Our Māmā-2-Māmā Breastfeeding Peer Counsellor Programme has now been redeveloped and modernised to accommodate our Culturally and Linguistically Diverse whānau (families).
This programme recognises that every whānau (family), culture, and community is different. It creates a space where diverse experiences, languages, and cultural practices are valued and respected. You’ll be supported to provide breastfeeding support in ways that are culturally safe, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of the communities you are part of.
This course is completely free of charge and has been developed in-house, guided by the La Leche League New Zealand, Aotearoa peer counsellor programme.
Does this sound like something you would be interested in? Read on below:
Anyone who would like to give breastfeeding support to others and/or spread the word about how awesome breastfeeding is! We are inviting all nannies, koro, partners, friends, professionals, or just people interested in the wonders of infant nutrition. Anyone who can commit to the programme, is invited!
This course is not reserved to those who identify as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD), however if this is you, you will find the course accessible and inviting.
Our Māmā-2-Māmā Breastfeeding Peer Counsellor Programme has now been developed in-house but follows the same structure as the La Leche League New Zealand, Aotearoa peer counsellor programme. The course is facilitated by the wonderful Rukmini Keane, supported by the Canterbury Breastfeeding Advocacy Service.
Throughout the 8 sessions, our trainees are guided through what peer counselling is, effective communication, some technicalities and characteristics of breastfeeding, how to support breastfeeding whānau through breastfeeding challenges, and both global and local breastfeeding initiatives.
The last session is a graduation ceremony where we celebrate the achievements of our new Peer Counsellors. Family and friends are welcome to join us for this session.
Our programmes typically have 3 intakes, once per term. Sessions run once per week (usually a Friday morning).
Our sessions are run in person in central-east Christchurch. We have delivered the programme online historically; however we find that face-to-face sessions provide a beautiful environment for valuable discussion. It’s also a great excuse for kai (food) and a cuppa (provided).
If getting to the training may be a challenge for you, please reach out – we may be able to help.
We will provide all participants with resources to support learning. Participants are always welcome to reach out if additional support is needed or if there is anything else we can do to support their journey. This includes anything we can do to help with course accessibility.
Pēpi (babies) are welcome to join us too, however we encourage participants to find alternative arrangements for older tamariki (children) where possible.
A breastfeeding peer counsellor programme has the potential to increase the numbers of whānau who start breastfeeding, improve exclusivity of breastfeeding rates and improve duration of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding peer counsellors become advocates for breastfeeding in their hapori (community).
This increase in breastfeeding rates will reduce the numbers of pēpi getting sick, reduce the hospital admission rates and contribute positively to longer term health targets. These include reduction in obesity rates and diabetes and heart disease later in life. Increasing breastfeeding will also contribute significantly to the well-being and health of māmā 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 hapori for people to support breastfeeding whānau. Making sure that breastfeeding knowledge is built up all across Aotearoa (New Zealand) is key to breastfeeding continuance.
