Since it was launched during Breast Feeding Awareness week in June, Scartho Children’s Centre’s Breast Feeding Support Drop-in has gone from strength to strength.

Each week it regularly attracts more than half a dozen women to its information, advice and support sessions. The drop-in is led by Lydia Gibb and Jane Tomlinson who are two mums that attend the centre. They are passionate about the benefits of breast feeding and have undertaken the peer support training to be able to offer advice, information and support to any other mums who need it.   

Peer Supporters are volunteers who have experience of successful breastfeeding. They have also completed further Breastfeeding training. They can give confidential, practical support and information to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers and can sign post to professional support if required. 

Kathy Holmes, North East Lincolnshire Infant Feeding Co-ordinator, said: “The success of the Scartho Breast Feeding drop-in is a testament to the enthusiasm and dedication of the staff and peer supporters who lead the group and who provide support to the mothers (and families) that attend. It has only been running a short time, but it’s fantastic that it is already so well attended.   

“Mother’s milk is known to have a wide range of benefits to both the mother and the child. Promoting and supporting mothers to breastfeed means we are helping the children in North East Lincolnshire to have the best possible start in life.”  

There are a total of ten breastfeeding groups within the North East Lincolnshire locality. Women and their families can meet other women who are or have breastfed in informal and friendly settings for information, advice and support. 

Anyone interested in training to become a peer supporter should contact Nunsthorpe and Bradley Park Children’s centre which is running another peer support Training programme starting January 07 2011 between 1.00pm – 3.00pm.  

To find out about the other services Children’s Centres offer or to locate your nearest peer support group contact the Family Information Services freefone helpline on: 0800 18 303 17