Downend Group
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Downend is one of the longest running breastfeeding support groups in South Gloucestershire and has supported hundreds of women over the years.
It is on every Monday except bank holidays.
It is on every Monday except bank holidays.
Rachel
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When I was a new Mum I found going to the Feeding
Friends Group absolutely invaluable. We had a tricky start and I was finding breastfeeding totally overwhelming and was very anxious about my 'milk supply’ (after reading some dross online...) The women at the Downend Group were absolutely wonderful, and gave me all the support I needed to improve milk transfer and continue feeding. They helped me turn feeding from a nightmare scenario to an absolute pleasure. When the opportunity came to become a peer supporter myself I jumped at the chance. It’s a wonderful way to ‘give back’ to the mummy community, and I love it. Rachel, Barnardo's peer supporter |
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I’m Katie, I’m a peer supporter at Downend Feeding Friends. I
completed my training in January 2014. I first came to the group when I was pregnant with my eldest child, three children and 5 years later, I’m still going!! Although I personally didn’t have any feeding issues, I really wanted to help the mummies that did, which is why I did the training and continue to peer support. I’ve also completed training as an ABA infant feeding helper, as part of the University of Bristol trial study, I’m at stay at home Mum to three boys. Katie, Barnardo's peer supporter |
Katie
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Julie
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I volunteer at Downend bf group.
I’m a ‘Nana’ Breastfeeding Peer Supporter! I have three grown-up daughters (I breastfed). They each have their own little ones now (4 grandchildren). I have helped them all along the way with their bf journeys. I decided to learn more on the Barnardo's Training, so that I maybe of help to other local mummies and families, along their journey too. Downend is a lovely welcoming group 😉 Julie, Barnardo's peer supporter |
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I am a trainee breastfeeding counsellor with the association of
breastfeeding mothers. I previously trained as a peer supporter. I have a 3 year old son and live in the Downend area. Charlotte, Barnardo's Peer Supporter |
Charlotte
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What mums say....
"I am really proud to still be breastfeeding a chubby happy baby at 7 months and I’m not sure I’d be doing that if it wasn’t for the support of Downend group, it’s such an accepting friendly atmosphere no question feels too silly. However daunting our week can seem Monday morning in Downend gets it off to a really good start and makes us feel we can cope with anything! Thank you"
"The breastfeeding support groups have been an invaluable source of support to me as a new Mum allowing me to continue breastfeeding through tough times. I think that they are particularly important given cuts to health visitor and children’s centre budgets that have left mums feeling quite vulnerable"
"My son was born in August and I was determined to breastfeed but despite the help of the midwives at southmead, we weren’t getting it. I ended up exclusively pumping for the first two months but this was taking its toll on me and we had to supplement a few times with formula when I couldn’t pump, which (I know it’s silly but) really upset me.
I found out about the group and decided to go despite being worried because it was a breastfeeding group, and I wasn’t technically breastfeeding, I was bottle feeding.
That didn’t matter.
Everyone was absolutely lovely and I was made to feel very welcome. So welcome that I ended up crying in the first session when recalling how hard it was to pump and how much I wanted to breastfeed.
I attended the group a couple of times more and was eventually put forward for a lactation specialist referral.
We were recommended to use a nipple shield due to an asymmetry of his neck and he was feeding!
Two months later (Christmas) and he decided he didn’t need that anymore and we’re 100% breastfeeding.
He’s 7 months old and we’re still going strong
The group is the reason I didn’t give up, they supported me through the tough time I was having and got me on the path to my breastfeeding dream.
I’m so very grateful for all that they do. I wouldn’t have got here without them. Thank you"
"I am really proud to still be breastfeeding a chubby happy baby at 7 months and I’m not sure I’d be doing that if it wasn’t for the support of Downend group, it’s such an accepting friendly atmosphere no question feels too silly. However daunting our week can seem Monday morning in Downend gets it off to a really good start and makes us feel we can cope with anything! Thank you"
"The breastfeeding support groups have been an invaluable source of support to me as a new Mum allowing me to continue breastfeeding through tough times. I think that they are particularly important given cuts to health visitor and children’s centre budgets that have left mums feeling quite vulnerable"
"My son was born in August and I was determined to breastfeed but despite the help of the midwives at southmead, we weren’t getting it. I ended up exclusively pumping for the first two months but this was taking its toll on me and we had to supplement a few times with formula when I couldn’t pump, which (I know it’s silly but) really upset me.
I found out about the group and decided to go despite being worried because it was a breastfeeding group, and I wasn’t technically breastfeeding, I was bottle feeding.
That didn’t matter.
Everyone was absolutely lovely and I was made to feel very welcome. So welcome that I ended up crying in the first session when recalling how hard it was to pump and how much I wanted to breastfeed.
I attended the group a couple of times more and was eventually put forward for a lactation specialist referral.
We were recommended to use a nipple shield due to an asymmetry of his neck and he was feeding!
Two months later (Christmas) and he decided he didn’t need that anymore and we’re 100% breastfeeding.
He’s 7 months old and we’re still going strong
The group is the reason I didn’t give up, they supported me through the tough time I was having and got me on the path to my breastfeeding dream.
I’m so very grateful for all that they do. I wouldn’t have got here without them. Thank you"