“Thank GOODness for breastfeeding” – that’s the message from six volunteer mums who are celebrating after completing a 10-week breastfeeding peer support course.

The course gives volunteer mums the knowledge and skills they need to support others mums to breastfeed, and give their babies the healthiest start to life.

It is run by the NHS in Plymouth, in partnership with local children’s centres, and help from peer support mums could be crucial as many mums who start breastfeeding may stop in the first few weeks if they experience difficulties.

Deb Lapthorne, NHS Plymouth’s director of public health, said:

“Becoming a parent brings new and exciting challenges, especially when the baby gets to know its parents and the parents learn to understand their baby’s needs.

“Many women and their babies will instinctively know how to breastfeed, but others will need a bit more support and encouragement.

“Breastfeeding is recognised by all the major health organisations as the healthiest way to feed a newborn baby and to meet all its nutritional requirements for the first six months of life.

“The health benefits of breastfeeding are largely attributed to the “living” components within breast milk which cannot be duplicated or added to formula substitutes. These include infection fighting antibodies, white blood cells, red blood cells and antiviral factors.”

All peer supporters in the city belong to the Plymouth Latch-on network, which provides new mums with the opportunity to attend a local breastfeeding group.

The Latch-on groups offer a breastfeeding friendly environment, a positive atmosphere and a warm welcome to all breastfed babies and their parents.

There is also an opportunity to talk to a health professional and to find out about the family centred activities being delivered through the local Children’s Centre.

The next peer support training programme begins in May 2012. To find out more about becoming a peer supporter and what the role entails, go to www.plymouth-latchon.org.uk or contact Mandy Chapman, NHS Plymouth’s peer support mentor, on 01752 431 637.