UK - health visitor training.

[Samuel's mum]

Just heard from a newly trained health visitor that she received HALF A DAY on breastfeeding from a UNICEF rep. That's half a day in her entire training.
Health visitors come from a nursing background but that can just as easily be (and usually is) an adult nursing background so that half a day may literally be all that they ever know about breastfeeding.
Some HVs will have been trained at centres which have no compulsory breastfeeding element in their training at the time they trained.

Of course there are going to be exceptions - some HVs make an effort to find out more and go on extra training. But if you ever find yourself thinking, 'heck,she doesn't know much about breastfeeding' - it might be because she really doesn't.

[Sharondp]

That is really tragic! How can half a day's training equip her to help with latching on, positioning, expressing etc

Thank the Lord for the NCT Breastfeeding Counsellors and La Leche League etc.
Our NCT branch Breastfeeding Counsellor has just completed her diploma and it took her 4 years, studying in her own time.

My advice would now be to phone the NCT Breastfeeding helpline if you have any concerns - their counsellors will be far better equipped to help you out!
The number is: 0870 444 8708

[em_here]

Thats not very good, I always thought my HV was not very helpful with breastfeeding, makes me thing hmmmmm when I look back.  I did not know of any of the breast feeding help like la leche league either so just gave up because of DD's fussy feeding/refusal of the breast, I had no one to tell me to cut dairy out of my diet as she was allergic and no help with the reflux. I would have loved to have someone to help me, it was too late when I discovered this site, as I can definately say hand on heart, the help I have seen people given on the Breastfeeding Boards is so wonderful and better advice than I ever could have got from my H.V.

You are wonderful Emma, I don't have the need to post on the board but often read about peoples problems and how you help 

[RachelC]

   That's not good. 

[lisi's mum]

I knew it wasn't much but 

[Bryony]

Gosh how interesting - and horrifying! 

I also had a lot of help from the local NCT breastfeeding counsellor (most of my breastfeeding problems were in the first few weeks, before I discovered this site  )  who was EXCELLENT. She breastfed all of her children until they were at least 2 years old, has heaps of knowledge and a lot of experience.

I made a promise to myself that if I made it to 6 months I would take her a big box of posh chocolates - which I did   

So I would also encourage other UK mums to look out for the NCT breastfeeding helpline and local counsellors if you have one...

Bryony

[Johno & Aurelias Mum]

It doesn't surprise me.  So long as they can tick the box on the 8 week check that the baby is breastfed, that's all they seem to be worried about.  I wouldn't have been able to BF Aurelia if it hadn't been for this site, Emma in particular.

[Shdef]

That's shocking 

[Samuel's mum]

We are lucky with the support we have in the UK. The NCT of course but also the ABM, Breastfeeding Network and LLL. All of them have helplines and trained people who may be able to do home visits.

It's just scary because most of what HVs do in the early days is so wrapped up with infant nutrition. And if they know so little about breastfeeding literally all they can do in some cases is say 'supplement' if there's any sign of a problem. Sigh.

(Thanks for the sweet comments guys )

[evanskimberley]

That is shocking!!! Especially when you know how much time, effort and studying it takes to be an NCT breastfeeding counsellor. I know what it takes Emma, but most people out here don't, tell us all so we can be in total awe of what a fab woman you and the other NCT ladies are.

[Samuel's mum]

Actually I'm an ABM lady!

http://abm.me.uk/website/index.htm

All in all it's been 9 modules of study (one 'mother supporter' module and 8 counsellor modules). I calculated just over 100 hours of work. Reading, written assignments, mock counselling questions, mother interviews and feeding observations, mentor meetings. That's 100 hours compared to about 4 for half a day for an HV. We also have a requirement to do annual updates.

I think NCT is pretty similiar in terms of timing (1.5-2yrs is about as fast as you can go). I think they have a bit more face-to-face training whereas the ABM is slightly more 'remote learning' - but I'm not too sure. I didn't go with the NCT training because Sam was pretty young when I started and I didn't want to have to do weekends away which were one of the requirements. The NCT is better recognised nationally though and is a much bigger organisation (looking at all aspects of birth and parenthood). The ABM is just about breastfeeding!

[15milner]

My antenatal teacher / doula friends said that midwives don't get much training either.  That might account for the way that they get baby to latch (or at least the experience i have is that they don't encourage the baby to latch they sort of push the baby on)

Alex

[evanskimberley]

Oops sorry Emma, just assumed! But same dedication to the cause and what a work load! /the fact that you helped me far more than any HV or midwife ever has is testiment to all your hard work.

[Bryony]

Emma - that's really interesting, I hadn't heard of ABM but have just been looking at the website - will definitely recommend this as it looks fantastic!

As PPs have said, it also shows what a lot of hard work you have done to get the expertise that you clearly have!

Bryony

[Samuel's mum]

Thanks - didn't mean this to be about me 
But I appreciate the support.

The 'mother supporter' module is good to do as a 'one-off' for anyone interested in bfing. It gives you the equivalent of a 'peer counsellor' qualification. And a basic grounding.