Posted on Tuesday 2nd November 2010
A group of West Cumbrian parents have successfully completed a course to help new mums learn about the benefits of breastfeeding.
Seventeen women have qualified as breastfeeding peer support mentors after completing a six-week training course in Workington, run in association with children’s charity Action for Children.
The mothers are volunteers who have given up their own time because they believe so passionately in the benefits of breastfeeding. The plan is that these women will now be able to support other new mums, offering advice at antenatal classes and clinics and being an informal point of contact to answer any queries or concerns.
Sharon Rogan, infant feeding co-ordinator at West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, paid tribute to the mentors. “These are volunteers who have breastfed and seen the benefits both to their babies and to themselves. They volunteered to do a six-week mum-to-mum training course and have now all qualified.
“It’s a credit to them. They are such advocates of breastfeeding. They have all got their own story to tell as to why they wanted to do this.”
Stephanie Crosthwaite, Action for Children’s Locality Manager in Workington, says the organisation is proud to have been involved in the scheme: “Action for Children is delighted to have been able to facilitate such a worthwhile project at our children’s centre in Workington.
“Breastfeeding can seem daunting to new mums and the opportunity to seek advice from someone who has been through the same experiences will be invaluable to many families in our local community.”
The 17 women, who are from Workington, Flimby and Maryport, will be presented with certificates to mark their achievement on Monday 8 November at 11.30am at the Minto Centre in Workington.