Essex Mum’s Become Certified Breastfeeding Support Volunteers

Ten women in south east Essex will be celebrating on 10 March as they receive official certificates enabling them to become breastfeeding
support volunteers. All of the new recruits have spent 14 weeks completing the NHS South East Essex Mum2Mum course to become breastfeeding supporters to encourage other mums to breastfeed while sharing useful advice and skills to give their babies a healthier start to life.

  • WHEN: 10 March
  • TIME: 12pm-3pm
  • WHERE: Temple Sutton children’s centre, Eastern Ave, Southend on Sea

Congratulations to the new volunteers

Lisa Cootes, Chloe Conway, Cathy Bryant, Lisa Rolfe, Crissie Hoyle, Lisa McCrae, Shelley Wright, Jo Johnstone, and the two registered nurses from
the Health Visiting service who also completed the training: Emma Fawkes, Katherine Trevallion.

All of the new breastfeeding support volunteers will all be able to help in many children’s centres and child health clinics, to support mums who
would like to breastfeed their babies. They join many other breastfeeding support volunteers in the area, who support individual mothers, boosting confidence in their ability to successfully breastfeed their babies for as long as they wish.

Breastmilk gives babies all the nutrients they need for the first six months of life and helps protect them from infection and diseases. It also reduces the mother’s chances of getting certain diseases later in life.

Margaret Gray, Associate Director of Public Health at NHS South East Essex said:

“We know that breastfeeding provides many health benefits to mums and babies. But we also know that some mums can find it difficult at first.
Our Mum2Mum volunteers can help by providing valuable support, advice and encouragement.

“I would like to congratulate the latest breastfeeding support volunteers who have recently completed the course and thank them and all the other volunteers for all their hard work and commitment.”

Breastfeeding helps protect a baby against:

  • Ear infections
  • Gastro-intestinal infections
  • Chest infections
  • Urine infections
  • Childhood diabetes
  • Eczema
  • Obesity
  • Asthma

Breastfeeding helps protect mothers against:

  • Ovarian cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Weak bones later in life

Any mums who feel they need support with breastfeeding can ring the Mum2Mum breastfeeding support helpline on: 07801 097605 or 07814 486497.
There are support groups across south east Essex run by the volunteers.

Anyone who may be interested in becoming a breastfeeding support volunteer can ring Pauline Hammond at NHS South East Essex for an informal chat on 07973 672524 or email her at: [email protected]

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