What is the difference between a mother-to-other support group and a mothers’ support group?
One form of mother-to-mother support is the “support group.” A mother-to-mother support group is initiated and operated by a mother who facilitates the meeting. She may have received training, but her primary qualification is that she is a mother with breastfeeding experience. At the meetings new, as well as experienced mothers, share information and are encouraged to voice their doubts and concerns. A mothers’ support group may be facilitated by a health care provider or someone who is considered an expert in a certain field. The facilitator may not be a mother or belong to the same peer group. Mothers’ support groups can take place in the context of “clubs” formed for the purpose of credit, arts/crafts, sewing, etc. In some mothers’ support groups, new, as well as experienced mothers, share information and are encouraged to voice their doubts and concerns; in others, information is given via talks or lectures.
