A new pilot telephone breastfeeding peer support service is being offered to support pregnant and new mums living in Glasgow City.  

In line with current Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, face-to-face breastfeeding support groups run across Glasgow were put on hold. In response, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership’s (HSCP) third sector partners National Childbirth Trust (NCT) and Breastfeeding Network (BfN) have adapted their services and now offer a range of support to mothers complementary to that provided by HSCP Midwifery, Health Visiting and Family Nurse Services. This includes online groups, text support and Attend Anywhere video calling. 

In order to enhance these services and to test their effectiveness, a telephone support pilot has been established and is now up and running. This pilot, for women due to give birth at the Queen Elizabeth Maternity Hospital (QEUH) is run in partnership with Maternity Services, HSCP Health Improvement staff and Health Visiting and Family Nurse teams. 

Tricia Mostyn, Health Improvement Senior, Glasgow City HSCP said: “We have worked with NCT and BfN to develop and establish this pilot. Volunteers from across different Glasgow communities have been recruited and are receiving training to support mums with breastfeeding. The aim is that whenever possible mums are matched to a volunteer who shares a similar culture and can speak a mum’s own language. The pilot will enable mums to be linked up with a peer supporter before they have their baby, in the postnatal wards or when they are at home.  Having another mum to offer support and encouragement and be a listening ear can help mums feel better about their breastfeeding experiences and enable them to get the right help when needed.”

New mum Hannah said: "Being a new mum is overwhelming. Having a designated breastfeeding support person to support my journey with breastfeeding gives me confidence as I learn and grow as a new parent. Having the support in my mother tongue makes it feel like a more safe and familiar environment.”

For more information about accessing the service, please email: peersupportglasgow@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk
Answerphone: 0208 752 2319
or TEXT: 07395 224698
with your name, postcode and telephone number or please speak to your Midwife or Health Visitor.