Breastfeeding Volunteers: Growing a Community of Support
- Samantha Ismail-Epps
- Jun 4
- 4 min read
The first week of June marks National Volunteer Week; a time to recognise and celebrate the contribution that volunteers make to our communities. The world of Breastfeeding Support is one such area that relies heavily on the time, energy and skills that volunteers can offer; complementing core NHS services, and providing ongoing support for families with the practical and emotional aspects of feeding their babies from the beginning to the end of their journey.
Community-based breastfeeding support groups are set up and run by dedicated teams of volunteers who have experience of breastfeeding their own children, and have undertaken specialist training in lactation and counselling skills (to find out more about the different levels of training check out this blog post). It may come as a surprise to learn that often, breastfeeding did not come easily to these volunteers, and many enter into the role because they either want to provide the support that they wish they had themselves, or they were fortunate enough to receive specialist support, and want to ‘pay it forward’ by giving something back to the community. These volunteers are brought together by the belief that good breastfeeding support should be accessible to all, and they know first-hand the impact this can make. Beth, who has been volunteering with BFSNN for four months reflected,
“I received some incredible support during my own breastfeeding journey and I wanted to give something back and learn more so that I could support others well too. Breastfeeding is deeply important and personal for many and the impact of poor support or a lack of support can have profound impacts on both mental and physical health”
Bryony had her first baby during the Covid-19 pandemic, and due to lockdown and the suspension of essential services, she struggled to access free support when she came up against breastfeeding challenges. Bryony trained as a Peer Supporter two and a half years ago, she explained that her biggest reason for volunteering was that she wanted provide the free support that she had needed at that crucial time.
Research tells us that eight out of ten parents in the UK stop breastfeeding before they want to[i]. This may be due to unresolved feeding challenges, raising children in a society that does not value breastfeeding, and the aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes; ultimately, a widespread lack of support for breastfeeding. We are not talking about the expectation of families breastfeeding for ‘x’ number of days, weeks, months or years here, but of meeting their individual breastfeeding goals. Breastfeeding volunteers recognise that these goals will look different for everyone, and that quite often they may change too. We know that when a parent feels unsupported to breastfeed they may not only experience a devastating range of emotions, sometimes for many years afterwards, but are at greater risk of developing postnatal depression[ii]. When a volunteer supports a family, perhaps by helping to optimise positioning and attachment at the breast, chatting about expectations and normal feeding behaviour, or referring them onto a specialist service, they are not only helping to get a feeding journey back on track, they are giving a lifeline. When asked what she most enjoys about the role Bryony added,
“I love that a lot of it comes down to reassurance, and that just having someone tell them that they are doing a good job, or not doing something wrong can make such a difference. Sometimes you can see someone leave so much lighter than when they came in.”
There are also times when families come to us with more complex feeding issues that need unravelling. One characteristic that seems universal amongst our volunteers is the thirst to learn, and broaden and deepen their knowledge around breastfeeding; they love to problem solve through active listening, asking questions, exploring new avenues and learning from others. The team at BFSNN comprises IBCLC’s, Breastfeeding Counsellors, Peer Supporters and Midwives, each individual has something different to offer. We update our knowledge formally through attending conferences, webinars, listening to podcasts and reading oh-so-many books on lactation, but we love to observe our colleagues support others too as there is always something new to learn with each family’s individual scenario.
All volunteers are clear on their remit, and will signpost to a higher level of support or alternative service when appropriate. There are times when practical support is absolutely the right thing to offer, but so often what is of the greatest value is the time and empathy that our volunteers can share with families. A chat, peer-to-peer, about the highs and lows of breastfeeding, the challenges, the anxiety, the sleep deprivation, a good cry, and a much-needed laugh can help to lift you out of a difficult place, as you realise that you’re not alone in this journey, but surrounded by a community of people who truly ‘get it’. Their experience will be different to yours, but they ‘get’ how difficult it can be, how hard you are working, and how important this is to you. They delight when you come back week after week, your baby growing, filling out their clothes and reaching new milestones, and to see your confidence grow too. As time goes on, you’re the one offering a new family gentle words of encouragement, giving back to the community that supported you, and before you know it, you too have become a lactation nerd with a lanyard and knitted boob at the ready!
Written by Samantha Ismail-Epps
Trainee Breastfeeding Counsellor, Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
Further Resources:
If you would like to find out more about becoming a Breastfeeding Peer Supporter, why not have a chat to one of our volunteers. There are a range of organisations that offer training, including the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, the Breastfeeding Network and La Leche League.
Makes Milk with Emma Pickett podcast, ‘Being a breastfeeding peer supporter’, 10 September 2024, available on Apple, Google and Spotify podcasts
References:
[i] UNICEF (2025) Breastfeeding in the UK. Available at: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/about/breastfeeding-in-the-uk/ (Accessed 2 June 2025)
[ii] Brown, A (2019) Why Breastfeeding Grief and Trauma Matter. Pinter and Martin, pp. 48 - 54
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