Maggie,

I suggest that you get in contact with La Leche League.  While also attending
meetings to get the feel of how a peer group works, you will be learning more
about breastfeeding.  The Leader might be willing to give you a hand with the
peer group even if only to be a mentor.  She should also be able to get you
information on the nearest Peer Counselor training workshop.  There should be
lots of reading material in their Group library to help you along also.

I am an LC at WIC where we have upon occasion had women volunteer to talk to
our mothers over the phone or lead BF support groups.  There are situations
where there isn't enough physical room within the facility to accommodate an
additional person.  Some coordinators are just not comfortable with
volunteers.  Some WIC BF programs have a Peer Counselor training program while
others do not.  Some will pay the PC while others cannot.  Sometimes there
just isn't time to train a brand new peer counselor if a training policy is
not in effect. You might try again after getting some training and experience
(your support group at Head Start).

One of the things we find to be extremely helpful during BF classes or support
group meetings is having an experienced BF mother there who can relate to the
others.  The other mothers will listen to her a whole lot more then to the
group leader.  If you will be working with teens, try to find a savvy BF teen.
Make the group as comfortable, relaxed and as nonjudgmental as possible.  It
should be a place where the mothers will be accepted as they are.  Having a
refreshment -- maybe water or juice and a small snack -- helps make the
meeting more inviting.

Good luck!  Hope it all works well for you.

Linda Barrett, IBCLC