A team of specialist volunteers are offering breastfeeding support to new parents at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn (The QEH).
Three new infant feeding peer support volunteers have begun working on the maternity ward, while more volunteers are in training and recruitment is ongoing for additional volunteers.
The team are all mothers with personal experience of breastfeeding. Some mums struggle with breastfeeding because it can take time for both mother and baby to learn, and issues like latching difficulties, soreness, low milk supply or tiredness after birth can make it harder. The new volunteers are available to help new mothers in the early days of feeding their babies, offering advice and a listening ear for those who need additional support.
Making informed choices
Ruth Griggs, Specialist Infant Feeding Co-ordinator, at The QEH said: “One of my biggest passions is to support women to successfully breastfeed their babies and make informed choices around their feeding options.
“I am very excited to be establishing this service. The team all bring their own experience, passion and enthusiasm to the role. It can sometimes feel intimidating to ask questions of a professional but chatting to a volunteer who has the time to talk and can take a more informal approach, helps to develop connection, and break down barriers.
“As a staff member it is amazing to get to work alongside such dedicated individuals who give their time to support other women. I hope that as this service grows, I get to meet many more kind, passionate, individuals who want to support our team at The QEH to offer this wonderful feeding support to as many families as we can.”
‘A passion to help other women’
Voluntary Services Manager, Jo Rowe, said: “It has been my pleasure to develop this service with Ruth and the wider Infant Feeding Team. Establishing a role such as this helps to demonstrate the range of help and support volunteers can offer beyond the traditional view of volunteering roles. These specially trained volunteers will add a huge amount to the efforts of our infant feeding team.
“Our volunteers have all had different feeding journeys, but all share a passion to help other women. To watch them grow in confidence and become part of the ward team is a great thing to witness.”
Could you help?
More mothers are needed to become infant feeding peer support volunteers. To find out more, email the team at QEH Maternity here.
6 March 2026