10th March 2025
The Southern Health and Social Care Trust recently hosted an annual networking and training event for volunteers working as breastfeeding peer support workers.
Held at South Lake Leisure Centre in Craigavon, the event welcomed volunteers who have been supporting breastfeeding mothers over the last year.
Breastfeeding peer support volunteers are local mums who have breastfed their own children and, with specialised training, provide mother-to-mother support.
With consent, new mums can be linked with a peer mum as soon as leaving hospital. They can reach out for support or advice over the phone or if necessary, they arrange to meet at their local breastfeeding support groups.
By sharing their own experience and skills, peer mums help breastfeeding mothers overcome common challenges and encourage them to address any concerns they may have. Studies show that breastfeeding peer support, in partnership with health professionals and support groups, is an effective way to help mothers continue breastfeeding.
Ruth McGowan and Michelle O’Hagan, Trust Community and Maternity Infant Feeding Leads explained:
“This is the third time since the pandemic that we’ve been able to come together and celebrate the incredible work our peer support volunteers do. We were delighted to welcome everyone to this event, promoting breastfeeding and ensuring babies get the best start in life. We currently have 31 breastfeeding volunteers and are eager to expand this number through a volunteer recruitment drive later this year”.
Among the attendees were both existing and newly trained volunteers, peer mentors, health visiting and midwifery mentors, as well as hospital link workers Alicia Lappin and Rebecca McKibbin and volunteer coordinators Karen McCabe and Aine Mulholland.
If you’re interested in becoming a peer support volunteer, please contact karen.mccabe@southerntrust.hscni.net
For additional information on breastfeeding and the Public Health Agency’s ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ scheme, which encourages businesses and public facilities to support breastfeeding families, visit www.breastfedbabies.org