Why does breastfeeding support matter?

We are committed to serving everyone; mothers, parents and families. Unfortunately, wider society in the UK often throws up many social and cultural barriers to breastfeeding. Our mission is to overcome this. We want to reassure and support new families with their own feeding goals at a time of great vulnerability. Our volunteers are trained to listen with empathy, give practical support and signpost people to skilled, effective support and evidence-based information.

I'm Kerrie, please take time to read my story  

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Hi, my name is Kerrie and I'm one of the peer supporters for Up Front. I have two children aged 5 and 3.  When I had my first son I knew that I wanted to breastfeed, but I wasn't prepared for how challenging I found the first few months. We really struggled to get a deep latch, which led to severe pain in my nipples and breasts.  A friend recommended the Up Front group to me and they were brilliant.  Jo, the peer supporter and the mums I met at the group got me through what was a really difficult time. My son was eventually diagnosed with a posterior tongue tie, which was cut when he was two months old. It took a while to improve his latch, but we got there in the end and I went on to feed him pain-free for 14 months and I loved it.  I first went to Up Front when he was two-weeks old and continued to go nearly every week until I returned to work when he was one year old.  This was all because of the lovely people I met there.

Breastfeeding the second time round was so much easier which I put down partly to me knowing more about it and how it works.  We still had to practice my daughter's latch for week or so, but after that it all went smoothly. I decided to train to be a peer supporter when my daughter was eight months' old because I felt very grateful for all the help that I received. I wanted to give back and try to help other mums who wanted to breastfeed.

Continuing to support mums throughout the Covid-19 pandemic has been challenging but I am proud of how Up Front has quickly adapted to more on-line support. You can currently find me at the on-line weekly tea and cake groups, answering Facebook posts and messages and at the monthly on-line antenatal classes.  I also do the Zoom support calls and I really enjoy supporting mums one-to-one like this.

My daughter has just turned three and we are both still very much enjoying our breastfeeding relationship.  I also still have a wonderful group of six friends who I met at Boob Club (AKA the Up Front weekly group) and I have no doubt that these women will be in my life forever.  Up Front has given me a lot to be thankful for!"  Kerrie

How your donation will help us 

Donate nowThe Up Front team are completely reliant on charitable donations. This appeal will help us to offer our Antenatal Breastfeeding Workshops, online support and continue to offer the free access to Breastfeeding Support Groups across Hinckley and Bosworth.

Your donation will help us to undertake new initiatives to support parents, contribute to training new peer supporters and buy essential materials for our groups, such as tea, biscuits, toys, volunteer uniforms, promotional materials and events.

Thank you for supporting Up Front