# data[].attributes.body
find responsive bottle feeding here, also DH leaflet

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bottle feeding resources - Baby Friendly Initiative

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These resources cover a range of issues around bottle feeding, including making up feeds and responsive bottle feeding.

# data[].attributes.headline
First stage milk for the first year, then onto full fat cow's milk

# data[].attributes.subject
First stage milk for the first year, then onto full fat cow's milk

# data[].attributes.body
useful info here, comparing milks

# data[].attributes.headline
A short video on how your baby attaches to your breast

# data[].attributes.subject
A short video on how your baby attaches to your breast

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In this video, a breastfeeding counsellor helps a mother with her positioning and attachment whilst breastfeeding.

Key to achieving the Baby Friendly standards is a workforce able to support mothers to breastfeed effectively. This video provides some guidance on this.

You can see more of the 'From Bump to Breastfeeding' DVD on the Best Beginnings website.

Video not working? Contact us

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Positioning and attachment video - Baby Friendly Initiativ

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In this video, a breastfeeding counsellor helps a mother with her positioning and attachment whilst breastfeeding. Watch to learn more.

# data[].attributes.headline
Don't miss the dulcet tones of Ewan McGregor reading to your baby!

# data[].attributes.subject
Don't miss the dulcet tones of Ewan McGregor reading to your baby!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
UNICEF Ambassador Ewan McGregor reads Baby, I Love You, a special book which helps build loving and nurturing relationships between new parents and their baby, encouraging skin-to-skin contact, holding, stroking, playing and singing.

Find more resources to support relationship building:

Find more relationship building resources

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Baby I Love You video - Baby Friendly Initiative

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
UNICEF Ambassador Ewan McGregor reads Baby, I Love You, a book which helps build loving relationships between parents and babies.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This leaflet offers advice and information for parents on getting to know their baby and setting up the foundations for a close and loving relationship.

We now know that building a strong relationship between parents and their new baby will give them the best possible start in life and will help them to grow up happy and confident. This leaflet is free to download and helps parents to develop that strong relationship, starting in pregnancy and continuing into the early days, weeks and months of a baby's life.

Health professionals may want to use this leaflet in conjunction with the Baby Friendly guide to antenatal and postnatal conversations and accompanying signature sheets.

Printed copies cost £15 per pack (1-9 packs) or £11 per pack (10 or more packs). There are 50 leaflets per pack and this price includes P&P within UK. Order using the Baby Friendly Resources order form, which you can download from our Resources page.
Please note: Orders for UK delivery only, and include postage and packaging costs. Orders may take up to 7 working days to process. The Baby Friendly Initiative reserve the right to re-print items at any time. If you are looking to order audit tools or e-learning please use our digital resources order form. Our myth buster posters show the key Happy Baby messages in bright and colourful poster form - find out more.

Building a Happy Baby: A Guide for Parents

Baby Friendly standards

Support to build a close and loving relationship is a key element of the Baby Friendly standards. Find out more about embedding our standards in your service.

Find more relationship building resources

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Building a happy baby: A Guide for Parents Leaflet - Baby Friendly Initiative

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This leaflet helps parents to get to know their baby and to set up the foundations for a close and loving relationship.

# data[].attributes.body
Information about medication whilst breastfeeding

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Drugs in Breastmilk factsheets - The Breastfeeding Network

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These factsheets have been compiled by our Drugs in Breastmilk information service team of pharmacists. If you are unable to find the information you are looking for below, or you still have questions, you can contact the team by sending a private message via our Facebook page or via email. Please provide as much information as possible (age […]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Skin-to-skin contact is a key part of the Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative standards. It helps the baby to adjust to life outside the womb and is highly important for supporting mothers to initiate breastfeeding and to develop a close, loving relationship with their baby.

What is skin-to-skin contact?

Skin-to-skin contact is usually referred to as the practice where a baby is dried and laid directly on their mother's bare chest after birth, both of them covered in a warm blanket and left for at least an hour or until after the first feed. Skin-to-skin contact can also take place any time a baby needs comforting or calming and to help boost a mother's milk supply. Skin-to-skin contact is also vital in neonatal units, where it is often known as 'kangaroo care', helping parents to bond with their baby, as well as supporting better physical and developmental outcomes for the baby.

Why is skin-to-skin contact important?

There is a growing body of evidence that skin-to-skin contact after the birth helps babies and their mothers in many ways.

Calms and relaxes both mother and baby

Regulates the baby's heart rate and breathing, helping them to better adapt to life outside the womb

Stimulates digestion and an interest in feeding

Regulates temperature

Enables colonisation of the baby's skin with the mother's friendly bacteria, thus providing protection against infection

Stimulates the release of hormones to support breastfeeding and mothering.

Additional benefits for babies in the neonatal unit

Improves oxygen saturation

Reduces cortisol (stress) levels particularly following painful procedures

Encourages pre-feeding behaviour

Assists with growth

May reduce hospital stay

If the mother expresses following a period of skin-to-skin contact, her milk volume will improve and the milk expressed will contain the most up-to-date antibodies

What happens during skin-to-skin contact?

When a mother holds her baby in skin to skin contact after birth it initiates strong instinctive behaviours in both. The mother will experience a surge of maternal hormones and begin to smell, stroke and engage with her baby. Babies' instincts after birth will drive them to follow a unique process, which if left uninterrupted will result in them having a first breastfeed. If they are enabled to familiarise themselves with their mother's breast and achieve self attachment it is very likely that they will recall this at subsequent feeds, resulting in fewer breastfeeding problems.

After birth, babies who are placed skin-to-skin on their mother's chest will:

initially cry briefly - a very distinctive birth cry;

enter a stage of relaxation, where they display very little movement as they recover from the birth;

start to wake up, opening their eyes and showing some response to their mother's voice;

begin to move, initially little movements, perhaps of the arms, shoulders and head;

as these movements increase the baby will draw up their knees and appear to move or crawl towards the breast;

once they have found the breast, they will tend to rest for a little while (often this can be mistaken as the baby being not hungry or not wanting to feed);

after a period of rest the baby will start to familiarise with the breast, perhaps by nuzzling, smelling and licking around the area. This familiarisation period can last for some time and is important so should not be rushed. Sometimes it is tempting to help baby to attach at this time but try to remain patient to allow them to work out how best to attach themselves.

finally baby will self-attach and begin to feed. It may be that mother and baby need a little help with positioning at this stage.

once baby has suckled for a period of time, they will come off the breast and often both mother and baby will fall asleep.

Most term healthy babies will follow this process, providing it is not interrupted by anything, for example taking the baby away to weigh, or the mother going for a shower. Interrupting the process before the baby has completed this sequence, or trying to hurry them through the stages may lead to problems at subsequent breastfeeds. If mother has been given a lot of analgesia during labour baby may be drowsy and this process can take longer.

Vigilance as to the baby's well-being is a fundamental part of postnatal care in the first few hours after birth. For this reason, all normal observations of the mother and baby should continue and sensible safety precautions taken when required. For example, if a mother has taken drugs during labour that have made her drowsy, she should not be left alone with her baby in skin contact. In this situation her birth partner could keep an eye on the mother-baby pair, but would need to be properly informed about the responsibility.

Skin-to-skin contact in the Baby Friendly standards

The Baby Friendly standards require that skin-to-skin contact is valued and supported in hospitals.

Maternity units are required to ensure that:

All mothers have skin-to-skin contact with their baby after birth, at least until after the first feed and for as long as they wish.

All mothers are encouraged to offer the first feed in skin contact when the baby shows signs of readiness to feed.

Mothers and babies who are unable to have skin contact immediately after birth are encouraged to commence skin contact as soon as they are able, whenever or wherever that may be.

Neonatal units are required to ensure that:

Parents have a conversation with an appropriate member of staff as soon as possible about the importance of touch, comfort and communication for their baby's health and development.

Parents are actively encouraged to provide comfort and emotional support for their baby including prolonged skin contact, comforting touch and responsiveness to their baby's behavioural cues.

Mothers receive care that supports the transition to breastfeeding, including the use of skin-to-skin contact to encourage instinctive feeding behaviour.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Skin-to-skin contact - Baby Friendly Initiative

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skin-to-skin contact is usually referred to as the practice where a baby is dried and laid directly on their mother's bare chest after birth, both of them covered in a warm blanket and left for at least an hour or until after the first feed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Newborn baby poo in nappies: what to expect

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Your baby’s nappy can tell you a lot - find out more here.

# data[].attributes.body
This looks brilliant - from Sarah W

# data[].attributes.body
Feeding Cues

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Babies instinctively let us know when they need to be fed. This article will help you to recognise when your baby needs to be fed. This can help to make breastfeeding work well for both of you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We're here to support you and your unique experience of pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood.

Our vision is that everyone who becomes a parent feels confident, connected, and safe.

We share evidence-based information you can trust

We create opportunities to connect with other parents

We listen to your experiences, amplify all parents' voices and campaign for change

We are strong advocates for improving experiences of pregnancy, birth, infant feeding, and early parenthood, equitably, for all parents.

Access networks of support and build friendships through our courses and community events.

Use our resources to make informed decisions that feel right for you.

Information for parents

If you're pregnant or a new parent, we know that you will have a number of questions and concerns about coronavirus. In our sections below, we've created a range of articles about how coronavirus might affect your pregnancy, birth and early days as a parent.

Pregnancy

When it comes to your pregnancy, we've got it covered. You'll find everything you need to help you feel confident and reassured over the next nine months right here.
Find out more

Labour & birth

Thinking about how, what happens and where to give birth? We're here to help you feel more confident. We've got information and tips on everything you need to know.
Find out more

Baby & toddler

Your baby's arrived and you've probably got 101 things on your mind. Don't worry, you're not on your own. We're here with information and support as your baby develops.
Find out more

Life as a parent

You've just had a baby and everyone is focused on your little one. But how about you? We're with you on your journey with support and tips from other mums and dads.
Find out more

Courses and workshops

Interactive, engaging and social, our antenatal course is a fun and exciting way to grow your knowledge of birth and early parenthood, and make life-long friends.
View all courses & workshops

Local activities and meet-ups

Our local activities and meet-ups can help you build up a supportive social network around you.

Support NCT Charity by becoming a member

Join NCT and there's great member benefits for you - exclusive live talks, money-saving offers & competitions, digital magazine & quick-read newsletters, plus early entry to every NCT Nearly New Sale - whilst you help fund free support for others.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The UK's leading charity for parents | NCT

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We are the charity that supports people as they become parents. We're here for you through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
ABM are a group of trained volunteers dedicated to supporting breastfeeding mums and their families. We’ve been supporting mums and nurturing families for almost 40 years. We’d love you to join us. Become a member of the ABM and help us continue our work.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Friendly breastfeeding support from pregnancy onward.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Vitamin D

To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin.

However, between October and early March we should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight. Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round, so find out if this applies to you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin. However, between October and early March we should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight.

# data[].attributes.headline
How can I tell if breastfeeding is going well?

# data[].attributes.subject
How can I tell if breastfeeding is going well?

# data[].attributes.body
Safe sleep information

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Help save babies' lives

Our work is entirely reliant on donations. Support from people like you has saved 29,000 babies' lives since 1991. Please donate today to help give little lives big futures.

We use cookies to give you the best possible online experience. If you continue, we will assume you are happy for your web browser to receive all cookies from our website. Accept

How to reduce the risk of SIDS

Our safer sleep advice gives simple steps for how you can sleep your baby to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which is commonly known as cot death. It can give you the peace of mind to enjoy this special time.

Our advice is based on strong scientific evidence and should be followed for all sleep periods, not just at night.

If you have any questions about SIDS or safer sleep, please call our information line on 0808 802 6869 (lines open Monday-Friday 10am-2pm).

Watch our free presentations on how to sleep your baby safely and reduce the risk of SIDS

Things you can do

Always place your baby on their back to sleep

Keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth

Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months

Breastfeed your baby

Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition

Things to avoid

Never sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby

Don't sleep in the same bed as your baby if you smoke, drink or take drugs or are extremely tired, if your baby was born prematurely or was of low birth-weight

Avoid letting your baby get too hot

Don't cover your baby's face or head while sleeping or use loose bedding

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) for your baby by following our safer sleep advice. The advice is based on strong scientific evidence.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We offer breastfeeding support on the phone, every day of the year, 9.30am to 9.30pm. Call Charges to all helplines apply. Calls to 0300 numbers cost no more than calls to UK numbers starting 01 and 02 and will be part of any inclusive minutes that apply to your provider and call package.

National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0212

The National Breastfeeding Helpline is a helpline run in collaboration with the Breastfeeding Network (BfN) and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM). All the volunteers answering calls are mums who have breastfed, and all have received extensive training in breastfeeding support. Calls are diverted to the next available ABM or BfN volunteer. The Helpline is funded by Public Health England and the Scottish Government.

Support is also available in Welsh and Polish via the National Breastfeeding Helpline - call 0300 100 0212 and press 1 for Welsh and 2 for Polish.

Rydyn ni'n cefnogi mamau trwy'r gyfrwng y Gymraeg - ffoniwch 0300 100 0212 ac wedyn gwasgwch opsiwn 1.

W naszej ofercie nowy serwis z informacjami dotyczącymi karmienia piersią i emocjonalnym wsparciem mam w języku polskim. Zadzwoń pod numer 0300 100 0212 po czym wybierz 2

BSL users in Scotland can contact the helpline via contactSCOTLAND-BSL, Scotland's national video relay interpreting service for public bodies and third sector organisations.

Supporterline is run by BfN Registered Breastfeeding Supporters. Supporters are mums, who have breastfed their own babies and who have received extensive training in providing breastfeeding information and support. They work on a voluntary basis and are based in their own homes.

BfN Supporterline in Bengali / Sylheti: 0300 456 2421

Breastfeeding support available for Bengali and Sylheti speakers. If a volunteer is not available to take your call, a message can be left and someone will get back to you. Lines are open 9:30 am to 9:30 pm, 7 days a week.

Drugs In Breastmilk Information Service

For a while we have noticed that majority of enquiries from parents and professionals to the Drugs in Breastmilk Helpline have come via email or social media. As a charity operating on reducing funds we are keen to run the service in the most efficient and effective way possible without compromising the needs of parents. As a result we have decided to run the Drugs in Breastmilk service via email and social media enquiry only. This means that we will gradually remove the helpline number from all printed literature and ask that if you currently advertise the Drugs in Breastmilk helpline number that you remove it and replace it with the following information: 'If you have specific questions about medications or treatments, please message the Drugs in Breastmilk information service Facebook page or email druginformation@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk. If you require breastfeeding support, please call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212."

Evaluation

Click here to read the Evaluation of the National Breastfeeding Helpline impact in Scotland carried out in 2017.

Click here to read the 2012 UCLAN evaluation of the National Breastfeeding Helpline.
Page last updated May 2017

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Breastfeeding Helplines - The Breastfeeding Network

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We offer breastfeeding support on the phone, every day of the year, 9.30am to 9.30pm. Call Charges to all helplines apply. Calls to 0300 numbers cost no more than calls to UK numbers starting 01 and 02 and will be part of any inclusive minutes that apply to your provider and call package.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Gloucestershire Real Nappy Project | Glosfamilies Directory

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Discount vouchers, special offer packs, loan kits and talks are offered through the Gloucestershire Real Nappy Project (GRNP). Andrea and Kirstie, the Real Nappy project officers, can be contacted by emailing glosnappies@resourcefutures.co.uk.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Gloucestershire Breastfeeding Supporters' Network - Friendly and free breastfeeding support groups run weekly

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
GBSN is a team of qualified Breastfeeding Counsellors and network of volunteer Peer Supporters who are here to help you reach those goals, adapt to your baby's needs and above all, ensure you feel supported in your breastfeeding journey.