Interested in being a breastfeeding counsellor

[chobs3]

Hi I have seen in the forum a few people that have done the course to be a breastfeeding counsellor and just wanted to know how they got involved, the cost of the course and how they have found it?

Kylie

[Linds]

Hi Kylie
I've just officially become fully qualified and joined the ranks of breastfeeding counsellors! Firstly you have to be a member of ABA - and then you can apply to do the training through your local group. The training has just changed over as ABA is now a RTO (registered training organisation) so at the end of the training you have a certificate 4 in breastfeeding counselling which is fantastic. I trained under the old system but will be upgrading my qualifications asap.
I don't know about the new system, but I found the training excellent and was able to fit in the required work easily.
ABA is a fantastic organisation to be a part of and i love being around other similar mums and supporting their breastfeeding relationship with their children. If you are not already involved with your local ABA group i would highly recommend you do so and get in there
ETA: there is no cost involved for you as an individual as your group sponsers you to train. You have to apply through your group leader who will recommend you for training. You do have to commit to at least 2 years as a counsellor though.

[chobs3]

Thanks for that information i really appreciate it. I will definately look into it, and see whats available down my way.

Kylie

[Pandamum]

Hi Kylie - glad you are thinking of becoming a breastfeeding counsellor.

I've just qualified but probably don't have as much info as you'd think as from the beginning of 2008 the training scheme to become a counsellor has changed.

Firstly, are you an active member of your local group? Generally you need to be recommended as an ideal trainee by your group leader or other counsellor and need to show a commitment to ABA - so probably doing some group jobs etc is the way to go.

Under the old scheme, you needed to have breastfed 1 child for a minimum of 9mths, but I believe that has now changed to 6mths.

When you have a counsellor to recommend you for training, you need to submit a lactation history and be interviewed by a senior ABA person to ensurey ou suitability as a trainee.

There is no cost involved in the training, but you do have to agree to be a counsellor for a minimum of 2 years and take on the role of group leader if required.

You will need to attend training meetings and complete assignments - some written/some practical to meet the training requirements. If you don't have a trainee advisor (the person who over sees your training) near-by, you may have to travel for these training sessions (my TA lived 2 hrs away, so for me there was quite a bit of travel involved)

The training is thoroughly worthwhile, you will learn heaps, and gain a recognised training qualification. It is self-paced so you need to make sure you set aside time for reading or assignments or as I find out it just doesn't get done.

I found that I was given heaps of support throughout my training, and while at times it was stressful getting things completed, I would rate it as a thoroughly worthwhile. It is a fantastic organisation to be a part of and there is so much need in the community for breastfeeding knowledge and support.

HTH and feel free to ask any more questions

[chobs3]

I will definately get in touch and find my local group.
So I understand there needs to be a commitment to being a counsellor for 2 years so roughly how many hours a week would be needed to be a councillor, or does it just depend on demand? It looks like the new qualification included the Cert Iv in training and assessment too (which I have completed), but I could have read it wrong.

Kylie

[sunflowerchild]

you no longer need to submit a lactation history, you just have to explain what you can bring to the Association and what being involved means to you.
Training for the first year is met by your local group, but should you need to extend your training then that cost is met by you, somewhere around the $50 mark I think.
You can RPL on some subjects I think, but this is better discussed with the training adviser.
Its worth it, I've just started on mine
ETA You can commit to as many or as few hours as like, it could be a shift each week/fortnight/month on the helpline or at group meetings, this can be high demand sometimes as well as attending x number of training meetings per year

[muchacha]

I'm looking into doing this too, so this is great info

[chobs3]

Ros
Thanks for that information, its great that there are some people who are just starting the training on here. I was just worried about the time commitment, especially when I go back to work.

Kylie