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Be A Volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor
Defining the BMSG Breastfeeding Counsellor
Breastfeeding counsellors are mothers who are currently breastfeeding or have breastfed for at least 9 months and volunteer with the BMSG.
As a breastfeeding counsellor, you will receive training in:
- Foundational breastfeeding knowledge
- Common breastfeeding challenges and how to troubleshoot them
You would offer ideas and suggestions, without giving advice or making diagnoses. You will help mothers set out their goals, explore options and make decisions.
As a BMSG counsellor, you also stand for informed choice. You provide information to enable mothers to make informed decisions or offer referrals when dealing with a problem beyond your scope.
You give mothers non-judgemental support, putting aside any personal views on parenting topics. You understand that every mother does what she sees as best for her individual circumstances.
What is your role as a Breastfeeding Counsellor?
Mother supporters form the foundation of breastfeeding support. They are everyday mothers cheering on other breastfeeding mothers!
As a breastfeeding counsellor, you:
- facilitate mother-to-mother support
- are a reliable resource if a mother needs more than companionship, encouragement or ideas from other real-life mothers!
- have a network of connections with lactation consultants, paediatricians and other professionals who are able to provide specialised support
What work would you do?
Your responsibilities include:
- operating the phone counselling helpline and WhatsApp account
- hosting or helping to host support groups
- providing online counselling support
- conducting workshops
- facilitating events & talks
All successful candidates will also need to serve a 2-year volunteering bond upon graduation. This entails rostered shifts of a fixed number of hours a week or selected face-to-face counselling sessions. Counsellors will be able to commit to these shifts at their own availability.
What does BMSG Counselling Training involve?
Training involves commitment to a 10-week training programme at 3 hours each.
To qualify to be a counsellors, candidates must fulfil the following requirements:
- Attend all sessions
- Complete all in-class and take-home assignments
- Pass all final assessments which test understanding of breastfeeding knowledge and counselling skills, including a role-play interview assessment
Additionally, as our vacancies are limited, to qualify as a candidate, interested individuals must sit for a compulsory pre-training selection test.
Join us for Counsellor Training!
We conduct annual Counsellor Training to recruit more volunteers to become trained breastfeeding counsellors.
Email office@breastfeeding.org.sg if you want to be updated on the next round of Counsellor Training.
For a full FAQ of our Counsellor Training programme, click here.