Laura explains why she’s training to be a Peer Supporter

I completed the Treasure Chest antenatal workshop while pregnant and had high hopes for our breastfeeding journey. It’s something I have always known I wanted to do, and as we ended up conceiving our son through IVF, it became even more important to me after how much medical intervention we had needed for the rest of the process.

Unfortunately my son and I had a difficult start – he had a tongue tie which was released at four weeks. I experienced terrible engorgement because he wasn’t able to drain the breast, nipple damage, excruciating pain, and my son’s weight gain was static.

My midwife thankfully noticed the tongue tie at a routine visit and while we waited for the referral I decided to attend one of the Treasure Chest drop in sessions in Heworth.

As soon as I stepped in, I knew I could relax. It immediately felt like a safe place – like I was just meeting some brilliant and kind mums for a natter.

I received incredible support (with some amazing tea and cake!) and latch tips to see us through until the tongue tie release. The warmth and understanding of the Peer Supporter I saw that day gave me the strength to keep going, one feed at a time.

We made it to the tongue tie release but the weeks that followed continued to be uncomfortable as my son relearned how to feed. I invested in a visit from an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and attended further Treasure Chest drop in sessions and things continued to improve.

My son’s weight was climbing up the charts – I even remember my Health Visitor saying to me, ‘You’ve got some serious grit!’ and I felt so proud. We’re still happily breastfeeding at nine months with no intention to stop. It is without a doubt my proudest achievement.

I’m now training to be a Peer Supporter; I hope to be able to support more parents on their feeding journey, like I was supported by Treasure Chest. It’s become a real passion for me because I don’t think that feeling when you are desperate to feed and bond with your baby through breastfeeding will ever leave me. It saddens me to hear from friends who unfortunately didn’t get the support they needed and stopped their breastfeeding journey before they were ready. I hope through Treasure Chest I could help prevent that for more mums.

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