Our breastfeeding peer support service first started way back in 2004 when our now Chair Of Trustees, Elaine Edwards, had a difficult start to breastfeeding her daughter, Jessica, and struggled to get support. Elaine went to a local Sure Start Centre for help, where she met other mums who were in the same position.
Together they realised the power of mothers supporting each other, and the need for a local support network for mothers to access support and be given evidence-based information.
The project began with a grant commissioned to support the Sure Start programme, with the primary purpose of supporting and promoting breastfeeding, both antenatally and postnatally, within the community of Blackburn with Darwen.
Elaine left her full-time employment and became a La Leche League Trainer. Local women were recruited and trained to form a team of paid and volunteer peer supporters.
The peer supporters provided weekly support groups within Sure Start centres, as well as 1:1 home visits, a 24-hour helpline, and daily support on the maternity ward. They worked closely with the local maternity hospital who gave all the peers access to UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative training, ensuring evidence-based information was being given to mothers.
The impact on breastfeeding rates was amazing, and the service has now expanded to provide breastfeeding support across several areas throughout the country.
Pilot programmes have been delivered alongside longer- term contracts, and FAB remains a preferred supplier for the provision of breastfeeding peer support services for various commissioners.
Families and Babies (F.A.B) provides trusted, community-based and online breastfeeding support across the UK. Whether you’re in Wakefield, Bolton, Dorset, Poole, Bournemouth—or looking for virtual guidance—we’re here to help with peer support groups, drop-in sessions, and accessible online support.
We’re grateful to partner with a network of trusted local and regional organisations -from businesses to councils to community funders – whose support enables us to provide essential breastfeeding services to families across the UK.
Want to know who we are and why we do it? Hear directly from the mums we’ve supported. We’ll show you the real impact of our peer support, helpline, home visits, and antenatal courses, from heartfelt gratitude to life-changing encouragement. See their stories and discover how FAB supports families every day.
There are so many ways you can support our work—from making a one-off donation, joining our FAB Lottery, or becoming a corporate patron, to shopping with us or donating items to our charity shop. However you choose to help, you’ll be making a real difference to families across the UK.