Who are we?
The South Gloucestershire Breastfeeding Support Service is commissioned by South Gloucestershire Council and has been delivered by Barnardo's since 2011.
The service has changed and adapted over time dependant on local provisions and needs of the county.
The service has changed and adapted over time dependant on local provisions and needs of the county.
What do we do?
Our service manages all of the breastfeeding support groups in South Gloucestershire. They are mainly held in Children's centres in areas where the breastfeeding rates are low. There are some exceptions.
Breastfeeding Councellors attend as many groups as possible to support women, breastfeeding people and their families. In addition, volunteer breastfeeding peer supporters attend every group each week.
For families needing even more support, the service offers further guidance from a Breastfeeding Counsellor of 28 years experience and recently retired Lactation Consultant.
We oversee numerous volunteer lead breastfeeding support groups on Facebook.
Breastfeeding Councellors attend as many groups as possible to support women, breastfeeding people and their families. In addition, volunteer breastfeeding peer supporters attend every group each week.
For families needing even more support, the service offers further guidance from a Breastfeeding Counsellor of 28 years experience and recently retired Lactation Consultant.
We oversee numerous volunteer lead breastfeeding support groups on Facebook.
What has been our COVID19 response?
At the start of the pandemic in 2020 we had to close our breastfeeding groups immediately. Very quickly we adapted our service to be able to continue to offer support to families via online 1:1s, video groups and whatsapp chats.
We started to open our breastfeeding groups in May 2021 in the venues where social distancing can be supported. We require booking in advance to limit numbers, keep rooms ventilated and request the use of sanitiser. In venues without a dedicated cleaner, we sanitise surfaces, chairs, toilets etc.
We continue to request families wear masks on arrival and when moving around. Our staff and volunteers model this behaviour and wear a mask if getting closer than 2 metres to offer support.
We have learned the value of offering a variety of support options and are still offering some 1:1s and whatsapp chats in addition to groups.
We started to open our breastfeeding groups in May 2021 in the venues where social distancing can be supported. We require booking in advance to limit numbers, keep rooms ventilated and request the use of sanitiser. In venues without a dedicated cleaner, we sanitise surfaces, chairs, toilets etc.
We continue to request families wear masks on arrival and when moving around. Our staff and volunteers model this behaviour and wear a mask if getting closer than 2 metres to offer support.
We have learned the value of offering a variety of support options and are still offering some 1:1s and whatsapp chats in addition to groups.
What are our qualifications?
Our Volunteer Breastfeeding Peer Supporters: have all either completed our in house training course (approx 30 hours) or a course by an outside agency for example 'Mother Supporter' through the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers. We offer our volunteers regular supervision, support and update training. All volunteers have an enhanced DBS.
Our Breastfeeding Councellors (BFCs): are qualified through UK charities including ABM, LLL and NCT. Our BFCs receive regular supervision, training and CPD.
Our Breastfeeding Councellors (BFCs): are qualified through UK charities including ABM, LLL and NCT. Our BFCs receive regular supervision, training and CPD.
What are the limitations to our service?
Due to time constraints, we can not: Offer home visits or offer 1 to 1 telephone conversations/video calls outside of the available appointments.
We do not: Offer advice.
We are not: Medical - we do not offer medical advice.
We DO: Share up to date, evidence based information in a parent centred way so that we may support and empower families with feeding their babies. This includes combination feeding with formula milk, expressing, using donor milk and ending breastfeeding.
We do not: Offer advice.
We are not: Medical - we do not offer medical advice.
We DO: Share up to date, evidence based information in a parent centred way so that we may support and empower families with feeding their babies. This includes combination feeding with formula milk, expressing, using donor milk and ending breastfeeding.