether it’s your GP, midwife or health visitor. – I can also give them that bit more confidence that what they’re doing is the best thing.
“Even after having three kids, I’ve done the course and I have learned so much more and it was very beneficial and I would recommend anybody to do the course.”
Mrs Joanne McGlade, Lead Midwife for Community Midwifery services with SHSCT, endorsed the peer support programme and highlighted its role in complementing existing community-based support for breastfeeding mums.
She said: “The peer support scheme enables breastfeeding mothers to receive help and support from another mother who has herself successfully breastfed and is available from within her own community to share her skills and expertise.”
The Peer Supporters work closely with community midwives within the SHSCT who act as mentors, providing regular supervision and support.