STEFFI Keir from Glasgow started volunteering with the National breastfeeding helpline five years ago, after feeling that she had failed to get the support that could have helped her to breastfeed her own babies.

And as news of Covid-19’s march across Europe began to break, she realised almost immediately that the restrictions imposed as a result would have a dramatic effect on new mothers.

It’s a difficult time to have a baby. Mothers are being discharged as soon as possible after the birth, sometimes before feeding has really been established. The breastfeeding helpline claims it has had calls from some mothers still in hospital who are struggling to get help from midwives as they are currently so stretched.

Back home many key services like follow-up midwife visits have had to be cancelled, and the reassuring weigh-ins done in those early weeks have also been suspended. What’s more there are usually no family or friends there to help out, give parents a break, or provide support.

Many grandparents will not meet their new grandchild for months, due to rules around self-isolation and social distancing.

Keir feels heart-sore when she contemplates the isolation facing new parents. “I personally really needed to be able to go out there to breastfeeding support groups, parent groups, baby classes, for my own wellbeing,” she says. “I cannot imagine becoming a mum in lockdown. It must be so hard. So for me it was clear that this would have a huge impact on mums.”

But she’s impressed by how many women have rallied around. The helpline has seen a huge swell in volunteers, with many returning to the post after having retired or taken a sabbatical.

As a result, across the UK they were able to take 1300 calls in March, with many calls taking over an hour. When web chats are added it reckons it has helped nearly 2000 families.

Keir has enjoyed the feeling of solidarity that comes from feeling part of a joint effect to offer support with new mums need it most.

“Usually I log on if there’s nobody else on or just one other volunteer,” she says. “But since lockdown, I always see lots of volunteers on with me, many in calls. It’s clear that all the volunteers have risen to the challenge to go on the helpline more often to be there for mums in this difficult situation.”

Many of them are feeling high levels of anxiety, sometimes compounded by the isolation of their current situation and the reassurance given by volunteers can be invaluable.

“I’ve found lots of mums being really worried about their baby’s weight gain as they can’t get them weighed, so the reassurance of weigh-ins is gone,” says Keir. “We can give new mums tools to assess milk intake in other ways than weighing, and either reassure or signpost to medical support if there is a concern.”

“All the volunteers have experienced this, so we all can empathise and provide entirely non judgmental support. We never advise what to do, but provide a space where mums can find their own solutions for their unique situation.

“We can also reassure and explain what is normal when the sugar-coated images of motherhood that we are fed in the media look nothing like the reality of having a newborn.”

Volunteers are having to juggle their own priorities too. Keir is home schooling her own children as well as working from home, but tries to make time for one or two calls each day. She can pick-up on web chat after the helpline closes at 9.30pm. It’s tiring, but brings her satisfaction.

“It feels great to be part of this community of support, to know that new mums have somewhere to turn to even if face-to-face support had to shut,” she says. “It also shows to me how people rise to the challenge and rally together to help and support one another. It really is the village raising the child.

“I’m just a tiny jigsaw piece as my time is limited, but every little piece makes a beautiful picture of a community of motherhood.”

Find out more: https://www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk

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