Leaders and Peer Counselors:
Differences and Similarities
Barbara Cincilla
Peer Counselor Program Training Administrator
From: LEAVEN, Vol. 36 No. 4, August-September 2000, pp. 74-75
The scientific research that
confirms breastfeeding as the optimal method of nourishing and nurturing
infants has increased worldwide breastfeeding promotion. These efforts
have created an ever-increasing need for breastfeeding information,
support and protection for mothers everywhere.
Studies of the effectiveness
of the help LLL offers indicate that mothers in touch with LLL differ
in many ways from mothers who are not involved with LLL. Mothers who
are in contact with LLL tend to:
- Breastfeed longer,
- Wean more gradually,
- Be more knowledgeable
about breastfeeding,
- Introduce solid foods
later,
- Be more likely to wean
to a cup than a bottle,
- Be less concerned with
schedules,
- Be more "in tune"
with baby's needs,
- Have fewer stated concerns
about milk supply,
- Demonstrate confidence
and self-determination,
- Be better able to withstand
criticism.
Help provided in a small- group,
neighborhood setting has been shown to have the greatest positive impact
on the success of breastfeeding.
There are many reasons why
a mother or group of mothers may not avail themselves of the education,
support, information and encouragement LLL provides through its traditional
Groups and Leaders. It may be the result of situations that are psychosocial,
economic or geographic in nature. A mother from a cultural environment
which differs greatly from the local established LLL Group may not feel
comfortable discussing something as intimate as breastfeeding within
that Group. Some mothers don't have a telephone; many don't have money
to pay dues, buy books or pay for transportation to meetings. If a mother
lives in a rural area, the closest LLL Group may be many miles away.
Despite a mother's lack of
contact with LLL, her baby still has the same need for the security,
warmth and optimal nourishment of breastfeeding. To succeed at breastfeeding
most mothers need the help and encouragement that only another nursing
mother can provide.
In keeping with the mission
of LLLI, "To help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother
support, education, information and encouragement and to promote a better
understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy
development of the baby and mother," the LLLI Breastfeeding Peer
Counselor Program (BPCP) was launched at the 1987 LLLI Conference in
Chicago. "To reduce infant mortality and morbidity by increasing
the rate and duration of breastfeeding among breastfeeding resource-deprived
populations" is its mission.
The BPCP will celebrate ten
years of outreach at the 1997 LLLI Conference in Washington DC. The
program has experienced much growth and development since its inception.
Because Leaders seem to want and need more information about the BPCP,
the most frequently asked questions are answered here.
What is the difference
between LLL Leaders and Breastfeeding Peer Counselors?
Both Leaders and Breastfeeding
Peer Counselors:
- Have an enthusiasm for
breastfeeding,
- Have a desire to help
other mothers discover the joys of breastfeeding,
- Help mothers through telephone
counseling and one-to-one counseling at support group meetings or
through home or hospital visits,
- Are members of LLLI,
- Have access to LLL continuing
education workshops, Area and International conferences,
- Receive ongoing information
and technical assistance through LLLI,
- Have the opportunity to
network with appropriate LLL personnel.
They differ in these ways:
LLL Leaders
- Have breastfed a baby
for at least one year and practiced mothering through breastfeeding
including natural weaning,
- Are usually self-referred
to LLL,
- Are responsible for helping
any mothers who contact them,
- Have been accredited by
LLLI through the Leader Accreditation Department,
- Act as volunteers for
a nonprofit organization,
- Balance family needs with
the needs of the mothers they serve,
- Report monthly to their
District Advisor,
- Are representatives of
LLLI,
- Are covered by LLLI Leader
liability insurance,
- Lead monthly Series Meetings,
- Are responsible for staying
current with the latest breastfeeding information, research and management
techniques,
- Pay Leader dues annually.
Breastfeeding Peer
Counselors
- Have breastfed a baby
for about six months (may have limited breastfeeding experience),
- Have usually been recruited
into the BPCP,
- Are responsible for promoting
breastfeeding and helping mothers in a neighborhood or area assigned
by the BPCP Administrator or an agency,
- Have successfully completed
the BPCP training course,
- May work as volunteers
or be paid by an agency,
- If employed by an agency,
are mindful of their obligation to the needs of that employer,
- Report monthly and as
requested to the BPCP Administrator and/or employer,
- Are not representatives
of LLLI,
- Are not covered by LLLI
liability insurance,
- Do not lead LLL Series
Meetings but may lead breastfeeding support meetings at an agency,
- Stay current with the
latest in breastfeeding information, research and management techniques
under the supervision of the BPCP Administrator or agency,
- Are members of LLLl.
What does a BPCP Administrator
do?
All aspects of a local LLLI
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program are the responsibility of the Program
Administrator. This may include both designing the local program and
obtaining funding for it. Other responsibilities may include recruiting
Peer Counselors; training and ongoing education for the Peer Counselors
and cooperating agency personnel; reporting to an agency, source of
funding and LLLI; keeping current with the latest in breastfeeding information,
research and management techniques.
How does one become a
BPCP Administrator?
An LLL Leader, physician,
nurse, nutritionist, dietitian, social worker or other health agency
staff member who has
- demonstrated commitment
to helping mothers in breastfeeding resource-deprived communities;
- at least one year of
experience counseling breastfeeding mothers and helping promote,
protect and support breastfeeding and breastfeeding mothers;
- experience running
an LLL Group or other administrative experience
may request an application from
the LLLI Outreach Department for training as an LLLI Breastfeeding Peer
Counselor Administrator.
Candidates will successfully
complete a Program Administrator Assessment Exam and attend a 26-hour
Program Administrator Training Workshop.
Are all peer counseling
programs which use the services of an LLL Leader LLLI Breastfeeding
Peer Counselor Programs?
No. In order to be called
an LLLI Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program and to use the LLLI BPCP
logo, the program must be run by an administrator who has successfully
completed the LLLI BPCP Administrator Training Workshop. The BPCP Administrator
maintains responsibility for quality control of the project. Therefore,
the program uses only accurate, up-to-date materials authorized by the
LLLI Outreach Department Manager. The program's Peer Counselors are
trained using the LLLI copyrighted BPCP curriculum. Peer Counselors
are members of LLLI. They receive appropriate ongoing supervision and
education under the direction of the BPCP Administrator who reports
to LLLI's Outreach Manager.
For more information on the La Leche League International Peer Counselor Program, please contact a Training Administrator near you:
Kathy Baker -- Illinois: Kathy_M_Baker@comcast.net
Barbara Cincilla -- New Jersery: Barbara Cincilla
Nancy March -- California: nmarch@cox.net
Beverly Spencer -- Metro Washington, DC: Bspen8401@aol.com
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:32:12 UTC 2007.
