Mum4Mum in Marlborough
New mums in Marlborough can now access free one-on-one support with breastfeeding thanks to the new Mum4Mum programme.
Mum4Mum, like the name suggests, provides new mothers with help from other mothers who have been through it all before.
Mum4Mum administrator Shelly McCormick said each volunteer had completed a training course to prepare them as peer counsellors and were set to graduate this week.
The five-week course, along with their own breastfeeding experiences, qualifies the women to offer support, encouragement and advice to new breastfeeding mothers in a non-clinical setting.
“This is a great free service that helps mothers connect with other mothers and provide support, advice and stories,” she said.
“These mums are not professionals – they’ve had their own issues while breastfeeding and worked through them.
“That’s a valuable feature of this programme. It’s mums who are passionate about breastfeeding, giving up their time to help other mums who are going through the same things.
Mum4Mum is a free service made possible with funding from the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board’s Nutrition and Physical Activity programme (NPA). The service has also been made available in Motueka and Nelson to support mothers to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months.
Mum4Mum administrator Annie Thompson, who trained all the volunteers, said the service is available to all breastfeeding mothers.
“Sometimes mums can feel uncomfortable going to a clinician to ask for help, but this takes the sterile feel out of. It’s literally mums just being there for other mums,” Annie said.
“They might just need someone to talk to, to give them a pat on the back, or encouragement and reassurance.
“Mums can access the service face to face in their own home, over the phone or by email – whatever works for them.”
Marlborough Breastfeeding coordinator Barbara Ryan said the service was about empowering new mothers.
“It’s about mums who have successfully breastfed their own babies, supporting other mums and answering their questions and also sharing experiences,” she said.
“To hear from other mums rather than from a health professional, can make it more personal.
“This is a real asset to the community.”
As the Mum4Mum service grows, Shelly and Annie will continue to train volunteers to work as peer counsellors. If you are passionate about breastfeeding and would like to help new mums overcome their struggles, please call 0277 809 269.
Mothers can access the service via phone/txt 0277 809 269.
