Māmā-2-Māmā breastfeeding peer counsellors are trained to provide breastfeeding support and basic breastfeeding information to mothers.
Peer counsellors have graduated from a programme based on the La Leche League New Zealand, Aotearoa peer counsellor programme and complete up to 24 hours of breastfeeding education provided by our Peer Counsellor Administrator. A breastfeeding peer counsellor programme has the potential to increase the numbers of women who start breastfeeding, improve exclusivity of breastfeeding rates and improve duration of breastfeeding rates. Breastfeeding peer counsellors become advocates for breastfeeding in the community.
This increase in breastfeeding rates will reduce the numbers of babies getting sick, reduce the hospital admission rates and contribute positively to longer term health targets such as a reduction in obesity rates and diabetes and heart disease later in life. It will also contribute significantly to the well-being and health of mothers and offer some protection from depression, breast and ovarian cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis.
The overriding aim of training peer counsellors for breastfeeding is to build capacity within communities for women to support other women with breastfeeding. Making sure that breastfeeding knowledge is built up once again in mother / women networks is a key to breastfeeding continuance
Te Puawaitanga is interested in hearing from any wahine who is interested in doing this free training. All women with some breastfeeding experience and are of childbearing age are eligible to take part in this training. What we are really looking for is a passion and commitment to breastfeeding and a desire to pass on helpful information and give support to other breastfeeding women. A bit like Jamie Oliver’s Pass-it-On cooking initiative – providing information to one person and then they can pass it on to someone else! We also know that mothers often have better breastfeeding experiences when they are given good support from their friends.
The eight sessions are run one session a week over eight weeks – usually in the morning.
The last session includes a celebration graduation where you will be presented with a certificate of participation. You can invite whānau and friends to this event.
No – the sessions are stimulating and interesting and they are run in a very relaxed way by the facilitators. There is plenty of time for discussion, explanation and questions. You can share your own knowledge too.
No – as long as you have had some experience of breastfeeding (regardless of how long) you are welcome.
No – it’s completely free and includes a folder full of useful information that you can use once the training is completed.
Your children are welcome at the training. We have toys and space for them to play. They are your responsibility while at the group, so please feel free to attend to them as needed.
Please talk to us about how we can help you get to the training.
No, if your older baby has stopped breastfeeding by now you can still take part in the training. What we are looking for is some breastfeeding experience and a passion for breastfeeding.
