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Get off to a good start with this guide offering help and support for breastfeeding.

1-to-1 support for breastfeeding

Midwives, health visitors and trained local volunteer mothers (peer supporters) are there to help you get breastfeeding off to a good start. They can give you lots of information and support when you need it.

If you need to speak to someone between midwife or health visitor appointments, you should find their contact details in your baby's personal child health record (PCHR), known as their "red book". Ask your midwife or health visitor to show you the page when you first get it.

You could also go to your local drop-in baby clinic to see a health visitor face to face.

Breastfeeding drop-ins, cafes and centres

These are all great places to make new friends and share the ups and downs of looking after a baby. There's no need to make an appointment - just go along when you can.

To find out what's available in your area:

Breastfeeding helplines and websites

Helplines

National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 100 0212

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers 0300 330 5453

La Leche League 0345 120 2918

National Childbirth Trust (NCT) 0300 330 0700

The Breastfeeding Network supporter line in Bengali and Sylheti: 0300 456 2421

Websites

Baby Café is a network of breastfeeding drop-in centres. Find your nearest drop-in by entering your postcode.

Bliss is a special-care baby charity that provides vital support and care to premature and sick babies across the UK.

The Breastfeeding Network provides breastfeeding support and information.

La Leche League offers mother-to-mother support with breastfeeding.

Lactation Consultants of Great Britain can help you find a lactation consultant near you.

Twins and Multiple Births Association (TAMBA) has information about feeding twins and triplets.

National Childbirth Trust (NCT) is a charity that provides information and support on all aspects of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, including breastfeeding.

UK Association for Milk Banking has information about using donated breast milk if your baby is premature or ill, and how to donate breast milk.

Got a breastfeeding question?

Sign in to Facebook, or use Amazon Alexa or Google Home to access the Start4Life Breastfeeding Friend chatbot for fast, friendly, trusted NHS advice anytime, day or night.

How your partner can support breastfeeding

Getting support from a partner can be very helpful for women who are breastfeeding. Practical ways dads and partners can help with breastfeeding include:

going to antenatal or breastfeeding sessions - some sessions are organised especially for partners. Ask your midwife or at a local Children's Centre for details.

giving emotional and practical support - praising and encouraging a breastfeeding mum can help to build her confidence.

arranging paternity leave - talk to your employer about paternity leave early, so you can plan leave that suits your family's needs.

making her life easier - for example, bring her dinner if the baby wants to feed at the same time, bring her a cup of tea and a book or magazine while she's feeding the baby, or perhaps arrange for family or friends to keep her company while you're at work.

doing your bit around the home - then your partner can focus on caring for your baby and getting breastfeeding off to a good start.

providing some stress relief - if you already have young children, take the stress away from mum by keeping them entertained while she feeds the baby.

getting involved in your baby's care - giving your baby their bath, changing nappies and being part of getting ready for bed are great ways to get close to your baby.

giving your baby a bottle of breast milk - once your partner feels happy and confident with breastfeeding, they may choose to begin expressing breast milk. You could give your baby a bottle of breast milk.

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Community content from HealthUnlocked

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Get off to a good start with this guide offering help and support for breastfeeding. Midwives, health visitors and trained local volunteer mothers (peer supporters) are there to help you get breastfeeding off to a good start. They can give you lots of information and support when you need it.

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If you're planning to bottle feed with expressed breast milk or infant formula, these tips will help keep your baby safe and healthy.

Buying bottle feeding equipment

You'll need a number of bottles and teats, as well as sterilising equipment.

There's no evidence that one type of teat or bottle is better than any other.

Simple bottles that are easy to wash and sterilise are probably best.

Making up bottles

Make sure your bottles and teats are sterilised and wash your hands thoroughly.

If you're using infant formula, follow the instructions on the packaging carefully when you make up the feed.

See how to make up baby formula.

How to bottle feed your baby

Bottle feeding is a chance to feel close to your baby and get to know them.

Make sure you're sitting comfortably. Enjoy holding your baby and looking into their eyes as you feed them.

Hold your baby fairly upright for bottle feeds. Support their head so they can breathe and swallow comfortably.

Brush the teat against your baby's lips and, when your they open their mouth wide, let them draw in the teat.

Always give your baby plenty of time to feed.

Keep the teat full

When bottle feeding, keep the teat full of milk, otherwise your baby will take in air.

If the teat goes flat while you're feeding, gently poke your little finger into the corner of your baby's mouth to release the suction.

If the teat gets blocked, replace it with another sterile teat.

Winding your baby

Your baby may take short breaks during a feed and may need to burp sometimes.

When your baby has had enough milk, hold them upright and gently rub or pat their back to bring up any wind.

Throw away unused milk

Throw away any unused formula or breast milk after you have finished bottle feeding your baby.

Be guided by your baby

All babies are different. Some want to feed more often that others, and some want more milk.

Just follow your baby's lead.

Feed them when they seem hungry and don't worry if they don't finish the bottle.

Don't leave your baby alone

Never leave your baby alone to feed with a propped-up bottle as they may choke on the milk.

Help with bottle feeding

Talk to your midwife, health visitor or other mothers who have bottle fed if you need help.

You'll find the phone number for your health visitor in your baby's red book.

Your questions about bottle feeding

Why doesn't my baby settle after feeds?

If your baby swallows air while bottle feeding, they may feel uncomfortable and cry.

After a feed, hold your baby upright against your shoulder or propped forward on your lap. Gently rub their back so any trapped air can find its way out.

There's no need to overdo it - wind isn't as big a problem as many people think.

Why does my baby sometimes vomit after feeds?

It's normal for babies to bring up a little milk during or just after a feed. This is called possetting, regurgitation or reflux.

Keep a muslin square handy just in case.

Check that the hole in your baby's teat is not too big. Drinking milk too quickly can make your baby sick.

Don't force them to take more milk than they want during a feed.

Sitting your baby upright on your lap after a feed may help.

If it happens a lot, or your baby is violently sick, seems to be in pain or you're worried for any other reason, talk to your health visitor or GP.

Can formula make my baby constipated?

When using formula, always use the amount of powder recommended on the packaging.

Don't add extra formula powder. Using too much can make your baby constipated and may cause dehydration.

If your baby is under 8 weeks old and hasn't done a poo for 2 to 3 days, talk to your midwife, health visitor or GP, particularly if they are gaining weight slowly.

Your baby should be gaining weight and have plenty of wet and dirty nappies.

Infant formula and allergies

If you think your baby might be allergic to or intolerant of formula, talk to your GP. If necessary, they can prescribe a special formula feed.

Some formula is labelled as hypoallergenic, but this isn't suitable for babies with a diagnosed cows' milk allergy.

Soya formula should only be given to babies under medical supervision.

Always talk to your GP before using hypoallergenic or soya-based formula.

Read more about cows' milk allergy and lactose intolerance.

Get Start4Life pregnancy and baby emails

For information and advice you can trust, sign up for weekly Start4Life pregnancy and baby emails.

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If you're planning to bottle feed with expressed breast milk or infant formula, these tips will help keep your baby safe and healthy. You'll need a number of bottles and teats, as well as sterilising equipment. There's no evidence that one type of teat or bottle is better than any other.

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Gloucester Baby Feeding Project

Who are we?
We are all local mums who have breastfed our children and have trained to be Breastfeeding Helpers and Supporters with the Breastfeeding Network.

What do we do?
We provide friendly help, information and support about breastfeeding through texts, phone calls and visits, so you can get the breastfeeding support that you want, when you want for as long as you want.

What next?
If you live in Gloucestershire and would like help with breastfeeding, give us a call or text 07871 174 566 with your name and postcode. We'll let you know if there's a BfN Supporter working in your area and put you in touch with them. Where there is no BfN support available, we'll let you know about other local breastfeeding support groups.

Alternatively, come along to one of our friendly Mama Latte support groups. click to view

You can also call Supporterline on 0300 100 0210 for breastfeeding help 9.30am - 9.30 pm every day of the week.

Calls provided by BT will be charged at 5 pence per minute. A call set-up fee of 3 pence per call applies to calls from BT residential lines. Mobile and other providers - charges may vary. The Breastfeeding Network is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland Company No. 330369 and Registered Scottish Charity No. SC027007.

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Gloucestershire - The Breastfeeding Network

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Gloucester Baby Feeding Project Who are we? We are all local mums who have breastfed our children and have trained to be Breastfeeding Helpers and Supporters with the Breastfeeding Network. What do we do? We provide friendly help, information and support about breastfeeding through texts, phone calls and visits, so you can get the breastfeeding ...

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GBSN Groups

CHELTENHAM

BAPS Breastfeeding and Peer Support:
Hesters Way Children’s Centre, next to the Primary School, Dill Avenue, Cheltenham GL51 0ES.
10-noon every Tuesday.

GLOBES Gardners Lane Offering Breastfeeding Encouragement and Support
Gardners Lane Children’s Centre, Gardners Lane, Cheltenham GL51 9JW. 12.30-2.00pm every Thursday.

CHURCHDOWN

CRIBS Churchdown Region Information and Breastfeeding Support:
Church Hall, St John’s Church, Churchdown GL3 2DB. 9.30-11.30am every Thursday.

CIRENCESTER

BEST Breastfeeding Encouragement and Support Team:
Springboard Children’s Centre, Trinity Road, Cirencester, GL7 1JU (Watermoor). 10-11.30am every Thursday.

DURSLEY

MOBS in Dursley, Mothers Offering Breastfeeding Support:
Parish Room, St James the Great Church, Dursley GL11 4JE. 10-noon every Monday.

STROUD

MOBS in Stroud, Mothers Offering Breastfeeding Support:
Parliament Street Children’s Centre, Bisley Old Road, Stroud GL5 1NL. 10.00-noon every Thursday.

TEWKESBURY

BABES Breastfeeding and Babies’ Early Support:
Noah’s Ark Children’s Centre, York Road, Priors Park, Tewkesbury GL20 5HU. 10.30-noon every Wednesday.

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NCT Breastfeeding helpline