Breastfeeding Awareness Week

Loved breastfeeding? Get a job working to support other breastfeeding mums.

We've had a look at some of the jobs available within breastfeeding and have spoken to some of the women currently working in this area.

Meet Wendy Makin, a trained breastfeeding peer supporter below:

Wendy Makin lives in St.Agnes, Cornwall with her 3 children - William (8), Kerryn (4) and Nicholas (2) and her husband Bill.

What inspired you to become a breastfeeding peer supporter?

Before having my children I always presumed breastfeeding was something that would come very easily. I'd always been exposed to really positive images of breastfeeding from my sisters with their babies and my mum is a big advocate. When I had my first child William I simply presumed it would come naturally and be easy - I was in for a shock! Breastfeeding was harder than I realised and I struggled to feed easily and happily. When I was pregnant with Kerryn I decided to take matters in to my own hands and sought out some education about breastfeeding and labour and birth through an NCT Antenatal course. When Kerryn was born I used all my new knowledge and from day one feeding her was amazing - easy and smooth with no problems. My confidence soared and it was a hugely rewarding experience. I want other women to have my second experience rather than my first.

How did you hear about becoming a peer supporter?

I was known in my local community amongst the midwives, health visitors and maternity support worker as a mum who'd had positive breastfeeding experiences and who had overcome problems to go on and feed successfully. When they were recruiting new breastfeeding peer supporters they contacted me and asked me if I'd like to become one.

What did your training involve?

The course was great, it was an 8 week course made up of afternoon sessions of around 2 hours. There were free creche facilities which made it very easy to attend. During the training we learnt about the physiology of the breast and how breastfeeding works physically, about the political and socio-economic positive reasons for breastfeeding and all about positioning and correct attachment techniques. The group was made up of other mums and was a very supportive and safe learning environment. We had time to reflect on our own breastfeeding experiences and to de-brief our own issues. I felt that I learnt a lot about the 'technical' aspects of feeding but also a lot about myself and why I'd made my own individual decisions etc. When you have completed the course you are given a certificated to show you are a qualified peer supporter.

What does a breastfeeding peer supporter do?

We volunteer in the community working to support breastfeeding women. I attend my local breastfeeding group on a regular basis alongside other breastfeeding peer supporters and health professionals.

The local group I go along to is attended by mums who are both breastfeeding and bottle feeding, in other places around the UK there are different types of groups, some of which may be for breastfeeding mums exclusively. When working in the group peer supporters wear t-shirts which identify us and our role is to introduce ourselves to new members and to basically talk to the mums and see if we can be a listening ear for any problems or feeding issues they may be having.

Our approach is very much hands on, but hands off - so we will approach women and chat, but don't offer directional guidance but offer support and listen so that women come to their own decisions. We are very much women-led and aim to be neutral and non-biased.

What do you like about being a breastfeeding peer supporter?

It is a great job. I love the fact that it fits in well with my own life, I take Nicholas along to the group with me and he enjoys playing with the other children there. I really enjoy supporting other women and am passionate about trying to make sure everyone has a positive experience of breastfeeding. Being a peer supporter has boosted my confidence and has inspired to me to train as an NCT Antenatal teacher.

Going on the 8 week course was a really good stepping stone to move from thinking of myself as a stay-at-home mum towards thinking of returning to working life. I've also made some fantastic new friends within the group and among the other peer supporters and working amongst health professionals has given me a lot of exposure to an area of work that I'd never thought of before.

Would you recommend becoming a breastfeeding peer supporter to other mums?

Yes, definitely. It is a very rewarding role and is a great bridge back to working life. If you feel you've lost any of your confidence since becoming a mum then this can be a great way to boost your self-esteem and looks fantastic on your CV. Plus, on top of all the personal benefits you know you are improving the life of other mums and their babies at a crucial time.

To find out more about training as a breastfeeding peer supporter great places to start are your local community midwives, health visitors and SureStart children's centres. Courses are usually run locally.