Breastfeeding support helps mums in Gloucestershire

Two Gloucestershire mums say a local peer support group helped them learn to breastfeed.

Gloucestershire mums credit peer support for breastfeeding success

Two Gloucestershire mums faced a difficult start with breastfeeding. Manpreet Pinder, who has since trained as a volunteer breastfeeding peer supporter, and her sister Suki say a local peer support network gave them practical help and emotional backing. Pinder described the early days as tough even though she loved her baby, a sentiment echoed by many new mothers in the county.

The Gloucestershire Breastfeeding Support Network runs drop-ins with a qualified breastfeeding counsellor and peer supporters in Dursley, Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, Churchdown, Cirencester and Stroud, making help available across several towns. The network complements NHS services by offering hands on guidance in person and a space to learn techniques, helping mums feel less alone in the first weeks.

Peer support groups can play a crucial role in helping families start breastfeeding and sustain it. When clinics are busy, having trained volunteers and counsellors in multiple towns makes help more accessible. Yet sustainability matters: volunteers need training, supervision, and funding to keep the program running. Community backed programs also face questions about inclusivity and reach for diverse families across the county.

The Gloucestershire example shows how local networks can fill gaps left by standard healthcare. They work best when connected with health services and when they listen to mums about what works in their communities.

Highlights

A simple act of listening can change a life in the first weeks.