Try to remember you are learning how to do something new! Telling your family and friends that you want to breastfeed, and getting their support, will help you succeed. It can be really helpful to have someone who knows about breastfeeding sit with you as you feed your baby. If the helper can be there from before you start to when your baby has finished feeding, this is most helpful.

Your midwife or health visitor can do this for you, however there are also other options.

You might like to visit your local Support Group. Whether you have a question you'd like to ask, a problem you need help with or you just want to get out of the house, support groups are a great way to get to know Peer Supporters and other breastfeeding mum's. For further information please see the “Support Groups” section of this website.

Breastfeeding Peer Supporters are women all with one thing in common - we live locally and breastfed our babies and want to support others who wish to do the same.

What do Breastfeeding Peer Supporters do?
1. We pass on our knowledge and skills: we know breastfeeding is natural, but it doesn’t always come naturally, it is a skill that can be learnt and taught and like all skills it can take time to become confident at it.
2. We encourage other women: we know that women succeed more and breastfeed longer when surrounded by other breastfeeding women and people who are positively encouraging you in your choice to give breastfeeding a go.
3. We offer support: we’re here to support mums who choose to breastfeed whether it is for 1 day or beyond a year. It's your choice and we will support you along the way.

Your local Breastfeeding Peer Supporter is only a phone call away and may also be able to visit you while you feed. Your midwife or health visitor can provide you with the name and phone number of a local supporter, or pick up a leaflet at your local Support Group.

Please feel free to post a message in our Chat Forum if you would like to speak to a Peer Supporter online.

Here are some of the team from Hemsworth & Ackworth:
Breastfeeding peer supporters

How to contact a Peer Supporter
bullet Visit the Cedars Children's Centre and Pick up a contact details leaflet.
bullet Call The Cedars Children's Centre on 01977 722215 and ask for a peer supporters number.
bullet Come a long to one of our Friday Drop in Sessions.
bullet Post in our chat forum.