Become breastfeeding support volunteer

Is breastfeeding and helping others important to you?

Would you like to offer personalized assistance, answer questions and provide support, encouragement and information to breastfeeding mothers and their families?

Don't wait any longer and become part of Nourri-Source Montreal's network of 200 volunteers!

The role of the breastfeeding support volunteer 

• Accompany breastfeeding mothers and provide support by telephone if they request it, free of charge and on a voluntary basis;
• Offer active listening, encouragement and information to breastfeeding mothers and their families;
• Adopt a non-judgmental and respectful attitude towards families' choices in their interventions;
• Be involved in prenatal meetings, breastfeeding drop-in sessions and activities in their sector,
• Act in accordance with the Nourri-Source Federation's Code of Ethics. (in French only)

The benefits of becoming a breastfeeding support volunteer 

• Get involved and make a difference in your community according to your availability;
• Be part of a vast support network;
• Contribute to the normalization of breastfeeding and the emergence of a breastfeeding culture in Quebec;
• Feel the gratification of helping families and making a difference with them during their breastfeeding journey;
• Attend continuous education sessions and events of the organization;
• Receive discounted access to several conferences, seminars and training sessions given by its partners;
• Represent the organization during activities or special events;
• Have the right to speak and vote at the annual general meeting, in order to elect the members of the board of directors.

Basic training for breastfeeding support volunteers 

Duration : 13,5 heures

Location :online, on the secure Zoom platform

Due to the current pandemic, the training is given entirely online since April 2020.

Cost : free for Nourri-Source Montreal's aspiring support volunteers

Completely revised in 2019, the new support volunteer training includes basics of breastfeeding and active listening, as well as time for questions and group discussions.

The training aims to provide the knowledge and tools needed to begin mentorship and volunteer activities.

The training is offered in English and French and consists of three parts:

Volunteering at Nourri-Source Montreal and breastfeeding in Quebec (3h)

This first part allows the breastfeeding support volunteer to understand the context of her volunteer work. The functioning of Nourri-Source Montreal as well as the tools and resources available are presented. Then, the portrait of breastfeeding in Quebec is presented, which leads to some great discussions!

The basics of breastfeeding (6h)

This section is divided into two blocks, allowing the breastfeeding support volunteer to acquire relevant basic knowledge on breast anatomy and lactation physiology. It also addresses common breastfeeding issues and challenges from birth to weaning, enabling the breastfeeding support volunteers to support breastfeeding families appropriately, regardless of their personal journey.

Helping relationships and active listening (3h) and role playing (1,5h)

This last component is also divided into two parts. The first part consists of independently viewing videos on active listening and providing assistance. During the last block of training, the support volunteers will have the opportunity to discuss the content of the videos and to delve into certain concepts. Finally, the training ends with case studies and discussions to begin putting into practice what has been learned.

All four blocks must be taken to complete the basic training.

Please note that it is preferable to take all the blocks with the same group, but other arrangements can be made.

You will receive the links to register after attending the information session.