8:00am Monday 15th March 2010
BREAST is best for your newborn baby, but is not always the easiest option for new mums to try, particularly in the days after giving birth.
However, a band of volunteers, all mums themselves, are helping to support mothers through those crucial first days breastfeeding their babies.
The latest group of breastfeeding support volunteers have just completed a 14-week Mum2Mum course run by NHS South East Essex.
Their main aim is to encourage other mums to breastfeed while sharing useful advice and skills to give their babies a healthier start to life.
Eight mums, along with Emma Fawkes and Katherine Trevallion, registered nurses from the health visitor service, have finished the training and received their certificates at a reception held at Temple Sutton Children’s Centre in Southend.
All of the new breastfeeding support volunteers will be able to help in children’s centres and child health clinics.
They are Lisa Cootes, Chloe Conway, Cathy Bryant, Lisa Rolfe, Crissie Hoyle, Lisa McCrae, Shelley Wright and Jo Johnstone.
The group joins many other volunteers working in the area running support groups with advice, tips, and even suggestions about how to feed discreetly in public.
By working with the hospital the volunteers also receive referrals of new mums who leave the hospital with the intention of breastfeeding who may require further support.
Pauline Hammond, clinical lead children’s services at NHS South East Essex, who runs the courses, said: “We know breastfeeding provides many health benefits to mums and babies. But we also know some mums can find it difficult at first. Our Mum2Mum volunteers can help by providing valuable support, advice and encouragement.
Any mums who feel they need support with breastfeeding can ring the Mum2Mum breastfeeding support helpline on 07801 097605 or 07814 486497.
To find out how to become a volunteer, ring Pauline Hammond on 07973 672524 or e-mail pauline.hammond@see pct.nhs.uk
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