On Thursday 17th September ’09 Crawley Happy Times had the great honour of attending the Peer Supporters Mother 2 Mother Awards at Bewbush Family Centre. 

Any nursing mother will tell you that breastfeeding is not always an easy feat. Unfortunately babies are not born with a natural sense of how to latch on and feed in comfort therefore the feeding process can be stressful for both mother and baby, and sometimes very painful to accomplish. This is where the Peer Supporters from Bewbush Family Centre come in. Rotating on a 24 hour basis these dedicated supporters are on hand to help and advise new mothers on the breastfeeding of their child. Support for fathers is also present. The family unit is the most important foundation in our lives, which is something the Peer Supporters take very seriously,  providing care and support to anyone in the family who may need it.

Tracy Norton, Michelle Neale and Ann-Marie Harvey

Mary Admunds (assistant) and Elaine Fox from Milk, Littlehampton

Sue Austin peer supporter and information assistant

The nine graduates have spent ten weeks on a Peer Supporter Training Course run by West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) covering how breastfeeding works and how to support new mums to breastfeed. The certificate awarded is a recognised qualification and has support from the likes of MP Laura Moffatt and Mayor Brenda Burgess.

Rachel & Kevin Haywood with their beautiful 9 month old son

Mayor Brenda Burgess enjoying the company

Ellie Elkins praising the work of the peer supporters and graduates

All 'The Team' from Bewbush Family Centre, Crawley

Following their graduation, the Peer Supporters will run the local Friday Breast Feeding Cafe in West Green Drive, and the new drop ins at Bewbush, Southgate, Langley Green and Broadfield Children and Family Centres, where anyone, either ante-natally or post-natally can pop in and talk to a Peer Supporter, during the Child Health Clinic. There is always a Health Visitor on hand should professional advice be needed.

We were pleasantly surprised by the amount of woman who were graduating and impressed with the dedication and passion they pass on to other woman who were struggling with breast feeding and of course other related issues which crop up before and after giving birth. The support shown from mother 2 mother, is at times, emotional.

We spoke to Verity Whitton who had successfullybreast fed 2 children and was about to embark with another due soon. “The Cafes were a great support” said Verity. “Without them I am not sure I would have been able to keep going. I wanted to give up on many occasions. This is why I have become a Peer Supporter so I can give something back”.  

Sandra Ackfield is a family outreach worker in Langley Green who was recently given the opportunity to become a Peer Supporter. Sandra told us that although her own children are now 15 and 23, she had terrible trouble when breastfeeding them so could really appreciate the support given by the clinics.

Kinga Bubezsat looking ready to explode with her third child. Kingasaid “I was only able to breastfeed my second child as there was no support offered to me, even though I asked at the hospital after giving birth”.

Mayor Brenda Burgess

MP Laura Moffatt

Andrene Alejandro

Rachel Haywood told us “I noticed a leaflet at the hospital after the midwife had mentioned it so I came to the centre for some support. I felt so strongly about doing something in return that I am now a Peer Supporter myself, and I love it”. Rachel’s husband Kevin was also keen to tell us his views. Kevin said “the support for Rachel and our son has been excellent. Rachel would definitely given up on breastfeeding if it was not for the support she has been given here. I am really pleased as we both feel breast milk is best for our son”.

For any woman who might be considering breast feeding, we would recommend you pop down to one of the clinics named above and have a chat with one of the Peer Supporters. We are certain they will help you with all your questions. Who knows, you might even want to become a Peer Supporter yourself one day