What is the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers?

The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM) is a voluntary organisation founded in 1979 by a group of mothers experienced in breastfeeding counselling. Charity status was awarded to the organisation in 1980 and the Association continues to grow steadily throughout the UK.

As we are a charitable organisation, we rely on grants, donations and membership subscriptions to continue our aims. We also work hard to minimise our costs and justify all our expenditure. 

Members of the ABM are mainly mothers who are breastfeeding or have breastfed their children in the past. Some breastfed easily without problems and some have experienced varying degrees of difficulty. Other members include supportive health professionals such as midwives, health visitors, lactation consultants and GPs. 

“It is our aim to promote the physical and psychological health of mothers and children through education in the techniques of breastfeeding and to advance the education of the public, especially those persons concerned with the care of children on the health benefits of breastfeeding, both immediate and long term” (extract from our constitution) 

How can we help you? 

Counselling 

We operate a voluntary telephone helpline for any mother who needs to speak to a trained breastfeeding counsellor. You will be connected to your nearest available counsellor. We also offer counselling by letter and email, although urgent counselling is best done by telephone. If necessary and practical, a mother may receive a home visit from, or may herself visit, a trained counsellor. However, home visits are entirely at the discretion of any counsellor involved and cannot be guaranteed. 

Website

Our comprehensive website offers up to date breastfeeding information, new research as it becomes available, details of breastfeeding support groups throughout the UK and links to other useful sites. You can apply for membership and order publications. Our booklist points you to the best titles on breastfeeding. 

Information

Our resources department supplies information on breastfeeding-related topics including booklets, leaflets, posters, contact cards, ‘tummy bags’ and more. 

Training 

We train our counsellors to the highest standards possible in order to offer up to date, accurate evidence-based breastfeeding information. We also offer a limited training course for mums to become Mother Supporters, and Peer Supporters for Sure Start and other groups, if they choose not to undertake full counsellor training. We can also provide update training to health professionals, antenatal breastfeeding classes for parents and classes to schoolchildren about breastfeeding.

Full breastfeeding counsellor training takes approximately two years to complete and counsellors have regular supervision. Our counsellors are required to update their knowledge regularly.

Support groups 

The ABM encourages the formation of breastfeeding support groups to suit individual and local circumstances. It isn’t necessary to be a counsellor to start a support group but trained counsellors will often be happy to attend a group to offer support and information. Support groups can be a valuable source of contact for breastfeeding mothers. They offer mums an opportunity to meet and share experiences with other breastfeeding mums, expand their own knowledge of breastfeeding and widen their social circle. This can help when a new mum might be feeling isolated and out of touch with the world at large. We can offer advice to anyone wishing to set up a support group of their own and there is helpful information in our breastfeeding information pack. 

Breast pumps 

Many of our counsellors are breast pump agents. They can answer enquiries and advise on the use of pumps. If a mum needs to hire a breast pump, whether for a short period of time or long term, they can help make the necessary arrangements on her behalf. 

Promotional events 

The ABM offers its services to ante and postnatal groups, schools, and other community groups who require specialised information on breastfeeding. The ABM attends promotional events. We hold an annual conference and are represented on most major working groups and committees advising the government on other interested bodies on breastfeeding-related matters. 

Who can join the ABM? 

In a word, anyone. All members share an interest in breastfeeding, and supporting mums who breastfeed their babies. You do not have to be a mother to join and, if you are, you don’t need to have breastfed your baby. Expectant mothers are especially welcome, and may find membership helpful as they progress through their pregnancy. 

What are the benefits of membership? 

Your subscription helps us to support others by funding our helpline, producing up to date information, training counsellors and campaigning to change legislation to support breastfeeding mothers. If you would like to get involved, we always need volunteers to help us in our work with jobs ranging from clerical to fundraising. You will receive a magazine three times a year containing articles on breastfeeding, mums’ experiences, research and other interesting topics. You’re welcome to submit articles, comments and photos to ‘your’ magazine. We also produce a regular e-Newsletter to keep in touch with members between magazines.

Welcome Pack

When you join the ABM you will receive a welcome pack of information about breastfeeding and breastfeeding-related topics, with something for everyone: new mums, experienced breastfeeders and health professionals, plus two of our most recent magazines. 

Please remember that you can always buy a Gift Membership for a friend or relative. Ask for more details. 

Finally ... 

We work hard to ensure that good, accurate information on breastfeeding is available to all those who require it and to offer support to breastfeeding mothers in need. We need your support to help us continue this valuable work, so please consider helping us by joining the Association or making a donation. Fill in the membership application on this leaflet and send it with your subscription or join the ABM via our website.