A breastfeeding counsellor is a trained practitioner, who works with parents one-to-one, and who also facilitates breastfeeding sessions within NCT courses, and breastfeeding support groups including Baby Cafes. She uses person-centred counselling skills to support new families, primarily mothers, and she has a deep knowledge of normal infant feeding behaviours plus a full understanding of the physiology of breastfeeding, and the cultural, social and emotional context in which feeding takes place.

This all means she takes an enabling approach to feeding decisions, supporting the mother to develop confidence and self-efficacy in order to resolve challenges. Breastfeeding counsellors are able to support and inform all parents, on all aspects of feeding, including the use of formula, expressing breastmilk, and the introduction of solid foods.

To become an NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor:

Qualify at Level 4 and gain a certificate of Higher Education
Continue to study at Level 5 and take the relevant Level 5 modules

In their words:

Fran Bailey, Student BFC, shares why she chose to become a breastfeeding counsellor with NCT:

What other Breastfeeding Counsellors say:

“A friend recommended antenatal classes when I was pregnant. I met a breastfeeding counsellor on the course and had lots of support from her with breastfeeding my baby. Following that I decided to train and help more mums and babies. I looked into training with other organisations too and I chose NCT because I felt that NCT was non-judgemental and welcomed a variety of parenting styles, and also appreciated that NCT offered support and services to non-breastfeeding mums. The training I did was fantastic and I would do it all again purely for the self-development: I am far more self-aware, aware of others, more open, more compassionate and caring, better boundaried, more self-confident, a better listener, better communicator and stronger as a person. In practice terms I feel that it has given me a stong skillset, I appreciate the breadth and depth of understanding of breastfeeding that it provides and most especially value the way that it has developed me to work in a mother focussed way and use counselling skills to best support parents.” - Jo, Breastfeeding Counsellor

“I was inspired by NCT as a whole and wanted to train so that I could continue to work with the charity for many years. When I looked around it seemed that branch volunteering had a limited lifespan and therefore training seemed an obvious way to go. I enjoy the person-centred approach, the networking and support for each other, the high quality information. I have learnt a lot through the NCT that has helped in my professional life - meeting skills, counselling skills, public speaking skills, relationship skills, not to mention knowledge and information, evidence based of course!” - Eve, Breastfeeding Counsellor