NINE volunteers have completed a breast feeding peer support programme to help new mums in the Island establish and continue breastfeeding their children.
The volunteers, all women, have undertaken extensive training since June under the new Department of Health initiative.
They are designed to complement the existing midwifery and health visitor support already available.
Head of midwifery Jane Sloane said: "I am very excited that the first group of peer support volunteers have completed their training and are ready to support new and expectant mums who are establishing breast feeding.
"At first about 60 percent of new mothers' breastfeed which we aim to raise to over 70 percent. After six weeks the percentage who breastfeed drops to about 40 percent which we aim to raise to 60 percent."
Volunteers underwent training sessions on breast feeding knowledge which included anatomy and physiology of breast feeding, practical breast feeding skills, and overcoming breast feeding difficulties.
They also covered communication, confidentiality, accountability and setting boundaries and health and safety and safeguarding issues.
Health Minister David Anderson MHK said: "The Department of Health always welcomes support from the local community and the breast feeding peer support programme is an excellent example of collaborative working at its finest.
"The health benefits of breastfeeding are well established and so I would like to acknowledge the valuable help that this group of volunteers and others that we will train in the future will provide to expectant and nursing mothers who wish to breastfeed their baby."
Volunteers Stephanie Kelsey, Julie Sansbury, Beverley Rowlands, Julie Stoutt, Claire Wylie, Lynsey Larkham, Gillian Churcher and Ruth Quillin were presented with certificates of achievement today (Monday).
The Department of Health will be recruiting more volunteers throughout the rest of the year for the next breast feeding peer support programme.
To find out more contact Barbara Roberts by email at Barbara.Roberts@gov.im or telephone 07624 416266.
