A peer support programme for nursing mothers will be celebrating an expansion of trained volunteers in Central Southland.

Winton has another source of support for breastfeeding mothers with eight women graduating as Breastfeeding Peer Support Counsellors next Monday (April 8). 

The women have spent five weeks training to provide non-judgmental breastfeeding support and information on the normal course of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers and breastfeeding problems. 

They are available for one-on-one support, phone, text or email help, and drop-in sessions and home visits. 

Course facilitator Lisa Morfett said it had been an "absolute privilege" to get to know such a motivated group of mothers who want to support their community. 

"The peer supporter programme helps all whānau with feeding challenges and motherhood, empowering mums to make choices that suit their family."

The counsellors, who are from Winton and Invercargill, will become part of Otago and Southland Breastfeeding Support. 

There are now approximately 40 peer counsellors across Southland, including Gore and Te Anau. 

WellSouth Health Promotion specialist Bridget Rodgers said they were happy to have a valuable new addition of community support for breastfeeding mothers in Winton. 

"We’d like to let families know that if they ever need any support with breastfeeding there’s lots of help for them locally.” 

For further information, contact WellSouth on (03) 214 6436.