Eager to pass on breastfeeding knowledge

• Published date: 05 April 2024
• Publication title: Oamaru Mail

WellSouth is the primary health network that operates in Otago and Southland and funds The Milk Room and The Breast Room which deliver the breastfeeding programme that offers women and their families volunteer breastfeeding supporters

The breastfeeding programme provides parents help with common concerns around breastfeeding and supports parents in their infant feeding choices.

Breastfeeding Peer Supporter programme manager Denise Ives said there was a shortage of breast supporters. Mrs Samuelu was one of seven people beginning the training this month.

Miss Ives said Mrs Samuelu exhibited qualities that were necessary for a peer supporter.

‘‘From the conversations I’ve had with her and when I’ve met with her, she seems to communicate in a very kind and gentle way.

‘‘She’s able to be quite non-judgemental in the way she speaks about things and is able to listen and take in things that people are saying without dominating the conversation herself, which is very important for a peer supporter.’’

Miss Ives said studies had shown that when parents were supported by peers, it could really help with the success of their breastfeeding and their confidence and how good they felt about it.

Mrs Samuelu, a mother of two, is passionate about breastfeeding and helping new mums through those challenging stages of being a new parent.

She hoped to help other women, but also looked forward to expanding her knowledge and respecting different choices. A diagnosis of cervical cancer meant she was unable to breastfeed with her second child while she received treatment.

‘‘I hope to help others, being such an advocate for breastfeeding. I’m wanting to help others to hopefully arrive there.

‘‘But then, also, it’s everyone’s own choice and it’s about how to support those mothers respectfully when they choose a different option.’’

After her own experience as a breastfeeding mother she wanted to provide that knowledge to others.

‘‘The biggest thing for me was just the societal pressure and confusion, when you have a whole lot of information coming from different places.

‘‘If I had had someone that I could have turned to immediately [after] — or even prior to — giving birth, it could have been a much easier transition, ’’Mrs Samuelu said.

The experience of breastfeeding was ‘‘eye-opening’’ for her and her husband.

‘‘Understanding...