Successful Appeal Doubles Team to Support Breastfeeding Mums

The number of breastfeeding peer supporters is about to be doubled at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital following a successful appeal.

More than 170 mums applied to be volunteers and of those 20 were interviewed and 16 selected for training. This more than doubles the current 14 peer supporters. The training for the new peer supporters is being funded by the Neonatal Unit.

The new volunteers will soon begin training then start their work on the maternity wards in April.

Infant feeding co-ordinator Luisa Lyons said “We were overwhelmed with the wonderful response we received. It was very hard selecting just 20 to interview. All the applications have been kept on file in case future funding can be secured and more places offered.”

Luisa said they were also delighted that they have been able to expand the project to offer breastfeeding support to families on the Neonatal Unit. “Five of our experienced peer support volunteers have had additional training and will be supporting these families at a particularly challenging time with support for expressing their milk effectively. They will also offer a listening ear in addition to the support given by the NICU nursing team.”