Breastfeeding is the physiological normal way to feed an infant. However, as natural as it might be, it can present a lot of challenges and anxieties for families. For Certified Breastfeeding Counselors, hosting support groups is one way to help support families tackling this natural but difficult part of parenting.
As a Certified breastfeeding counselor (CBC), you are equipped with specialized knowledge and expertise. You have the skills and thus the opportunity to host support groups in your community. There are many benefits of breastfeeding support groups, especially those hosted by lactation professionals.
Certified Breastfeeding Counselors Hosting Support Groups Create Safe Environments
As a CBC, you understand the importance of creating a safe and nurturing environment for new parents. You can facilitate a space where parents feel comfortable to share:
- Breastfeeding experiences
- Concerns and anxieties
- Ask questions.
- Vent about challenges
Being able to discuss the difficulties of breastfeeding is an important part of a healthy breastfeeding relationship. Much of parenthood can be romanticized in society making parents who have any challenges wonder if they’re alone.
CBCs Provide Evidence-Based Information
Breastfeeding support groups hosted by certified breastfeeding counselors offer parents access to accurate, evidence-based information and resources. CBCs are educated in common breastfeeding challenges, practical tips and techniques, milk supply, and how to navigate feeding challenges.
Peer only support groups can be wonderful. However, not all peer groups have leaders who are up to date with the latest lactation evidence. Breastfeeding mismanagement related to poor advice is a leading cause of early weaning.
Hosting support groups allows you to provide evidence-based information to multiple families at one time.
As Certified Breastfeeding Counselor Hosting Support Groups You Facilitate Peer Support
Creating a space where breastfeeding peers can come together is important. While CBCs, IBCLCs, and other lactation professionals have a role in helping families meet breastfeeding goals, peer support is recognized as a vital part of breastfeeding duration.
Not only can these peers support each other in lactation, they can become a source of support for many areas of parenthood. For new parents, it is important to know they are not alone in their experience. It is helpful to have an ear who is in the thick of it as the same time as they are.
When you host a support group, you create a space to facilitate peer support. You create an opportunity for parents to build relationships and friendships with people who are in the same season of life as they are.
Through sharing stories, insights, and strategies for success, parents can offer each other valuable peer support and encouragement.
Support Groups Offer Emotional Support and Validation
Breastfeeding support groups offer a space for parents to safely express their emotions. They can also share their concerns and triumphs. As a CBC, you can provide empathetic listening, validations, and emotional support to these parents. You are also facilitating a space parents can offer that to each other.
Yes, breastfeeding and parenting are normal parts of the human experience. However, they are both quite challenging. Humans need emotional support and validation to navigate these difficult parts of human life.
Knowing they are not alone and that what they are experiencing is in fact challenging can be the difference between feeling alone and feeling empowered.
Support Groups Facilitate Learning
When a support group is hosted by a CBC, the group serves as a space to learn about breastfeeding, tackle breastfeeding skills, and build confidence in their breastfeeding journey.
The interactive discussions and even demonstration can help empower new parents even through the difficult parts of life with a new baby. Often, topics extend beyond basic lactation into weaning to solids, introducing sippy cups, going back to work, infant sleep, and more. You have the opportunity to provide evidence-based information about many aspects of parenthood.
Promote Bonding
It is common for new parents to worry about bonding. In fact, one reason some parents choose to breastfeed is to hopefully facilitate more bonding. However, when early parenthood becomes isolating, and breastfeeding difficult, bonding can be difficult.
When breastfeeding support groups offer a space to safely feed while interacting with other parents, there can be more positive association with feeding. A chance to socialize while also feeding and doing skin-to-skin can help parents feel less isolated.
You also have the chance to help parents learn more about baby wearing, responsive feeding, skin-to-skin, healthy attachments, positive touches, and more.
When certified breastfeeding counselors host support groups, more families can benefit from evidence-based lactation support.