|
The Breastfeeding Peer
Counselor Program
The Breastfeeding Peer
Counselor Program is an international program through
La Leche League
International which has trained more than 1000 administrators all over the world
to recruit and train mothers experienced in breastfeeding who in turn help other
mothers in resource-deprived areas to breastfeed their babies. These Peer
Counselors have reached more that 50,000 women in 25 states and eight countries
with breastfeeding information and support. Statistics show an increase in
breastfeeding initiation and duration rates in communities with this unique
mother-to-mother help.
This Breastfeeding Peer
Counselor Program has been successfully administered locally by the PBCHD/WIC
since 1992. Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are women who
- want to help mothers from
low-income, minority or other communities with low incidence of
breastfeeding
- have an enthusiastic feeling
about breastfeeding
- have breastfed at least one
baby
- are recommended by a health
care provider
- complete an extensive
breastfeeding training course
- present breastfeeding
information in clinic setting or provide telephone help to mothers
It has been estimated that at
least 29 million dollars could be saved annually in formula costs if WIC mothers
would breastfeed for just one month. - US Department of Agriculture
For more information,
please contact the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program Administrator and WIC
Breastfeeding Coordinator Lou
Boyes, BFA, IBCLC at :
PBCHD/Community
Health Division
The Forum, Suite B-900
1665 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561.681.2501 ext. 113
|
