Supporting families, one feed at a time: Join our breastfeeding peer supporter training

Bringing a new baby home is a monumental, life-changing event. While it’s filled with joy, it can also come with challenges, and for many parents, including breastfeeding. It's a natural process, but it doesn't always come naturally, and without a strong support system, it can feel incredibly lonely. That's where breastfeeding peer supporters come in.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new Level 2 Breastfeeding Peer Supporter (BFPS) training, designed to equip passionate individuals with the skills and knowledge to provide vital, non-judgmental support to new families in our community. We are hugely grateful to the Gibbons Trust for funding this opportunity and supporting our dreams to ensure more families get support in those early weeks and months after birth.

This training isn't just about the mechanics of feeding; it's about building compassionate and knowledgeable peer supporters who empower parents. Our course is comprehensive, combining both the physiological and human aspects of supporting families. Over four weeks, we'll dive deep into everything you need to know to become a confident and effective peer supporter.

What our training covers 

We will look at many subjects including anatomy and physiology, health benefits, the role of the peer supporters alongside how to be family centred. The course has a good mix of activities to suit different learning needs, and you will have ongoing tutor support throughout your course.

Our training is structured to give you a complete toolkit, from foundational knowledge to practical, hands-on skills taught by Gill from Babymoon Torbay. This training has been developed by Healthy Babies UK and is constantly being reviewed to make sure the training is up to date and evidence based.

Over the course of 4 weeks we’ll cover:

• The health benefits - we’ll explore the incredible health benefits of breastfeeding for both parent and baby. You’ll understand the science behind it, from nutritional advantages to immunological protection.

• Anatomy, physiology, and practical skills I - We'll cover the anatomy and physiology of lactation, helping you understand how the body makes milk. You’ll also get a practical, hands-on session on positioning and attachment, learning techniques that can make a world of difference for a parent.

• The art of listening -  This is perhaps the most crucial part of the training. Peer support is about more than just giving information; it's about listening. This week, we'll focus on listening skills and how to work with parents. You'll learn how to hold a safe space, validate feelings, and help parents explore their own solutions rather than just offering a one-size-fits-all approach.

• The role of the peer supporter and practical skills II -  We'll clarify the role of the peer supporter, including understanding your boundaries and what is within your scope of practice. This is essential for ensuring both you and the families you support are safe and secure. We'll also have a practical session on expressing and pumping.

Training Dates

Training sessions are in-person and will take place between 10:00-14:30 in Newton Abbot (venue tbc) on the following dates;

Sunday 2nd November

Sunday 9th November

Sunday 16th November

Sunday 23rd November.

You must be available to attend all of the above dates .

Your training will be delivered by Gill Hoult, Breastfeeding Specialist and Tutor for Healthy Babies UK. She has a depth and breadth of experience in infant feeding and baby development, including:

• Breastfeeding Practitioner, Tutor & Peer Support Lead with Healthy Babies UK

• Advanced Birth & Beyond Practitioner (FdA)

Volunteering with The Fourth CIC

Initially, we're looking for BFPS to join us at Nurture and Nest, our group for parents with babies up to 6 months old. We meet every other Monday, 10:00-11:30 at River End, Tuckers Maltings, Newton Abbot.

You will be a great fit as a BFPS if you have previously breastfed and have a warm, welcoming and friendly disposition. You'll be reliable and trustworthy and inclusive and respectful of diverse social, ethical, cultural, and religious backgrounds. You can read the full job description here to know if you're right for the role:

As a BFPS you will volunteer at least once a month at Nurture and Nest. We will cover reasonable travel expenses and you can help yourself to tea, coffee and biscuits whilst you're with us too 🍪☕

You can bring your own baby with you up to when they start walking. Once they reach that stage we would ask that you come on your own. This is so that we are able to keep the group calm and quiet for the little ones who come and that you are able to commit fully to volunteering whilst you're with us.

How to Apply

If you would like to be considered for the role, please fill in the form below. We will then be in touch and we can't wait to work with you!