I provide parents with infant feeding information and support both antenatally and postnatally.
I breastfed my eldest for 14 months, and allowed my youngest to self-wean, which she did so gradually that I'm not entirely sure when her last feed was. Although it was certainly well past the World Health Organisation's recommended minimum, of two years of age. I really enjoyed breastfeeding both my children, and decided I wanted to offer new parents the support they need to overcome any difficulties and enjoy what can be a very rewarding experience.
I trained as an NCT breastfeeding peer supporter, as well as undertaking some infant feeding training with Mother & Baby International, before training with the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM) to become a Breastfeeding Counsellor.
Over the years I have volunteered at several breastfeeding support groups, and helped to set up and run BOOBS (previously known as Swindon Extended Breastfeeding Support), which is specifically for those breastfeeding children aged 12 months and older. Currently I run with a free support group in Devizes, as well as helping run one in Swindon. I also volunteer answering calls on the National Breastfeeding Helpline.
Every few months I run a free, antenatal feeding information evening, as part of
Optimum Bumps. During these sessions breastfeeding parents come along to share their experiences and allow expectant parents to see them breastfeed their babies.
A fully qualified Breastfeeding Counsellor or International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) are by far the best people to seek help from, if you are experiencing breastfeeding difficulties.
Breastfeeding Counsellors are parents, who have breastfed themselves and have undergone extensive training in supporting others who wish to breastfeed. They work predominantly in a voluntary capacity, running support groups, manning telephone helplines, working on postnatal wards or doing home visits.
IBCLCs are usually health care professionals and specialise in the clinical management of breastfeeding. They may work for the NHS or they may have a private practice. Access to NHS employed IBCLCs is free but the cost for consultations with private IBCLCs varies. A few IBCLCs offer their services for free, on a voluntary basis.
If you need support with feeding, you can to speak to a Breastfeeding Counsellor, on the National Breastfeeding Helpline, which is open from 9:30am until 9:30pm every day of the year. The number is 0300 100 0212.
If you feel that you need in-person support, there are several free options, available locally.
Swindon Breastmates
Swindon Breastmates, which is managed by NHS Swindon, run informal drop-in groups. These groups are run by parents who are not only trained in breastfeeding support, but who have breastfed (or in many cases who still are breastfeeding) their own children. You don't have to be having any breastfeeding problems in order to attend. In fact you don't even need to be breastfeeding, yet. Expectant parents are not only welcome, but positively encouraged, to come along and ask any questions they may have on the subject. And what's more, there is often cake.
Currently there are groups at Christ Church Community Centre, from 10am until 12pm, on Tuesdays and at the Swindon Parenting Hub, by Abbeymeads Primary School from 10am until 12pm, on Thursdays.
For more information, please visit the Swindon Breastmates Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/SwindonBreastmates
Some of those volunteering at the Breastmates groups have set up a closed Facebook group, called 'Swindon Breastmates (Breastfeeding Support)'. Here parents and expectant parents can ask questions and get support from each other, in the privacy of their own homes, at any time of day or night. This is an unofficial group and is not officially associated with the NHS.
To request to join the group, please visit:
www.facebook.com/groups/swindonbreastmates
Wiltshire Breastfeeding Support
Wiltshire Breastfeeding Support has recently been set up by the ABM. In North Wiltshire, there are currently groups running in Chippenham, Devizes and Calne.
The Chippenham group runs on Mondays from 10am until 11:30am, at the Family Hub, on Station Hill.
Those volunteering at the Chippenham group have set up a closed Facebook group called 'Chippenham Breastfeeding Support and Chatter'. It is a place for breastfeeding mothers and pregnant mothers, who are planning to breastfeed, from Chippenham and the surrounding area, to chat about the highs and lows of breastfeeding and access support with feeding issues.
To request to join the group, please visit:
www.facebook.com/groups/427966887372533
I run the Devizes group on Fridays, from 1pm until 2:30pm, in
Optimum Corner.
The Calne group runs on Wednesdays, from 1pm until 2:30pm, in the Lansdowne Strand.
We did have a Melksham group running on Thursdays, but due to not having enough volunteers, we cannot currently do so. We hope to re-start it again in the near future.
You do not need to be having a problem with feeding in order to attend any of these groups. You can attend simply to chat with other parents. You can even attend if your baby hasn't been born yet. But of course, if you do feel the need for feeding support, that is the group's main purpose, so just ask.
We have our own Facebook page and closed Facebook group, called 'Devizes, Melksham and Calne Breastfeeding Support'. Here parents and expectant parents can ask questions and get support from each other, in the privacy of their own homes, at any time of day or night, as well as keep up-to-date with any changes to the running of the in-person support.
To request to join the group, please visit:
www.facebook.com/groups/devizesbreastfeedingsupport
And for more information, please visit the Devizes, Melksham and Calne Breastfeeding Support Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/DevizesMelkshamCalneFeedingSupport
West Swindon Family Hub
As part of the West Swindon Family Hub, myself and fellow Breastfeeding Counsellor Elena Rossi (who also happens to be an IBCLC) run a free, drop-in breastfeeding support session, at Toothill Church, on Mondays from 10am until 11:30am.
For more information on the Hub, please visit the West Swindon Family Hub Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/WestSwindonFamilyHub