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Breastfeeding support is available for anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, expressing, combination feeding or wanting to breastfeed.

Local, trained volunteers - Koala Breastfeeding -provide information and support for all ages and stages.

Cheshire families can join the closed Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/bosombuddieschester

For 1-2-1 support, families in Cheshire can also message via the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BosomBuddiesBFSupport/

Wirral families can join the closed Facebook Koala community https://www.facebook.com/groups/708442230363247?locale=en_GB

To register for local support in all areas, complete this link https://forms.gle/19CtwPwLqXzScf1J6

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National Breastfeeding Helpline - Helpline

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This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website.

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Koala North West deliver a range of services that a broader than just antenatal education and breastfeeding support. Including free groups like Full Circle a multi generational stay and play, play sessions and courses for new parents

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Full Circle is a group for socially isolated parents and older members of our community, bringing three generations together.

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Self attachment of a baby straight after birth 

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Self attachment of a baby straight after birth 

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Koala North West provide a range of support services for families across Cheshire West and can offer practical help, emotional support and signposting for families

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We continue to follow government guidelines, meaning we are still unable to do home visits. We are however open for referrals to all of our services, just call us on 0151 608 8288 or email admin@koalanw.co.uk. Groups and Parenting Courses are running again, with a booking system in place for all groups/courses.

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Breastfeeding positions and latching video 

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Breastfeeding positions and latching video 

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Good attachment will help a baby get more milk and make breastfeeding more comfortable. This video shows why good attachment is so important to breastfeeding success and what a mother can do to deeply attach her baby to her breast.

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Attaching Your Baby at the Breast - Video - Global Health Media Project

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Good attachment will help a baby get more milk and make breastfeeding more comfortable. This video shows why good attachment is so important to breastfeeding

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Positioning and latching baby on for breastfeeding 

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Positioning and latching baby on for breastfeeding 

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Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds.

Koala North West exists to provide children and their families with tailored practical and emotional support that improves well-being, reduces isolation and ...

Jun 29, 2022 · Did you know Koala NW has a Youtube channel with lots of free tips and videos, Follow the link to see our video on Position and Attachment ...

Spanning across Wirral, Cheshire and Merseyside, covering everything from neonatal care to family well-being and early learning. Families are our focus.

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Koala north West youtube - Google Search

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Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds. Koala North West exists to provide children and their families with tailored practical and emotional support that improves well-being, reduces isolation and ...

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Starting Well services to support parents 

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Starting Well services to support parents 

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For more information about support services contact your health visitor

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Welcome to the Starting Well website! On here you will find lots of information about your health and wellbeing, guiding you to extra support if you need it.

Starting Well Service 'Outstanding for Care' CQC
Please click this link to read more...

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Welcome to the Starting Well website! On here you will find lots of information about your health and wellbeing, guiding you to extra support if you need it. Starting Well Service 'Outstanding for Care' CQC Please click this link to read more...

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The groups are designed to give your little one a fun and safe environment to learn, develop, make friends and play. They give parents the chance to meet other parents from the local area and establish friendships.

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Looking after yourself - information about perinatal mental health 

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Looking after yourself - information about perinatal mental health 

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https://www.cwp.nhs.uk/our-services/cheshire-west-chester/Talking-therapies-cheshire-west

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Skip to main content Skip to accessibility tools

Please note that the IAPT service is not a crisis service, and we are not able to see people who are in a crisis or who need urgent help.

The Talking Therapies service (formerly Improving Access to Psychological Therapies -IAPT) is for adults and older people aged 16 years and over, with mild, moderate and moderate-to-severe symptoms of anxiety or depression, who are likely to benefit from brief psychological therapy.
Using a stepped care approach, the team provides screening assessments and psychological interventions to individuals suffering with common mental health problems. They provide a range of evidence based psychological interventions, where all their therapies follow guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

There are a variety of ways in which they can offer you help depending on your needs, these include: computerised packages, group interventions, telephone contacts or individual sessions.

What to expect

Initially, you will be offered a telephone screening appointment to discuss the problem you are currently experiencing and want help with. As part of this you will be asked to complete some questionnaires about how you are currently feeling. These can also be completed online prior to the assessment. A decision will then be made about what help will be most beneficial for you at this time.

It is important to understand that psychological interventions can be hard work, both during and in between contacts. It is important to realise that there will be no overnight changes; it could take time and commitment to benefit from therapy.

At the end of each contact with a psychological practitioner, tasks you will need to complete before your next session will be agreed so you can put into practice the knowledge and skills you learn. Your progress towards achieving your specific goals will be reviewed at each contact. Research shows that people who set goals and carry out 'homework' recover quicker and stay recovered for longer.

It is important that you are able to make a commitment to regular contacts; whether they are over the telephone, group or face to face sessions, to get the best from psychological help.

About the team

The West Cheshire Talking Therapies Team consists of a range of Psychological Practitioners. These include: Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWP's), Cognitive Behavioural Therapists (CBT Therapists), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapists (EMDR Therapists) and Counsellors.

The team provides services across Western Cheshire, which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston, Chester, Chester Rural, Frodsham and Helsby. These clinic appointments are provided within local GP surgeries, community clinic venues, or hospital locations.

Self-help advice and resources

Self-help is a broad term that refers to improving mental health or personal wellness without extensive professional help. It can be used for a variety of issues and you can do this work in your own time to help with problems such as stress, anxiety and depression.

They can also be convenient if:

you are wanting information about the problems you are experience o help you understand what you are experiencing and suggestions of what you can do to manage these more effectively

you are short of time, you have family or work commitments

you can't get out easily

For some, this is enough to help and they no longer need therapy as they can put into practice the information they have been looking in to. Whilst for others, educational reading and self-help techniques from a range of different resources can help individual prepare for therapy and find it easier to engage with. The list below details some recommended online self-help materials and resources:

Northumberland self help - this includes a large range of self-help guides that are available to download in several formats. Information is available on abuse, alcohol, anxiety, bereavement, self-esteem, depression, controlling anger, and much more.

Moodjuice website - on the Moodjuice site, you can print off various self-help guides covering conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, panic and sleep problems.

Moodgym - Moodgym is a free, web based programme that a range of self-help information for low mood.

Get Self Help - Get Self Help is a website based on CBT techniques and information.

CCI Health - the CCI Health site focuses on anxiety, low mood and eating disorders.

Life Signs - the Life Signs side aims to raise awareness about self-injury and provide information and support to people of all ages affected by self-injury.

No More Panic - the No More Panic site provides information about Panic, Anxiety, Phobias and OCD.

Big White Wall - this is the support network for emotional wellbeing. It also provides resources for Serving Personnel, Veterans and their families.

Online help

If you would like to access an online programme and work alongside a practitioner then SilverCloud could be a useful option for you. SilverCloud enables you to access a programme full of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) techniques for anxiety and depression. It allows you to complete therapy in your own time, at a time and pace that suits you, whilst having regular online reviews with a qualified mental health practitioner. It is particularly useful for individuals that would struggle to attend regular appointments during the day.

You can view a video for more information below:

Who is this service for?

The service is for anyone aged 16 and older who is living in West Cheshire and experiencing any of the following difficulties:

Depression and Low mood

Panic Disorder

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Health Anxiety and Medically Unexplained Symptoms

Social Phobia

Specific Phobia

Single Incident Trauma (PTSD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Adjustment Disorder

Bereavement & Loss

Insomnia

Low Self-Esteem

Anxiety/ depression in people with long term conditions

Post-natal anxiety/depression

How to access this service

You can access the service in more than one way:

Make a self-referral by calling us

Our administration team are available to take your Self-Referral call on 0151 488 8348 between the hours of 9am and 5pm Mon to Fri excluding Bank holidays. They will take your details along with a brief description of your problem and a mental health nurse will review your referral and an appointment will be sent to you within a few days.

GP/health professional referral

The IAPT service will accept referrals from GPs or other healthcare professionals (e.g. health visitors or community nurses). If you ask your GP to refer you to the service, he or she will be able to complete our referral form and refer you to our service.

Make a self-referral to acess SilverCloud online therapy

To use the SilverCloud platform, you can complete a self-referral form on the Patient Portal website. Once you have completed the form, the system will inform you whether this option is appropriate for you. If it is appropriate, you will be contacted directly by a member of the team.

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Skip to main content Skip to accessibility tools Please note that the IAPT service is not a crisis service, and we are not able to see people who are in a crisis or who need urgent help.

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Before baby is born you can attend Koala North West's free antenatal course delivered on behalf of the Starting Well 0-19 team. Cheshire West families can attend our Womb to World course either face to face in Ellesmere Port, Chester or Winsford, or online. Sessions complement maternity antenatal courses and cover Building connections in utero, preparing to become a parent, the role of partners, birth and the golden hour, feeding and what to expect in the fourth trimester.

You can also attend one of Koala North West's Breastfeeding groups antenatally to meet local parents and for more information about feeding your baby.

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Womb to World Poster (Chester - Ellesmere Port) (1)

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Breastfeeding Twins and Triplets is possible but may require more support. Some parents find tandem feeding is more practical https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEtv6IGatUk Information and support for parents with more than one baby can be found here https://breastfeedingtwinsandtriplets.co.uk/

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Information and support for new Dads including weekly drop in sessions and online support Dad Matters - Warrington, Halton and Cheshire | Warrington | Facebook

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Delivered by Koala North West, Family Hubs, Maternity services and our 0-19 Health visiting service.

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Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

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Antenatal group sessions - Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

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Free sessions delivered in partnership with 0-19+ Service Wirral, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (WUTH) and Koala North West.

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Local hospitals offer a range of services to support women who would like to breastfeed both before baby is born and after their little on arrives:

https://www.coch.nhs.uk/all-services/infant-feeding/infant-feeding-services.aspx

https://www.mcht.nhs.uk/our-services/maternity/feeding-your-baby

https://www.wuth.nhs.uk/maternity-services/postnatal-care/community/infant-feeding-specialists/#:~:text=Arrowe%20Park%20Hospital%200151%20678%205111

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For many mothers breastfeeding is easy-baby is born, attaches to the breast on his own, milk flows and baby grows. However it is not so straightforward for some mothers. Problems can include baby not wanting to breastfeed, low milk supply, painful breastfeeding and more. Most problems can be prevented or overcome with a little prior knowledge and some skilled support. This article discusses how to get a good start to breastfeeding and is a companion article to Breastfeeding Tips for Newborns.

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#1 Find out what to expect

Find out as much about breastfeeding as you can before your baby arrives so you know what to expect. Knowing the answers to common questions can help avoid any problems. How do I position my baby to breastfeed? What if breastfeeding hurts? Do babies have one breast or two per feed? How often do babies breastfeed? How do I know if my baby has had enough milk? Do I need a breast pump or any other equipment? Why did I have difficulties breastfeeding my first baby? For answers to these questions and more:

#2 Birth matters

Birth practices can promote or undermine breastfeeding . Where possible, having an unmedicated, active birth can help to get a good start to breastfeeding because:

Pain killing drugs and epidural drugs can and do find their way to the baby to make him drowsy and less interested in breastfeeding, sometimes for several days.

Instrumental deliveries such as forceps or ventouse can leave a baby feeling bruised and uncomfortable.

Having intravenous (IV) fluids (a drip) can also interfere with latching (the way baby attaches to the breast) if extra fluids enter your breast tissue (see Engorged Breasts).

Some birth practices can delay milk coming in see No Breast Milk After Delivery.

If a baby is sleepy, stressed or in pain they may not be able to tap into their natural instincts to breastfeed-they may not want to breastfeed at all at first. Not breastfeeding as soon as possible (in the first hour after birth is ideal!) could delay getting breastfeeding established and could interfere with your milk supply later (see #3 and #6 below). For more information see Birth and Breastfeeding by LLLGB and When Baby Won't Breastfeed.

#3 The power of skin-to-skin

Your baby wants and expects to be held close in skin-to-skin contact after birth. The first hour after birth is particularly important for your baby to rest undisturbed in skin-to-skin contact and have their first breastfeed. When your baby is in the right place next to his food source (the breast), a baby can use his senses of touch, smell, sight and taste to find the nipple himself-just as other mammal babies find their mother's teat on their own after birth. Skin-to-skin contact helps your baby latch, promotes the hormones needed for milk production, regulates your baby's heartbeat, temperature and breathing and makes him feel safe. Skin-to-skin contact includes letting a baby use their hands-take off any scratch mittens and see Why Skin-to-Skin? for more benefits of skin-to-skin contact.

Breastfeed in the first hour after birth

Jane Morton of Stanford University explains the benefits of breastfeeding in the first hour after birth (sometimes called the golden hour) in Successful Breastfeeding Begins Right at Birth. Benefits include:

Strong feeding instincts. All baby mammals' instincts and feeding reflexes are primed to help them find their mother's teat straight after birth

Birth hormones (e.g. oxytocin) help to push milk forward and make breastfeeding or hand expression easiest during the first hour

Sends a strong signal to the milk factory to start milk production.

#4 Comfortable breastfeeding-position and latch

The way a baby attaches to the breast is often called their attachment or latch. The way a baby is held to the breast (their positioning) also affects how they can latch on. Getting a comfortable latch where baby has a big mouthful of breast tissue as well as the nipple is important so they can get plenty of breast milk when they suckle. The more breast milk your baby takes away from the breast at each feed the more milk will be made to replace it. See "How to Breastfeed" in Breastfeeding Tips for Newborns for more information on getting started or see Breastfeeding Positions for Newborns, Latching Tips and Breastfeeding Videos.

#5 Frequent feeds

Babies have small tummies and breast milk is digested quickly. Newborns therefore need to feed very often day and night, at least 8-12 times per 24 hours can be expected. How often milk is removed from the breasts is important both for a baby's next feed and for your milk volume later because:

Milk is made on demand, the more milk that is taken by a baby (or pump) the more will be made to replace it

Frequent breastfeeds in the early weeks helps calibrate milk production later as baby grows

See How Often Should a Newborn Feed? and Breastfeeding Tips for Newborns for more reading.

#6 If baby won't breastfeed

Be prepared that if your baby doesn't latch straight away it isn't because he doesn't like breastfeeding, it's because he can't... yet. Plenty of skin-to-skin contact (#3) and good breastfeeding support (#10) can help with this. If your baby isn't latching:

Hand express

Start hand expressing your colostrum (the first breast milk) straight away after the birth. The sooner you can start this the better for your milk supply. Starting in the first hour after birth is ideal and is discussed in Stanford University's video Successful Breastfeeding Begins at Birth. Your midwife can also help you if needed and see Hand Expressing Breast Milk. Colostrum can be collected in a small spoon or syringe (it will just be small volumes at first) and fed to your baby. Hand expressing as often as your baby would be breastfeeding-at least every two hours-will stimulate your milk supply and keep your baby well fed.

Pump

Once the volume you can express increases as your milk comes in, you can use a breast pump. Using an electric pump every couple of hours during the day and every four hours at night will protect your milk supply until your baby can latch.

Frequent feeds-keep your baby well fed

Feed your baby all your expressed breast milk by syringe, cup, small spoon or bottle until baby is ready to latch. Avoid letting your baby sleep for long periods-feed your baby at least every two hours at first. A baby might be having 30ml breast milk per feed by day three, 30‑60ml per feed by day four, 60‑90ml per feed in the second and third weeks of life and 90‑150ml per feed in months one to six. Your health professional or IBCLC lactation consultant may recommend specific volumes of milk for your baby based on their weight.

Provide opportunities to latch

Hold your baby in skin-to-skin contact as much as possible to give them an opportunity to latch using their natural reflexes. There can be lots of reasons why a baby doesn't latch straight away; lactation consultant Diane Wiessinger gives examples in My Baby Just Doesn't Get It. For one to one help contact a breastfeeding specialist to help you and see When Baby Won't Breastfeed and How to Get Baby Back to Breast.

Don't panic if you can't get your baby to latch on. Babies have a strong instinct to latch for many months, there is plenty of time yet to work on attachment with your breastfeeding specialist. Do pump though! It is very important to protect your milk supply if your baby can't latch by removing any breast milk from the breasts. By frequently removing colostrum (the first milk) and breast milk by hand expression and pumping, your milk supply will be protected and you will have a supplement to keep your baby well fed.

#7 Avoid artificial teats

A baby needs to use a different sucking technique at the breast to that used with an artificial teat. Some babies can get confused between the two techniques (nipple confusion) or begin to prefer the bottle teat over the breast (nipple preference). Avoiding dummies and bottle teats can help to get a good start to breastfeeding by avoiding nipple preference or confusion. Avoiding formula, unless it is medically indicated, will mean all your baby's sucking is at the breast to stimulate your milk supply. If needed, alternative ways to give small volumes of milk to your baby include using a spoon, syringe or cup feeding. For larger volumes you could consider supplementing at the breast with a supplemental nursing system. If you do need to use a bottle, there are ways to make bottle-feeding more like breastfeeding to help avoid nipple confusion. For more reading see:

#8 Special situations

Certain situations may need individualised support to achieve a good start to breastfeeding. Perhaps your baby has been born earlier than expected, or you have inverted nipples, perhaps you have had breast reduction surgery, breast implants or have a medical condition that could affect milk supply. Perhaps you found breastfeeding a previous baby didn't work out and wonder if it will happen again. If you have any concerns it's a good idea to chat with a breastfeeding specialist before your baby is born, or as early as possible afterwards, so that you know exactly how to get breastfeeding off to the best start for your situation. Some parents may be interested to find out more about expressing colostrum antenatally which can be helpful in several situations.

#9 Know when help is needed

Getting help at the earliest sign of breastfeeding difficulty from a breastfeeding specialist is important. The longer problems are left, the more difficult they can be to put right. Painful nipples, lack of poop, jaundice, poor weight gain and prolonged engorgement are all potential red flags that breastfeeding is not going as well as it could be.

Pain

Does breastfeeding hurt? Painful, sore nipples are a sign that something is wrong. Breastfeeding should not hurt, even in the first few days. Breastfed babies feed very often as their tummies are small and breast milk is quickly digested. They might feed every couple of hours or more often. With such frequent feeds, a mother could quickly become sore and have cracked or damaged nipples if the latch is painful. Not only this, if a baby is latched to the nipples without a big mouthful of breast, it will be harder for them to get enough milk. For more reading see Why Does Breastfeeding Hurt? and Causes of Sore Nipples.

Dirty nappies

Is baby having plenty of dirty nappies? A lack of dirty nappies in the first few weeks could be a sign that baby isn't getting enough breast milk. When a baby is getting enough milk in the first week, there will usually be a clear sequence of colour changes of their poo. The colour of poop will gradually change from black to mustard in the first five days and will increase in volume. After the first five days, at least three to four dirty nappies with yellow or mustard poop every day are a good sign that feeding is going well. The number of wet nappies will also increase. See Breastfed Baby Poop for further information.

Jaundice

Is your baby jaundiced? Increasing yellowing of the skin (jaundice) may be an indicator of poor transfer of breast milk in the early days after birth. A certain amount of jaundice is normal, and is caused by a breakdown of excess red blood cells which makes yellow bilirubin that leaves the body through baby's poop. If your baby isn't feeding well and consequently isn't doing plenty of poops to excrete the bilirubin, jaundice will take longer to clear. Check with your heath professionals and see Jaundice in Breastfeeding Babies for further information.

Poor weight gain

Is your baby gaining weight? After the initial weight loss in the first few days of life, your breastfed baby will start to gain 30-40g per day if breastfeeding is going well. See Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk? and Understanding Your Baby's Weight Chart for more information about normal weight gain. If your baby is not gaining much or any weight, don't wait, get good breastfeeding help as soon as possible to get back on track. There is no advantage to waiting around hoping weight gain might get better on its own. For more reading see:

Engorgement

Are your breasts very full and swollen? A little engorgement when your milk comes in on the second or third day is to be expected but if breastfeeding is going well this engorgement will normally resolve quite quickly. Prolonged or unexpected engorgement could reduce your milk supply, see Engorged Breasts for information on relieving engorgement.

#10 Know who to call

Just one piece of bad advice can sabotage a breastfeeding relationship so it is important to know who is helping you and whether you can trust what they say. The training your helper may have had and hence the quality of breastfeeding help they might give can vary a great deal. Your doctor, health visitor or midwife may have had very little training. They may not know the answers to basic breastfeeding management questions.

Breastfeeding peer supporters may have only had 12 hours of training in basic breastfeeding management. They may not have breastfed their own babies.

Breastfeeding counsellors with one of the breastfeeding charities such as La Leche League, Association of Breastfeeding Mothers or National Childbirth Trust will usually have had 12 months training and will have personal experience breastfeeding.

IBCLC lactation consultants have the highest skilled professional qualification in breastfeeding. They have demonstrated at least 1000 contact hours helping mothers with breastfeeding, at least 90 hours intensive lactation study and passed a rigorous international exam. They have to stay up-to-date by recertifying every five years and taking an exam every ten years. See Why Hire an IBCLC?

Summary

There are several ways to help breastfeeding get off to a good start. Knowing how breastfeeding works and what to expect, understanding the role of skin-to-skin, and avoiding the early use of artificial teats can all be helpful for successful breastfeeding. At the first sign of any problems, it is important to find the right skilled help to get breastfeeding back on track. Sore nipples, lack of poop, jaundice and poor weight gain are all potential red flags that breastfeeding may not be going as well as it could be. An IBCLC lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist can help to get breastfeeding running smoothly.

Footnotes & References

1. Marasco and West, Making More Milk: The Breastfeeding Guide to Increasing Your Milk Production, Second Edition, 2020

2. Mohrbacher, Breastfeeding Answers Made Simple, 2010, p237

3. Mohrbacher and Kendall-Tackett, Breastfeeding Made Simple, 2010, p 80

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For many mothers breastfeeding is easy-baby is born, attaches to the breast on his own, milk flows and baby grows. However it is not so straightforward for some mothers. Problems can include baby not wanting to breastfeed, low milk supply, painful breastfeeding and more.

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Learn more about Starting Well support across Chester and Cheshire West 

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Learn more about Starting Well support across Chester and Cheshire West 

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This lovely website will help you to think about birth and what your options are.

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Skin to skin contact - meeting your baby

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Skin to skin contact - meeting your baby

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https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/implementing-standards-resources/skin-to-skin-contact/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwmICoBhDxARIsABXkXlKPf5hMAQoAOAx2L34gO0iNZw-0ENSJB2xj2VBI8yjFIOprVUQHmWoaAp2WEALw_wcB

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Skin-to-skin contact - Baby Friendly Initiative

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Skin-to-skin contact is important for babies and mothers to develop close, loving parent-infant relationships and to initiate breastfeeding.

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Joining a local breastfeeding group can be a great way of building your confidence feeding baby whilst out and about and discussing local breastfeeding-friendly venues. Details of local groups can be found here https://koalanw.co.uk/breastfeeding-support-groups

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Many mums wonder how others might respond to them breastfeeding in public. So it's good to know that public opinion is behind you - a survey said 72% of people support breastfeeding in public (gov.uk, 2015).

And you do of course have the right to breastfeed in public. NCT spent many years campaigning to bring about the specific protection of breastfeeding in public (NCT, 2011). Specific laws now protect breastfeeding in public in England, Wales and Scotland, and other laws protect it in Northern Ireland.

But breastfeeding in public isn't just accepted and protected, it can have a bunch of benefits. Here's how and why you could make breastfeeding in public work for you...

Why breastfeed in public?

Breastfeeding is a convenient way of feeding your baby when you're out and about as you don't need any extra equipment. In fact, with a little practice it can become virtually effortless. You'll have the great tool at your disposal of being able to feed your baby anywhere and to calm them when they're fretful at any time.

"I found breastfeeding useful when we were out for the day as the only 'kit' that was needed was me! But especially so if my baby became overstimulated with the sounds and lights of busy shops - if she started getting restless or agitated, holding her close for a feed would help to calm her down."

How do I start breastfeeding in public?

In the early days, before going out with your baby, it can help to gain confidence with different breastfeeding positions and making sure your baby's achieving an effective latch. That way you'll feel more comfortable feeding in front of others. Some mums find it useful to practice in advance - either in front of the mirror or in front of someone else, such as their partner, a close family member or a friend.

If you want to keep covered up, having easily accessible clothing can help with that. You could try wearing a loose vest underneath a t-shirt - so one layer goes down and the other goes up. You could also try wearing a loose cardigan or a scarf.

"I would wear stretchy vest tops underneath so that I kept warm still while feeding. Plus, I was more concerned about flashing my mummy tummy than anything else!"

It's possible to feed in a sling or carrier too. A sling or carrier has the added advantage of keeping your baby close and the oxytocin flowing, which aids milk production (Knowles, 2019).

How do I get more confident about breastfeeding in public?

Some new mums worry about feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable breastfeeding in front of others (Public Health England, 2017). So it can be really helpful to look for support around you and check what groups your local NCT branch run.

You could also ask your midwife, health visitor, breastfeeding counsellor or lactation consultant about local drop-in groups. At these groups, you're likely to meet other breastfeeding mums and this will help you gather some tips, ideas and general support.

Attending a local Baby Café or other breastfeeding drop-in provides an environment where you're likely to be around other parents at a similar stage of parenting and feeding. This peer support and having the support of a qualified practitioner might increase your confidence in many areas of breastfeeding, not just feeding in public (Fox et al, 2015).

It can be handy to have someone with you that first time you head out with your baby. It's also good to look ahead for information about breastfeeding friendly places to go. You can find breastfeeding friendly places on social media, websites, and local/national initiatives where breastfeeding friendly businesses can register.

Is breastfeeding in public difficult?

It's not difficult but there can be challenges. One challenge of breastfeeding in public is dealing with breastmilk leaks. Most mums find that breastpads provide sufficient protection from leaks should you experience them.

If you're out and can feel a let down of milk but you're unable to feed your baby, then applying compression to your nipples for a few seconds might help stop the leaking. You can do this by folding your arms over and using the palms of your hand to press down firmly on your nipples (La Leche League GB, 2016).

When your baby is older, feeding in public may seem more challenging as your child is mobile and vocal. So it's good to read their body language and be ready to move if they do and if you want to keep covered up. You could also consider having some snacks or toys to offer as a distraction until you are somewhere more comfortable to breastfeed (kellymom, 2018).

What exactly are my rights about breastfeeding in public?

A mum has a right to breastfeed her child across the UK, but the area of the UK you live in will govern which legislation covers this right:

England and Wales - the Equality Act 2010 (British Chambers of Commerce, 2010) states that 'a business cannot discriminate against mums who are breastfeeding a child of any age.' This means that anybody providing a service, and their employees, cannot ask a mum to stop breastfeeding or to leave their premises.

Scotland - the Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 states that 'it is an offence deliberately to prevent or stop a person in charge of a child from feeding milk to that child in a public place or on licensed premises.' (The age of the child is determined as up to the age of two years and feeding is determined as breast or bottle feeding.) This means that any person feeding a child milk cannot be asked to stop or leave the area or premises.

Northern Ireland - there is no specific legislation currently in Northern Ireland covering rights to breastfeed. But there is some protection within the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 for women who have been treated unfavourably while pregnant and for the duration of their maternity leave. In January 2017 a potential Breastfeeding Bill was announced but progress on passing this Bill was on hold at the time of writing (Department of Health, 2018).

Are there any circumstances where I can't breastfeed in public?

Across the UK, there are two main categories where it is not unlawful to prevent a mum from breastfeeding:

1. If there is a valid health and safety reason to do so. For example, the mum and/or child may be at harm if they do not leave.

2. If there is a justified reason for a single sex service where women would not ordinarily be permitted.

(Maternity Action, 2019)

If you have reason to complain about how you were treated while feeding your child, the first course of action would be to complain to the business/organisation where the mistreatment occurred, where possible (Maternity Action, 2019). Ask them for their complaints procedure, which will explain how to lodge your complaint. If you're not satisfied with the outcome, you could make a claim in a county court in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or in a Sheriff court in Scotland.
This page was last reviewed in August 2019.
Further information

NCT supports all parents, however they feed their baby. If you have questions, concerns or need support, you can speak to a breastfeeding counsellor by calling our helpline on 0300 330 0700, whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or using formula milk. Breastfeeding counsellors have had extensive training, will listen without judging or criticising and will offer relevant information and suggestions. You can also find more useful articles here.

Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005. Available at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2005/1 (Accessed 25th August 2019)

British Chambers of Commerce. (2010) Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know? Quick-start guide for businesses who sell goods and services. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/85008/business-quickstart.pdf (Accessed: 25th August 2019)

Department of Health (NI). (2018) Breastfeeding - a great start. A strategy for NI 2013-2023 Mid-term review. Available at: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/draft-mid-term-review-breastfeeding-strategy.pdf (Accessed 25th August 2019)

Fox R, McMullen S, Newburn M. (2015) 'UK women's experiences of breastfeeding and additional breastfeeding support: a qualitative study of Baby Café services', BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 15: 147. doi: 10.1186/s12884-015-0581-5

Gov.uk (2015) New mothers are anxious about breastfeeding in public. Available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-mothers-are-anxious-about-breastfeeding-in-public (Accessed 9th December 2019)

Kellymom. (2018) Breastfeeding in public. Available at: https://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/legal/bfip/ (Accessed 26th August 2019)

Knowles R. (2019) Breast and bottle feeding safely in a sling. Available at: https://www.carryingmatters.co.uk/breast-and-bottle-feeding-safely-in-a-sling/ (Accessed 29th August 2019)

La Leche League GB. (2016) Out and about with your breastfed baby. Available at: https://www.laleche.org.uk/out-about-with-your-breastfed-baby/ (Accessed 26th August 2019)

Maternity Action. (2019) Breastfeeding while out and about. Available at: https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/breastfeeding-in-public-places/ (Accessed 25th August 2019)

NCT. (2011) Historic month for NCT as women win right to breastfeed in public. Available at: https://www.nct.org.uk/about-us/news-and-views/news/historic-month-for-nct-women-win-right-breastfeed-public (Accessed 11th December 2019)

NHS. (2017) Breastfeeding in Public. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/breastfeeding-in-public/ (Accessed 25th August 2019)

Sex Discrimation (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, c. 5A. Available at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1976/1042/article/5A (Accessed 25th August 2019)

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How to breastfeed in public | Baby & toddler, Feeding articles & support | NCT

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You're not alone if you have questions about breastfeeding in public. Here we explain how to do it comfortably and confidently and what your rights are.

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Description

Toddler Group for dads/male carers and their children.

Tea, coffee and great food.

Cost £2.50

Age range open but aimed at 0-5 years

Source: https://hbc.org.uk/

Service Details

Locations:

Hoole Lighthouse Centre, Westminster Road, Chester, CH2 3AU (directions displayed on map)

Organisation:

Who Let the Dads Out?

Service Type:

Parenting

Website:

https://hbc.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/children-youth-and-family/soda-club/

Age

Actual Ages:

Age range open but aimed at 0-5 years

Age Band:

Before birth-2 years

Early Years 2 - 5 years

Cost Information

Costs:

£2.50

Is the service or activity free?:

Small donation towards costs

Gallery

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Toddler Group for dads/male carers and their children. Tea, coffee and great food. Cost £2.50 Age range open but aimed at 0-5 years Source: https://hbc.org.uk/ Locations: Hoole Lighthouse Centre, Westminster Road, Chester, CH2 3AU (directions displayed on map) Organisation: Who Let the Dads Out?

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How baby attached to the breast for an effective feed

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Apr 5, 2023 · ... latch your baby to your breast for comfortable breastfeeding ... Best Beginnings - creators ...
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babt latching best beginnings - Google Search

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Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds. Apr 5, 2023 · ... latch your baby to your breast for comfortable breastfeeding ... Best Beginnings - creators ...Duration: 2:51 Posted: Apr 5, 2023 Apr 5, 2023 · Comments13 ; How to help your baby latch.

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Local breastfeeding peer support is provided across Cheshire West and Wirral by Koala North West. Details of all breastfeeding groups are here https://koalanw.co.uk/breastfeeding-support-groups

You don't have to be experiencing difficulties to attend a breastfeeding group.

You can also register for support here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdU4NIIRJctILXpLXk0KQLVq0WCeZGrF1yi1uUfjLckFBEM5g/viewform

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Your Starting Well 0-19 team are here to support you and your family with a range of services. If you feel like you may needs some more support you can speak to your health visitor, call your local children's centre and ask to speak to a health visitor or access the Chat Health Service

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In this section you will find information to support you and your families mental health.

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In this video, we look at the importance of developing close and loving relationships with babies in their early days and weeks.

Responding to babies' needs for comfort and food is hugely beneficial for brain development and makes for more confident toddlers. Parents should be supported in breastfeeding responsively and keeping their babies close to help them become happy, healthy and secure children and adults.

For more information:

Find more relationship building resources

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The Importance of relationship building video - Baby Friendly Initiative

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This video looks at the importance of developing close, loving relationships with babies in their early days and weeks.

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Welcome

Run by local parents, we offer support, information and friendship to new parents and parents-to-be in the mid Cheshire area.

We provide services such as antenatal classes, breastfeeding counsellors, etc, but also as a rural branch we have a number of local groups. These groups organise a wide range of supportive and social events including: Mums to be Evenings, Coffee Mornings/Afternoons, Evenings Out, Bumps and Babies sessions and craft sessions. We have groups in Tarporley, Northwich, Winsford, Knutsford, Middlewich, Holmes Chapel, Frodsham/Helsby and Goostrey.
Our NNS (nearly new sales) are on Hold at the moment - however do watch our FB and Web page for updates.
Branch coordinators

Contact details

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Mid Cheshire | Local activities & meet-ups | NCT

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Welcome Run by local parents, we offer support, information and friendship to new parents and parents-to-be in the mid Cheshire area. We provide services such as antenatal classes, breastfeeding counsellors, etc, but also as a rural branch we have a number of local groups.

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As well as being a practical way of getting out and about, slings or carriers to help you build a close and loving bond with your baby. It is important to follow safety guidance when using a sling or carrier.

Local sling libraries and sling consultants can provide information and support for wearing slings and carriers safely and comfortably as well as finding a sling which is right for you. There are several based across Chester and Cheshire West including:

https://www.chesterslinglibrary.co.uk/

https://www.doulad.co.uk/babycarrying-support/

https://slingsandsupportwirral.org.uk/

From time to time local consultants may have info sessions at local breastfeeding groups.

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The positive effects of babywearing for baby are many; here are a few.

Regular close skin contact is believed to help babies regulate their circadian rhythms better and distinguish the difference between night and day sleep.

It reduces crying, both frequency and duration, (Hunziker and Barr 1986) and can improve sleep. It is safe for your baby to sleep in the sling, if the airway is well protected. Less crying means more time to be in "quiet absorption', promoting learning and positive interactions with the world. The Esposito study discusses some of the mechanisms behind movement and how carrying is calming for babies.

Babies with colic can be hard to soothe, but the motion gained from being gently rocked in a sling while the parent/carer walks may help to settle them, and also the parent/carer may feel less helpless. There is no evidence to suggest that babywearing actually reduces colic itself.

The motion experienced by a baby being held by the carer allows the vestibular balance apparatus to develop more rapidly and enhances neuromotor development and muscle strength. It improves neck and head control, but is not a true substitute for "tummy-time" (tummy-time head-lifting is against gravity from a prone position). This is more marked with dynamic in-arms carrying (where this is possible). A sling or carrier should never be used as a prolonged restraint (unless danger is present such as crossing the road).

Babies can learn very easily from a place of consistent safety, as their brains are not engaged with mere survival.

Good, correctly designed slings that encourage the physiological spread-squat "M shape" position (that mimics hip-perching) can help prevent hip problems later in life in those children at risk of hip dysplasia. There is currently no convincing evidence that narrower based carriers cause hip dysplasia in otherwise healthy hips.

Babies who are carried are less at risk of plagiocephaly (the flattening of the skull bones at the back of the head from prolonged periods lying on the back, more common since the "Back to Sleep" campaign). Slings are recommended as one solution (by the NHS, too!)

Further reading

"Why Babywearing Matters", Rosie Knowles, 2016

To have and to hold: Effects of physical contact on infants and their caregivers, Infant Behavior and Development, Volume 61, November 2020

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Positive Effects of Carrying for Baby - Carrying Matters

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Regular close skin contact is believed to help babies regulate their circadian rhythms better and distinguish the difference between night and day sleep. It reduces crying, both frequency and duration, (Hunziker and Barr 1986) and can improve sleep. It is safe for your baby to sleep in the sling, if the airway is well protected.

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Just like our physical health, our mental health too needs attention, care and upkeep. There are times in our lives such as pregnancy, birth and motherhood where this attention slips from ourselves to what we need to do as mothers. Despite all my lifestyle changes, theoretical understanding on the mental health issues I was not immune. None of us are.

In the Autumn of 2017 I was invited to a meeting at The House of Commons to share my experiences as a new mum who suffered from antenatal and postnatal mental health issues. However, I wondered if it would be more powerful to take a few stories with me rather than just my own personal experience. So, I put out a quick survey on our small community of MummyYoga attendees to garner some points of view on the scale of the problem. What I had not anticipated was the avalanche of responses within hours and within 3 days we had over 300 responses to our survey. Some stories so heart wrenching that it was impossible now for me to sit back and do nothing.

Almost 80% of you who participated in our survey said they could benefit from Mental Health Support!

...This was the beginning of #MMhM Project.

One of the main initiatives of the project is our Hyper Local Wellness Walks.

Started with just one small Chapter in 2017 at Kingsway by a local MummyYoga attendee Amy Fox.
Since September we now have over 10 HyperLocal Chapters!
The walks relaunched in September 2020 in Kingsway and Upton and have since been supercharged by Nicola Haigh who has coordinated the walks on a voluntary basis whilst on maternity leave from her job at StoryHouse.

In addition to Upton and Kingsway, the walks are now also happening in Ellesmere Port, Handbridge and the Garden Quarter by a team of amazing volunteers who are all also on maternity leave. Three more walks also known as chapters have launched in Hoole, Tarvin and Huntington/Saighton, Blacon and we are continuing to add more chapters as more of you step forward to lead them.

These walks are completely free to attend and are run by volunteers.

New mum and walk attendee Charlie says, "I love chatting to the other mums only to find out that we are all going through the same things. It is especially important during Covid as its one of the only opportunities I have had to connect with other new mums"

These walks are designed to be in every small neighbourhood so that parents who don't or can't drive or get on the bus can access them. They also help in creating deep friendships who live near each other. Our hope is that after this whole virus situation is behind us, we can still enjoy the friendships that these hard times facilitated.

If you would like to come along to one of the walks then please find your nearest Hyper Local Chapter and book your space here -

If you would like to become our walk leader in your neighbourhood, please do get in touch. We provide all the support and training needed to make your local chapter a fulfilling volunteering experience.

Get in touch: MMhM@MummyYoga.com

Book your space: https://bookwhen.com/postnatal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mothers_mentalhealth_matters/

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/161589691376109

Support Our work by making a purchase - 100% of the profits go towards our work on this project.

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Just like our physical health, our mental health too needs attention, care and upkeep. There are times in our lives such as pregnancy, birth and motherhood where this attention slips from ourselves to what we need to do as mothers. Despite all my lifestyle changes, theoretical understanding on the m

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It is possible to safely carry more than one baby or child. Here is some more information, you can also speak to your local babywearing consultant for further guidance.

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Tandem Babywearing, or Carrying Multiples - Carrying Matters

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- supporting children, carers and society to be more connected through close contact.

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OUR SERVICES Motherwell services support young girls aged 14 to 18 and women, who live across Winsford, Crewe and surrounding areas in Cheshire. We currently accept referrals for counselling through our Inspire programme for girls from year 9 (age 13/14) to age 18 who attend the following schools/colleges:Winsford Academy, Winsford;Shavington Academy, Crewe;Sir William Stanier,...

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Before babies are able to understand language, we often communicate and comfort them through touch. If a baby cries, for example, parents will hold, cuddle or stroke them. Baby massage is part of this natural impulse.

Find out about the benefits of baby massage for you and your baby in this video.

What is baby massage?

Baby massage is the gentle, rhythmic stroking of your baby's body using your hands. As part of a massage routine, you might gently manipulate your baby's ankles, wrists and fingers.

"You might also talk softly, hum or sing to them while massaging to create a sense of calm and reassurance for your baby".

What are the benefits of baby massage?

Baby massage was introduced about 30 years ago in neonatal wards to support the development of premature babies in intensive care units. A study in 2004 found that babies in intensive care units who were massaged spent less time in hospital, had slightly better scores on developmental tests and slightly fewer postnatal complications.

Today, there is widespread belief that baby massage can increase a mum's awareness of her baby's needs and support their early bond, as well as improve her sense of well-being if she is suffering with postnatal depression or other mental health issues. The evidence is inconclusive on these points but parents do say they find baby massage a lovely way of bonding with their baby.

Many talk about the following benefits:

Becoming more confident in handling their child and better at recognising their needs.

Improved positive interaction with their baby.

A great way for partners, family members and carers to bond with baby.

Improved sleep for their baby.

When can I start baby massage?

There are no set guidelines regarding the minimum age for when to start baby massage. Although nurturing touch can be given from birth, some babies may find formal, structured massage too stimulating in the very early weeks.

When it comes to baby massage classes, some babies may find a formal class overwhelming in the early weeks. It can also be hard for parents to make it to a class on time or consistently with a newborn. As a result, many parents prefer to wait until their baby is about six weeks old when their routine is more settled and their behaviour is sometimes more predictable.

"It can also be helpful to start baby massage after your baby's six week check so any issues with development, such as hip dysplasia, might be identified".

Getting ready to massage your baby

Here are some tips to help you try baby massage at home:

Choose a time when your baby is content and alert, not tired or hungry, and interested in what's going on around them. This makes it more likely that they'll be ready to interact with you.

Try sitting on the floor, bed or sofa, with your baby safely on a towel in front of you.

Find a position that's comfortable, gives you good eye contact with no overhead lights and where your baby is warm.

It's up to you whether your child is nappy-free, but it can help to at least loosen their nappy when massaging the tummy.

It can be a nice idea to introduce a massage after bath and before bed as part of a bedtime wind-down.

How to give your baby a massage

Before beginning 'ask permission' by rubbing a little oil between your hands near your baby's ears, and ask 'can I give you a massage?' This may sound a little strange but your child will become familiar with this cue and know that massage is about to start. It also gives your baby a chance to let you know if they don't feel like a massage.

It's great to massage the whole of your child's body using a range of techniques. To get you started, we describe some strokes below for the legs and feet.

Once you have 'asked permission', gently hold one of your baby's legs between your palms.

Then, with one hand, hold your baby's ankle securely. Mould your other hand around the top of your child's thigh, then slide it down the leg towards the ankle.

Swap hands and repeat. Always keep your child's ankle supported and use slow, flowing strokes.

Next, cradle your child's foot in your hands and use your thumbs to stroke over the sole of the foot from heel to toes, one thumb after another. Hold your fingers in a tripod grip and gently tug each toe between thumb and finger.

Holding your child's foot in your hands, walk the thumbs across the middle third of the foot from one side to the other like a little caterpillar crawling on a leaf.

You could also do circles on the palms of their hands singing 'Round and round the garden like a teddy bear'. Continue with finger and thumb tugs.

Finish by repeating the stroking action in the opposite direction, i.e. from ankle to thigh.

You can repeat each stroke a few times, always responding to what your child seems to enjoy.

What oils/products should I use for baby massage?

While using oil can make massage easier for parents and more relaxing for their baby, there is limited evidence on what oil is best to use for baby massage.

Most research into the use of oils on a baby's skin has not focussed on their use for baby massage but for skincare issues, such as dry skin or eczema. This is important to note because there may be a difference in the effect of using oils in baby massage once a week compared to every day for skincare reasons or for more frequent massage.

The NHS also recommends parents do not use any oils or lotions until their baby is one month old. This is because at birth, the top layer of a baby's skin is very thin and easily damaged. Over the first month (or longer in premature babies), a baby's skin matures and develops its own natural protective barrier.

Here is a list of oils and what is know about them:

Cold-pressed oil - while there is a lack of evidence on its benefits, some parents prefer to use a cold pressed oil, which is manufactured differently to cooking oils and has fewer impurities.

Mineral oils or petroleum-based ointments are an option if your baby has dry or broken skin, as they have been found to be effective and safe for treating skin problems, such as dermatitis and eczema.

Mustard oil can have a toxic effect on the skin barrier, causing irritation and potential damage to delicate baby skin.

Olive oil is not recommended for baby massage because of its high oleic acid content. This can make some layers of a baby's skin dryer.

Other oils, such as grapeseed oil or coconut oil - these have not been effectively tested in research trials so there isn't much information about their effectiveness or risks.

Peanut oil contains proteins that may sensitise a baby to an allergic reaction to peanuts or cause a reaction on a baby's skin.

Sunflower oil is often recommended for baby massage but recent research has suggested it might have adverse effects on a baby's later skin barrier function. This was only a small trial though and more research is needed to establish the exact risk.

Vegetable oils high in polyunsaturated fats may be gentler on your baby's skin.

Safety tips for baby massage

Here are some tips to help you massage your baby safely:

* Make sure you use oil that is safe for your baby's skin and if it was to get into their mouth (see list above).
* When massaging your child's arms or legs, always support the ankle or wrist with one hand.
* When massaging your child's tummy with a circular motion, go clockwise rather than anti-clockwise.
* If your child becomes upset or falls asleep, stop massaging.

Enjoy baby massage

If your baby doesn't seem to enjoy massage right away, don't worry. It's a new experience for you both and it can take a bit of getting used to. Try a few minutes the first time and build up as your child gets more used to it.

Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

Why not try one of our NCT Mother and Baby Yoga courses or baby massage classes?

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Before babies are able to understand language, we often communicate and comfort them through touch. If a baby cries, for example, parents will hold, cuddle or stroke them. Baby massage is part of this natural impulse. Find out about the benefits of baby massage for you and your baby in this video.

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There are lots of activities to get involved in with babies and young children. These timetables explain what is going on at Children's Centres across Chester and Cheshire West.

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Our Incredible Years Parenting Programme uses coaching based theory to facilitate parents to learn from each other's experiences and realise they are not alone with any possible parenting frustrations and ordifficulties.

The research-based parenting programme focuses on the behaviour's children display and empowers parents to feel better prepared to
understand, cope and manage both current behaviours and those that may arise in the future.

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Our Incredible Years Parenting Programme uses coaching based theory to facilitate parents to learn from each other's experiences and realise they are not alone with any possible parenting frustrations and ordifficulties. The research-based parenting programme focuses on the behaviour's children display and empowers parents to feel better prepared to understand, cope and manage both current behaviours and those that may arise in the future.

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Most local libraries have free weekly events for families with babies and young children. It is never too early to introduce books and singing.

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Information on libraries in west Cheshire.

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Free inter-generational group, Ellesmere Port

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Free inter-generational group, Ellesmere Port

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Full Circle Our intergenerational group is for socially isolated parents, grandparents, carers and the older members of our community, bringing three generations together. Who is it for? Full circle is for parents, grandparents and carers of children 0-24 months, along with the older members of our community.

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What's going on in Neston for new families 

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What's going on in Neston for new families 

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Places to go and things to do from classes and groups to Neston Flicks and Community Events, find out what's on, here...

About Us

Neston Community Youth Centre (NCYC) is a Community Anchor Organisation registered as a Charity and Limited Company.

Contact Us

Visit Us:
Neston Community Youth Centre,
Burton Road
Neston, CH64 9RE

Opening Hours:

Monday - Friday: 9am - 4:30pm​

Saturday / Sunday: Varies

Help and support is available from our staff and partners, get the help you need here...

We have space to hire for classes, groups, conferences and functions at Neston Community Youth Centre and soon Neston Civic Hall

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Neston Community Centre | Neston Community Youth Centre | Little Neston

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Homepage of Neston Community Youth Centre a Community Anchor Organisation providing services and support for all ages

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LATEST NEWS AND RESOURCES

Unaffordable infant formula price rises

Recommendations for the UK Government

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CODE

UNICEF UK's Baby Friendly Initiative has made a real difference in giving our staff the skills and confidence to change the conversation about breastfeeding and early relationship building with parents... Together we can ensure that every single mother and baby receives the very best possible care, at a point in their lives where the information and support we provide will have a profound effect on their future health and development.

Ellie Elkins, Infant Feeding Lead for West Sussex, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

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The Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative supports breastfeeding and parent infant relationships by working with public services to improve standards of care.

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A online information library of services, activities and events on Wirral

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Wirral's number one resource for families in Wirral, Family Toolbox provides practical advice, links and contacts to support parents.

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Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds.

Sep 29, 2011 · The basic architecture of the brain is constructed through a process that begins early in life ...
Duration: 1:57
Posted: Sep 29, 2011

Oct 16, 2014 · ... brains are built. Healthy, positive interactions between children and caregivers create sturdy ...
Duration: 2:36
Posted: Oct 16, 2014

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build brain architecture - Google Search

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Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds. Sep 29, 2011 · The basic architecture of the brain is constructed through a process that begins early in life ...Duration: 1:57 Posted: Sep 29, 2011 Oct 16, 2014 · ... brains are built.

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Koala Breastfeeding groups run weekly, most including throughout the holidays and are a great place to meet other parents, although you don't need to be having difficulties to attend the session, there are trained volunteers on hand to offer support if you need it.

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My Child Can Children's Centres and Family Hubs on Wirral 

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My Child Can Children's Centres and Family Hubs on Wirral 

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Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

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GTKYB Video - bonding before birth, imagining the baby

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Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds.

Feb 24, 2023 · Effective feeding vs ineffective feeding at the breast. The first video shows a 2 day old full term baby feeding effectively.

The baby pauses only to take a breath with every few sucks. Baby nursing at breast showing anatomy: lobule, duct, nipple, areola, and. Listen for swallowing.

Supporting their neck, shoulders and back should allow them to tilt their head back and swallow easily. Always bring your baby to the breast and let them latch ...

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effective swallows breastfeeding youtube - Google Search

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Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds. Feb 24, 2023 · Effective feeding vs ineffective feeding at the breast. The first video shows a 2 day old full term baby feeding effectively. The baby pauses only to take a breath with every few sucks.

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What do I need in my hospital/delivery bag?????

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What do I need in my hospital/delivery bag?????

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Find out what to pack in your bag ready for labour and birth, including essentials for you and the baby, plus suggestions for your birth partner, if you have one.

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Koala North West exists to provide children and their families with tailored practical and emotional support that improves well-being, reduces isolation and ...

Jun 29, 2022 · Did you know Koala NW has a Youtube channel with lots of free tips and videos, Follow the link to see our video on Position and Attachment ...

Spanning across Wirral, Cheshire and Merseyside, covering everything from neonatal care to family well-being and early learning. Families are our focus.

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Koala north West youtube - Google Search

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Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds. Koala North West exists to provide children and their families with tailored practical and emotional support that improves well-being, reduces isolation and ...

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Helpful videos about pregnancy and labour 

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Helpful videos about pregnancy and labour 

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Using BRAIN to help you make decisions during pregnancy, birth and beyond 

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Using BRAIN to help you make decisions during pregnancy, birth and beyond 

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The lives we live are beautiful, challenging, and uncertain; we're all just doing the best we can with what we have. Having a baby is no different. When you give birth, you cannot control how fast contractions come, what your blood pressure does, or what your baby's heart rate looks like. However, you do have choices about how to deal with the unknown.

You may not know your choices or what questions to ask right away. That's okay! We have some handy tools to help you talk through concerns with your birthing team . When families are empowered to be in charge of the decision-making process during the labor and birth of their babies, they are much more likely to walk away satisfied with the experience.

Why is decision-making so important?

Before your baby comes, you'll have made many decisions to ensure a joyful birth. You'll have chosen your care provider , maybe , and taken some form of childbirth education. Even with all of the preparation in the world, you still won't know what your birth will look like. Each hour, each breath, and each contraction may bring new information that you have to consider moving forward. Sometimes the choice is obvious. Other times, there are many good options available to you.

It's important to remember that every choice has a benefit and also carries some kind of risk. Being able to decide for yourself when the benefits outweigh the risks is one of the most powerful ways to prevent a negative birth experience.

"[Birthing people] attribute their traumatic childbirth experience primarily to lack and/or loss of control, issues of communication, and practical/emotional support. They believe that in many cases, their trauma could have been reduced or prevented by better communication and support by their caregiver or if they themselves had asked for or refused interventions."

You've likely heard stories of people who have had beautiful, empowering cesareans or amazing home births that didn't go as planned. How you end up giving birth does not matter nearly as much as how you're treated during the process. It is much more likely that you will walk away from your birthing experience feeling safe and ready for parenting if your birth process was an experience you felt a part of, rather than an uncontrollable event that happened to you.

It is much more likely that you will walk away from your birthing experience feeling safe and ready for parenting if your birth process was an experience you felt a part of, rather than an uncontrollable event that happened to you.

Controlling the uncontrollable

So, how do you navigate the unknown? Being prepared, inviting supportive people around you, and asking questions are great ways to navigate the unknown and be prepared for changes when they happen.

When a new choice is offered to you, some good questions to ask are:

If that seems like a lot, just remember B.R.A.I.N!

When faced with a decision during labor, like if it's time to go to the hospital or if you want an epidural, most options will have a benefit, or a plus side. When making suggestions, your provider will have a good idea of what the benefits are for most people and the statistics that support outcomes.

However, even though your medical team has a lot of knowledge about birth, you are the only expert in you. Emotional and physical concerns like "Will going to the hospital reduce my anxiety?" or "I always feel better when I can walk around" are just as important as medical statistics. Check in with your core values and talk your feelings out with your when you have concerns about recommendations from your provider, family, or friends.

Some good questions to ask your care provider are:

What are the benefits of this decision?

Does current research support these benefits?

Just like all choices have benefits, all choices also have risks, or a negative side. It's important to know about the risks in order to make an informed decision.

A big part of assessing the risks of a decision is knowing the difference between absolute risk, relative risk, and actual numbers.

When you are offered a choice like , you may hear something like " risk of stillbirth doubles after 41 weeks. " That is an example of relative risk. "Risks double" may sound really scary, but if you ask about what that means in terms of numbers, you may learn that the chance of serious complications before 41 weeks is 1%, or 1 in 100 and after 41 weeks is 2% or 2 in 100. The risk technically doubled, but 2% is still low, so that should factor into your decision while weighing your options. With a 2% risk, that also means that 98 out of 100 births did not have serious complications. Talking about actual, absolute numbers will make it easier to understand the big picture.

Some good questions to ask your care provider are:

What are the actual, absolute numbers of this risk?

Where can I get additional, evidence-based information about this risk?

Alternatives

Almost every intervention has an alternative. Sometimes birth professionals offer options out of habit or because the evidence supports it, but you may have an idea that is different from what they're used to. Maybe you'd prefer resting with a pillow and blanket in the bathroom instead of the bed, or you and your partner are more comfortable trying nipple stimulation for oxytocin release instead of Pitocin.

Some good questions to ask your care provider are:

What is the goal of the proposed option?

Are there other ways to achieve this goal?

Intuition is probably the most important piece of B.R.A.I.N decision-making. Following your gut is such a powerful way to stay in charge of your birth experience. No matter what the medical evidence says, if your birth includes a procedure that doesn't feel right, you may walk away dissatisfied with how things went.

Except in the event of an extreme emergency, there is usually time to ask more questions and settle any doubts. With more information, you may end up feeling more comfortable or have the chance to work out alternatives. Even if a choice you make doesn't turn out like you expected, there is power in being able to look back and say, "It was the right choice for me at the time."

A good question to ask yourself is:

What's my gut reaction to this option?

Does this decision feel right to me?

Even if a choice you make doesn't turn out like you expected, there is power in being able to look back and say, 'It was the right choice for me at the time.'

Next/Nothing

Lastly, as you're weighing your options, it's helpful to have a good idea of what to expect next. While no one knows exactly how long or challenging a birth will be, it is helpful to try to prepare for what's to come. Knowing what's about to happen will help you gather strength and prepare.

Some good questions for your care provider are:

Will there be time to rest or eat?

How will this feel to my body?

How will this impact my baby?

If you're still uncertain about what to do, you may have the option of waiting or doing nothing. If you are feeling rushed or like your medical team may be worried, asking for an hour can give you a good idea of how serious the situation is.

Some good questions for your care provider are:

What happens if I do nothing?

Can I have more time to make a decision?

Can we wait for one more hour?

No one knows you better than you

Ultimately, this is your birth. Your birthing team has experience and knows a lot about labor, birth, and babies, but statistics do not reflect an individual. How you experience labor and birth matters to your long-term health . It is important for your team to honor your values. Labor and birth may be filled with a lot of new information. When you get lost, just remember to use your B.R.A.I.N. Whether a choice seems big or small, that choice should always be yours.

This article was review by Nadia Crane, CNM.

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A framework for decision-making during labor relieves stress and provides clarity. The B.R.A.I.N method helps you weigh the benefits and risks of each decision.

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Eating well in pregnancy and breastfeeding 

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Eating well in pregnancy and breastfeeding 

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Eating well for families in temp accom_Digital Low Res (1)

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videos, information and evidence about you and your baby

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Breastfeeding shouldn't be painful, but there are lots of misconceptions that pain is normal!

There are lots of reasons that you may be experiencing pain that can be supported and overcome.

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Pain in your nipples or breasts whilst breastfeeding is most often linked to how you are holding your baby and bringing them to your breast (often referred to as positioning and attachment). Before considering any alternative reasons for experiencing pain whilst breastfeeding please use our guide to positioning and attachment to rule this out as a cause of pain. Even if there is another medical basis for the pain, getting positioning and attachment as comfortable as possible will still help.

When you first start breastfeeding, it is common to experience a strong and sometimes uncomfortable sensation for the first few seconds of your baby latching on. However, this should pass quickly, and feeding should become comfortable. If this is not the case, trying some small changes to your positioning and attachment could help make feeding more comfortable for you.

Signs that attachment is not as effective as it could be include:

If the pain is worst at the start of a feed, and continues for more than a few seconds.

If your nipple changes shape after breastfeeding - either lipstick shaped or flattened

If your baby slurps onto nipple rather than attaching with open gape

If your nipple changes colour after the breastfeed - classically a white tip to the nipple, although this may not be visible on all skin tones

If your nipple is damaged, with cracks or bleeding

If the pain is not improved after trying some of the ideas in our guide on positioning and attachment, please seek support from a breastfeeding supporter. They can observe and assess a full feed. You can also find a local support group here or contact the National Breastfeeding Helpline.

If your nipple is damaged, use moist wound healing within the wound (avoid applying cream to whole nipple) to stop a scab forming, which will deepen the wound. You can continue to breastfeed on a damaged nipple as it will still be able to heal, but it is very important to get support with positioning and attachment to prevent further damage occurring.

If a breastfeeding practitioner has helped you adjust your positioning and attachment and you still have pain or nipple damage, your baby may need to be assessed for a tongue tie or other issues that might be making breastfeeding harder.

Other causes of pain in breastfeeding:

Allergy

If your nipples are itchy (which may be triggered by warmth) or changed in colour (which may show as redness on lighter skin tones) but you do not see any change in the shape of your nipples and are not experiencing pain, the problem may be an allergy to something in contact with your nipples, such as nipple cream or breast pads. Try eliminating these to identify the cause. If disposable breast pads are causing irritation, you could try washable ones instead.

The symptoms may be relieved by a non-sedating antihistamine and hydrocortisone 1% cream applied sparingly. See our factsheet on antihistamines for more information on taking these whilst breastfeeding.

Vasospasm

If your nipple turns white at tip after breastfeeds and pain or itchiness, and redness on some skin tones, occurs immediately at end of feed when blood returns, vasospasm could be the cause.

This is due to restricted circulation from compression of the nipple by the baby squashing it between their tongue and the roof of their mouth during a feed. It can be relieved by help with attachment from a specialist breastfeeding practitioner. Vasospasm can occur in one or both breasts. It does not respond to medication which is unnecessary, but can be improved by adjusting positioning and attachment.

Raynaud's Phenomenon

If the pain is worst at the end of or after a feed and your nipples change colour rapidly after breastfeeds from white to purple then red (this might not be visible on all skin tones), you may be experiencing Raynaud's Phenomenon.

If you have a history of circulation problems or migraine and pain is triggered or made worse by cold, Raynaud's Phenomenon is more likely. Pain can be immediately after a feed but may also be delayed or can be triggered by cold even when not feeding.

You may be able to improve your symptoms by avoiding breastfeeding in cold places, covering your nipple as soon as a feed is finished and applying warmth after feeds. If this is not effective, consider asking GP to prescribe nifedipine 10mg three times a day or nifedipine LA 30mg daily. Treatment for two weeks may be sufficient or may be needed long term. You can find more detail in our Raynaud's phenomenon factsheet.

A white spot, bleb or blocked nipple pore.

If pain is worst at the end of or after a feed and you can point to a discrete spot (which may be white, yellow or pale pink) on your nipple as the origin of the pain, this is likely to be due to a white spot, also called a bleb, blocked nipple pore or milk blister. Symptoms may return periodically.

A white spot is thought to be caused by a thin bit of skin growing over a milk duct opening, and milk backing up behind it.

You can continue to feed with a white spot, and feeding may cause it to clear spontaneously. If it does not clear, the skin overgrowth can sometimes be removed by soaking the nipple in warm water and rubbing gently with a clean, moist washcloth. You can also try softening the skin with an oil such as olive oil. If this doesn't work, the skin may require removal by a healthcare professional using a sterile needle. Antibiotic cream may be required if a significant wound results. If you squeeze just behind the blister some toothpaste-like thickened milk may come out through the now opened blister.

Expressing milk

If your nipple is sore or damaged and you are using a breast pump rather than feeding directly, you may need to reduce the strength of the suction on your pump or you may be using a flange that is the wrong size. Speak to your health visitor, midwife or peer supporter to get support with expressing your milk if needed.

Strong let-down

If the pain is strongest at start of feed or just before a feed and there is a sharp intense pain in your breast(s), often described as squeezing pain, this can be due to the let down or milk ejection reflex. Pain can be worse on fuller breast.

If it is associated with leaking milk, you can reduce this by applying firm hand pressure to your breast at the time of leaking.

If your baby also makes a clicking noise during feeds or pulls away choking once the feed has started, the fast flow of milk may mean your baby is struggling to attach well. Further support from a skilled breastfeeding practitioner to improve attachment may be useful.

You may find it helpful to express a small amount of milk just before a feed if your breasts are full, to get past the powerful let-down before starting the feed, or to use a laid-back breastfeeding position, so that the milk flow is less overwhelming for your baby.

Engorgement

If your breasts are painfully hard and full, and feeding or expressing milk relieves this sensation, your breasts may be engorged. This may be worst first thing in the morning, especially if you have not fed frequently through the night. You can avoid engorgement by feeding frequently and responsively, including at night time. Consider offering your baby a feed whenever your breasts start to feel full or uncomfortable. If you are unable to feed at that time, or if your baby refuses a feed, you can express just enough milk to relieve the discomfort. Avoid expressing more milk than necessary, as this could trigger an increase in your milk supply and make the engorgement worse. Allowing your breasts to remain engorged could lead to your breasts becoming inflamed (mastitis), or a reduction in your milk supply, so it is best to avoid this whenever possible.

If you find it hard to latch your baby on when your breasts become very full, you may like to try reverse pressure softening. Reverse pressure softening is a way to soften your areola. It can help make latching and removing milk easier when your areola is very swollen and engorged by temporarily relieving firmness and swelling.

It can be particularly helpful if you have some oedema or swelling due to IV fluids or drugs given during labour and birth, especially if you had a caesarean section. Breast engorgement in the early days can be caused by your milk coming in or by a combination of fluid held in the breast tissue around the milk ducts as well as by milk within the breast.

Reverse pressure softening briefly moves mild or firmer swelling away from under your areola, slightly backward into your breast for a short period of 5-10 minutes. This allows your areola to change shape and makes latching easier as your baby is able to get more of your areola and breast tissue into their mouth.

Reverse pressure softening also causes a 'let-down' reflex, making it easier for your baby to get milk or for you to remove milk by hand expressing or expressing with a breast pump.

Reverse pressure softening should not be used if you have mastitis, plugged ducts or a breast abscess.
How to do reverse pressure softening:
The key is to make your areola very soft right around the base of the nipple. This can make it easier for your baby to get a better latch.

Press gently on the edge of your areola, inward towards your chest wall, counting slowly to 50

Once the areola has softened, you can start to feed your baby or express (by hand or using a breast pump on low to medium pressure)

If you have very swollen breasts, doing reverse pressure softening lying on your back (taking advantage of gravity) will give more relief

Soften your areola right before each feeding (or expressing) until the swelling goes away. This takes two to four days or more

Blocked ducts and Mastitis

If there is a sore, lumpy area on your breast that may also feel hot and can appear red on lighter skin tones, you may have a blocked duct or mastitis. Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast. It may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms. Continue to feed responsively and seek support from a specialist breastfeeding practitioner as soon as possible. Blocked ducts or mastitis may be triggered by feeding infrequently, allowing your breasts to become overfull or other situations that increase pressure on your breast, for example, wearing a bra that is too tight or wearing your baby in a sling for longer than usual. Adjusting the way you hold your baby and bring them to your breast when feeding ( positioning and attachment) may also help.

You can take ibuprofen 400mg as anti-inflammatory if appropriate (i.e. if you have no contra-indications such as asthma or stomach ulcer), and also paracetamol for pain or fever. Antibiotics are not usually required if self-help measures are started quickly, but you should see a doctor if your symptoms persist. You can read our factsheets on pain relief medicines and breastfeeding and our mastitis page for more detailed information.

Abscess

An abscess is a rare complication of mastitis. You might want to consider whether you have an abscess if mastitis has not resolved following frequent, effective feeding and a course of antibiotics and if the skin on your breast looks like orange peel. A milk sample should be taken to ascertain the micro-organism involved in the infection to help decide which antibiotic might be most appropriate. An ultra sound investigation may be required to diagnose an abscess. Drainage of pus by needle aspiration or surgical drainage together with appropriate antibiotic might be offered. Abscess formation is a rare complication of infectious mastitis and may involve MRSA. You may benefit from emotional support from a breastfeeding supporter alongside specialist support from medical staff.

Thrush

Signs of thrush in you

Thrush (Candida albicans) infection can affect your breast while you are breastfeeding. Symptoms of thrush are a sudden start of breast and/or nipple pain in BOTH breasts after some weeks of pain free breastfeeding - pain is severe and can last for an hour after EVERY breastfeed. It should be confirmed by a swab of your nipples.

Thrush should not be diagnosed if:

You have pain in only one breast/nipple (thrush spreads quickly from one breast to the other)

You have never had pain free breastfeeding

If your nipples are shaped oddly after breastfeeds

If your nipple is white at the tip after breastfeeds

If the pain is different at different times of the day

If your baby has a tongue tie which you are waiting to have snipped.

Thrush in the first few weeks of feeding is rare unless the mother had vaginal thrush at delivery or had deep breast thrush at the end of a previous lactation. Less than perfect positioning and attachment with consequent damage are more likely to cause the pain at this stage.

Signs of thrush in your baby

Creamy white patches in your baby's mouth, on the tongue and may be far back or in the cheeks. Patches do not rub off.

Baby's tongue/lips may have a white gloss

It should be confirmed by a swab of the baby's mouth.

If you think you have thrush:

Before treating either you or your baby you should ask the person supporting you with breastfeeding to watch a full breastfeed from the moment the baby goes to the breast to the moment he/she comes away from the breast at the end of the feed. They need to look at your nipples at the end of the feed to look for change in colour and shape

If your baby has a white tongue but you are not experiencing pain, be aware of the risk of thrush but do not treat either of you immediately. Some babies have white tongues in the first few weeks after birth or this may be associated with tongue tie where the milk is not thrown to the back of the mouth.

Diagnosis should be confirmed by nipple swabs cultured for fungal and bacterial infection.

Breastfeeding should be pain free from the point of attachment (the moment the baby goes to the breast) onwards. Pain from thrush begins after a feed. There should be no change in the shape or colour of the nipple after a feed. Even good attachment can often be improved and help to relieve symptoms of pain. Be aware of the other causes of nipple and breast pain described on this page, and exclude them first.

Self-help measures

Thrush can be passed between you and your baby - and also between you, your partner and other children

Anecdotally, some mothers find acidophilus capsules can help to restore bacteria which can keep thrush under control (available from health food stores or chemists)

It is necessary to be very careful with hygiene in order to get rid of thrush completely - be sure to wash your hands well after each nappy change

Use a separate towel for each person in the family

Anecdotally, some mothers find reducing the level of sugar and yeast in their diet helps

If a thrush infection is confirmed, to make sure that you get rid of it, both you and your baby need treatment, prescribed by a doctor. Usually, once treatment begins the pain and other symptoms will begin to improve within 2 or 3 days. It may take longer for full recovery.

If there is no improvement at all after 7 days, consult your breastfeeding helper again as the cause of the pain may not be thrush.

Treatment

Ongoing attention to positioning and attachment is important because even the best latch can slip a little sometimes.

Miconazole cream applied to your nipples after every feed - sparingly and without washing off before the next feed

Miconazole oral gel applied gently to your baby's mouth 4 times a day a small amount at a time

If symptoms persist you may need fluconazole 150-400mg as a loading dose followed by 100-200mg daily for at least ten days. This is rarely necessary if your baby is less than 6 weeks old and could cause vomiting and stomach pains.

For more information, see our detailed factsheet on thrush and our factsheet on miconazole oral gel and the breastfed baby with oral thrush.

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Pain: if breastfeeding hurts - The Breastfeeding Network

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Pain in your nipples or breasts whilst breastfeeding is most often linked to how you are holding your baby and bringing them to your breast (often referred to as positioning and attachment). Before considering any alternative reasons for experiencing pain whilst breastfeeding please use our guide to positioning and attachment to rule this out as [...]

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Free hypnobirthing techniques and information 

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Free hypnobirthing techniques and information 

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Hypnobirthing is all about supporting you to have the best birth experience possible, however your baby comes into the world.

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Hypnobirthing Free Resources Enjoy lots of free resources including audios, fact sheets and lots more. We will also send you the occasional email update

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Healthy start vouchers. Please read

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Healthy Start is an NHS scheme that helps women who are pregnant or have young children and are receiving benefits, buy foods such as milk or fruit.

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Engorgement and blocked ducts and mastitis 

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Engorgement and blocked ducts and mastitis 

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Mastitis (breast inflammation), includes a wide range of symptoms, from a small, tender area (often called a blocked duct), through to severe infection.

If your breasts are inflamed or swollen, it's important to act quickly to relieve discomfort and stop it getting worse. You may also need to deal with any underlying causes.

LLL Leaders are here to help.

What do all these words mean? A quick guide

What are the signs of mastitis?

How can I prevent mastitis in the future?

Mastitis just means 'breast inflammation'. Recent research is changing how mastitis is viewed and treated. It's now understood as a wide spectrum, from a small, tender area - often called a blocked duct - to a severe infection.

Milk blisters/blebs look like tiny white or yellow dots on the tip of the nipple. They can cause no trouble, or they might be very painful (often described as 'stinging' pain). Sometimes they form in one or more 'milk pores', blocking milk from coming out of part of the breast. They are part of the mastitis spectrum of related conditions and the self-treatment measures suggested for mastitis may help. Milk blisters that don't block milk coming out, and don't hurt, can be safely left alone. They eventually disappear.

Engorgement is when the whole breast becomes swollen with extra fluid. It's common 2-5 days after birth, when milk production is increasing very fast. The mastitis self-treatment measures described below are helpful for engorged breasts, too. Treat engorgement promptly to avoid developing mastitis.

A breast abscess is a collection of pus (infection) within the breast. It is usually a complication of mastitis that was not adequately treated. An abscess needs urgent medical treatment: drainage and antibiotics.

One or more areas that are tender (sometimes called a blocked duct).

Your breast might feel warmer, harder, or lumpier than usual.

There may be a patch of skin on your breast that has changed colour (dark skin might look darker than usual, on light skin you might see a red patch).

You might have a fever and feel like you have the flu. Your body may respond to inflammation with an increase in temperature - it doesn't necessarily mean you have an infection. See below, "Do I need medical help?"

Could it be a breast abscess?

Most (though not all) people with an abscess feel very ill. If you have one or more lumps in your breast that don't get smaller as milk is removed, and don't respond to the treatments for mastitis suggested in this article, contact your GP or NHS 111. An abscess needs urgent medical treatment. It's usually possible - and may be preferable - to continue breastfeeding while an abscess is treated, if you want to. LLL Leaders can support you through it.

When breasts are too full of milk, or the breast is injured, your body may react with inflammation - a response to a threat. Blood flow to the area increases, and fluids and immune cells rush in to repair damage and fight off bacteria. As pressure within the breast increases, it feels tender or painful, and it may become difficult for the milk to flow easily.

Common causes of mastitis

Issues with positioning and attachment: Your baby is not removing milk efficiently.

Scheduling or limiting feeds: If breasts aren't relieved as often as they need to be, this can result in mastitis (and decreased milk production). The amount of milk breasts can hold - and how long they can comfortably hold it for - varies hugely between individuals, and changes over time.

Oversupply: Having a lot more milk than you need. Sometimes it's caused by 'overpumping'. Sometimes it just happens - this is more likely with second or subsequent babies. Your baby may get upset, gag, and splutter when your milk releases. They are probably growing very fast. Your breast/s may feel uncomfortably full a lot of the time. If you're struggling with oversupply, LLL Leaders can help.

Suddenly removing less milk than usual: For example, because your baby is ill, sleeping longer, or you are away from your baby.

Weaning: If you reduce the amount you breastfeed faster than your breasts can manage.

Breast injury, e.g. from a too-tight bra, bag or sling strap, breast pump, or seatbelt. Or even sleeping on your stomach.

Bacterial infection in the breast, possibly through an open nipple wound.

Less common causes of mastitis

Previous breast surgery, such as implants

Being under a lot more stress than usual, or extremely exhausted

Being anaemic or having other health conditions that make your immune system work less well

Gut health. Some experts think that imbalances in the 'microbiome' (the bacteria that live in your body) may make some people more likely to get mastitis. The breast has its own microbiome which is affected by many factors, including your diet, antibiotic use, and whether your baby feeds direct at the breast. It's a developing field of research.

Factors that may make mastitis more likely:

Causes of engorgement

your baby is unwell and feeding less than usual, or less than your breasts need

your baby starts sleeping for a longer stretch at night

you are away from your baby and don't express as often as your breasts need.

In the first few days after birth, you may have more engorgement if you were given extra fluids during labour and birth. But engorgement can happen at any stage of breastfeeding if there's more milk than your breast/s can comfortably hold. For example, if:

Take standard doses of an over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen, if you can usually take it. Paracetamol may also be helpful if you're in pain, but ibuprofen is more useful for mastitis, because it also reduces inflammation. Both are safe to take while breastfeeding.

Experiment with cold or cool compresses on the affected area/s between feeds, to see what helps you feel most comfortable. Some cultures and communities advise new mothers to avoid cold in the early week after birth, and to use heat instead - if this is the case for you, see "things to avoid", below.

Remove milk as often as you need to, to keep the breast as comfortable as you can. Feed your baby whenever they want to be fed or continue expressing whenever you would usually express. Offer a feed or express some milk if your breast feels very full and uncomfortable.

Rest as much as you can. Inflammation is tiring for your whole body. Those who have had mastitis often say that they got it when they were under extra stress, or busier than usual - it may be a sign that you need to slow down. Rest is an important part of healing. Taking time off work, or having a partner or support person help you care for your baby can be useful for a few days.

Experiment with different feeding positions. This may help you be more comfortable and help to drain different areas of the breast.

Some experts recommend taking probiotics, or the food supplement lecithin. Check with your healthcare provider, a breastfeeding supporter, or LLL websites for current information.

Contact an LLL Leader or your local LLL group for more information and support.

Start treatment at the first signs of breast swelling or inflammation. It's often possible to deal with it at home without medical help.

Things to avoid

Rough massage of your breasts. This can increase inflammation - and really hurts! If you want to massage while feeding or expressing, use gentle touch, as if you were stroking a cat.

Applying a lot of heat, e.g. hot showers or compresses. Heat can increase inflammation. If a little warmth helps the milk to flow when you're feeding or expressing, or helps you feel more comfortable between feeds, use it for as short a time as possible. Don't direct a hot shower straight at your breast.

Trying to force milk out of the breast won't fix the inflammation and may make it worse.Electric toothbrushes, combs or other devices.

Trying to remove a lot more milk than usual. This can increase the amount of milk you're producing, increasing pressure in the breast. If you need to express more milk than your baby wants, aim to express just enough to be comfortable - not every available drop.

Some of the treatments that used to be recommended for mastitis don't help, and may even make things worse:

My breasts feel full but I can't get milk out - help!

Babies sometimes refuse to feed on a breast that has mastitis. The milk is safe for your baby but may taste different from usual. Your baby may also be objecting to a slower flow of milk - some people notice a temporary supply dip during mastitis. It usually goes back to normal when the breast has recovered. You will need to express milk from the affected breast until your baby is willing to feed on it again.

See Nursing Strikes for ideas to encourage your baby to feed.

Treat the inflammation by taking ibuprofen and perhaps applying a cold compress about 20-30 minutes before you feed or express.

If your baby is struggling to attach because the whole breast is engorged (full and tight), try expressing a little milk before offering the breast to your baby. Or try 'reverse pressure softening': press firmly around the nipple with fingertips or finger lengths for about one minute before feeding. This moves swelling away from the nipple.

Try gentle 'lymphatic drainage' massage (towards your armpit). See Further Reading.

What if your baby will feed, or you're trying to express, but little or no milk is coming out?

Don't panic! Engorgement or mastitis can act like a traffic jam in the breast . These tips can help you get the milk moving again:

Your symptoms are the same after 24 hours, or getting worse

You start to feel ill - shivery, shaky, like you have flu

You have a fever

A patch on your breast has changed colour and is getting larger, or you see streaks on your breast

You see signs of infection, such as a wound that looks crusty or oozes yellow, or your nipple is a different shape, size, or colour from normal.

If you're feeling okay in yourself (you don't have a fever or feel ill), you can try treating yourself at home for 24 hours. If by that time your symptoms are improving, you can continue for another 24 hours.

Get breastfeeding help if you need it. A breastfeeding supporter can help you get your baby deeply and comfortably attached at the breast.

Keep your milk flowing. Avoid too much milk building up in your breasts: feed or express as much as your baby wants, and offer extra feeds or express some milk if your breasts become uncomfortable at other times. If you have a lot more milk than you need, a breastfeeding supporter can help.

Check your breast comfort. Make sure nothing is pressing on the breast (see above, "Why does it happen?")

Watch out for early signs of mastitis and start self-help measures right away.

Contact NHS 111 or your GP straight away if:

You may need antibiotics. The NHS guideline on mastitis says that you should usually be given a 10-14 day course (if you have a shorter course, the mastitis is more likely to come back). If you need antibiotics, it's important to keep up with the self-help treatments above, as well as taking the medication. Let your doctor know if you're still not feeling any better by the third day after starting antibiotics.

Mastitis can be horrible, and make you question whether you can carry on breastfeeding. It's important not to suddenly stop removing milk while you've got mastitis, as this can lead to complications. You need plenty of practical and emotional support, and good medical care if necessary, until you're feeling better.

Written by Jayne Joyce and Justice Reilly

Last updated June 2024

My Baby Won't Breastfeed When a Mother is Unwell
Mastitis
La Leche League International article on mastitis: https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/mastitis/

References

Baeza, C. et al. 2022. Re: "Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Clinical Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum, Revised 2022" by Mitchell et al. Breastfeed Med 2022 17(11):970-971.

Douglas P. Re-thinking benign inflammation of the lactating breast: A mechanobiological model. Women's Health. 2022;18. doi:10.1177/17455065221075907

Mitchell, K.B. et al.; Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. 2022. Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Clinical Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum, Revised 2022. Breastfeed Med 17(5):360- 376. Erratum in: Breastfeed Med 2022 17(11):977-978.
Engorgement
NICE Mastitis and Breast Abscess (Clinical Knowledge Summary)
Blebs
Last revised in December 2023 Wilson, E. et al. 2020. Incidence of and risk factors for lactational mastitis: a systematic review. 36(4):673-686.

Zakarija-Grkovic I, Stewart F. Treatments for breast engorgement during lactation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD006946. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006946.pub4.

Douglas P. Re-thinking lactation-related nipple pain and damage. Womens Health (Lond). 2022 Jan-Dec;18:17455057221087865.
Over-the-counter medication
Mitchell KB, Johnson HM. Breast Pathology That Contributes to Dysfunction of Human Lactation: a Spotlight on Nipple Blebs. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. 2020;25(2):79-83.

O'Hara, M. A. Bleb histology reveals inflammatory infiltrate that regresses with topical steroids: A case series. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2012

NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service - UK Drugs In Lactation Advisory Service

Using paracetamol during breastfeeding , published November 2023

Using NSAIDS during breastfeeding , published February 2024

Other websites

Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Clinical Protocol #36:The Mastitis Spectrum, 2022. https://www.bfmed.org/assets/ABM%20Protocol%20%2336.pdf

Books The Womanly Art Of Breastfeeding . LLLI, London: Pinter & Martin, 2010

Breastfeeding Answers Made Simple . Mohrbacher, N. Amarillo, TX: Hale Publishing, 2010.

This information is available to buy as a printed booklet from our .

Copyright LLLGB 2024

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Mastitis, blocked ducts, and engorgement - La Leche League GB

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Avoiding and treating mastitis and breast infections

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New guidance on treating mastitis

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Breast refusal....when my baby wont breastfeed

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Breast refusal....when my baby wont breastfeed

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Sometimes breastfeeding doesn't get off to a good start and before you know it your baby is taking more and more bottles and won't breastfeed at all. Getting a baby back to breastfeeding after a period of bottle feeding can take some patience and perseverance, but it is definitely possible. If your breast milk supply has dropped then in addition to getting baby from bottle to breast you may have to build your milk supply or relactate. This article reviews how to get baby back to breast after a period of bottle feeding.

Find an IBCLC

Search for a breastfeeding expert near you

Tips to get started

1. Build your breast milk supply by regular pumping or hand expression as needed or see our Tips for Relactation

2. Keep your baby well fed while he practices breastfeeding so he doesn't learn to associate hunger and frustration with the breast. Being hungry won't force a baby to breastfeed well.

3. Stay calm-practice breastfeeding without pressure, relax your shoulders and try not to look tense, smile! Follow your baby's cues if he seems stressed and try again at another feed.

4. Be patient-it can take a while for a baby to learn something new but lots of babies have made the change from bottle to breast. Never try to force your baby to the breast as this will be counterproductive.

How to get baby back to breast

Skin-to-skin

Babies have a strong instinct to breastfeed and their instincts tend to be at their strongest when they are held close to the breast in skin-to-skin contact. Try holding your baby next to the naked breast without pressure to latch on (attach to the breast). The fewer clothes between you the better.

Remember to take off any scratch mittens so your baby can use his hands and tune into all his natural feeding reflexes.

Relaxing in the bath together in low lighting with your baby between your breasts can encourage feeding reflexes.

Using a sling around the house can increase skin contact and give your baby easy access to the breast.

Don't worry if your baby doesn't try to latch during his first time skin-to-skin-the important thing is to help your baby associate the breast with a warm, relaxing and safe place to be-with the opportunity to breastfeed when he is ready.

Try different breastfeeding positions

The way a baby is held at the breast can help or hinder latching. In the right position many babies can latch on all by themselves. Laid back or reclining positions can be particularly helpful with self latching. Our articles Breastfeeding Positions for Newborns and Breastfeeding Videos describe the main breastfeeding positions. If you're not sure of the best way to hold your baby, contact your breastfeeding helper or IBCLC Lactation Consultant, it will really help to have an experienced cheer leader at your side.

Avoid using a dummy or pacifier

A dummy or pacifier encourages a different suck to the one required for a good latch on the breast and also takes the place of the breast as main comforter. Try to reduce reliance on a dummy by offering the breast and skin-to-skin contact as the comfort for your baby instead. Letting a baby suck on a clean finger can also help to introduce a baby to the feeling of skin in their mouth as a comforter instead of a silicone teat.

Avoid using a bottle for some or all feeds

One way to encourage a baby to breastfeed is to reduce their reliance on a bottle teat to pave the way for a different feeding method. Alternatives such as cup feeding or finger feeding can encourage breastfeeding by helping to break a baby's association of food with artificial teats.

Cup feeding. Even very young babies can feed from an open cup when it is done carefully see Cup Feeding a Breastfed Baby for videos and more information.

Finger feeding. Finger feeding involves a baby sucking a parent's finger with a narrow gauge supplemental feeding tube held or taped alongside, through which the milk flows when baby sucks. The sucking technique needed for finger feeding is said to be closer to breastfeeding than bottle feeding, and finger feeding can introduce a baby to the feeling of skin in their mouth instead of a silicone teat. See What is Finger Feeding? for more information. After a little finger feeding to calm your baby and take the edge off his appetite, you could try moving him to the breast. Ensure your breast is soft and not over full to help him grasp the breast tissue to form a teat shape.

Make a bottle feed more like a breastfeed

If you can't avoid bottles yet, try to make bottle feeding more like breastfeeding by following these tips to bottle feed a breastfed baby. When bottle feeding mirrors breastfeeding as much as possible it can help a baby transition between the two ways of feeding more easily. The shape of the teat, the flow rate and the way you offer milk in a bottle can help or hinder breastfeeding. Some mothers hide the bottle in a cloth and keep baby next to a naked breast during their feed to help them associate the breast with milk.

Nipple shields-make a breast more like a bottle

Nipple shields are small silicone covers with holes in the tip that fit over a nipple. Because a nipple shield will feel and taste closer to a bottle teat this can be a helpful bottle-to-breast transitioning tool for babies who are already used to bottles. It may be helpful to try it when your baby is sleepy or in light sleep and with a breast full of milk. Expressing a little milk into the end of the shield will give your baby an instant reward if he latches. Some breast compressions can help keep your baby's interest if he does latch. Breast compressions involve applying gentle pressure to your breast to stimulate milk flow-be sure to keep your fingers far enough from your nipple so that you don't disturb your baby's latch. See Nipple Shields Good or Bad? and What is Breast Compression? for further information.

If your baby won't entertain a regular nipple shield, it s possible to buy a bespoke combined bottle teat and nipple shield which can be tried as a transitional tool eg the Haakaa Nipple Shield. Some mothers have had success with latching their baby by placing a bottle teat over their nipple for a practice session. If trying this however do make sure the teat doesn't rub and make you sore.

A sleepy baby may latch

When your baby is in a light sleep or not frantically hungry bring him skin-to-skin next to a full breast; he may latch in his sleep. Or hold your baby for a full sleep cycle in your arms and offer the breast when you see the earliest feeding cues. It can help if you can initiate the let-down (milk release) before your baby goes on to the breast so that there is an instant reward of milk. If your baby latches, some gentle breast compressions can increase milk flow. A dark and quiet room can be helpful to avoid distractions for your baby. See Bed-Sharing With Baby for safety information if you are considering bed-sharing.

Try switching between bottle and breast

Switching from a bottle to the breast half way through a feed has worked for some mothers by slipping the bottle teat out of baby's mouth and quickly moving them onto the breast before they notice. If baby hesitates at the feel of skin in their mouth a little gentle rocking or movement can encourage them to continue with the latch.

Use play and humour

For a slightly older baby, using new positions in a playful way may help turn breastfeeding into more of a casual fun thing, rather than an activity that creates tension and anxiety. Trying different positions and places for latching on-in the bath, the garden, kitchen, while walking about, in a dark room, even dangling a breast over him when he is on the floor (while you both giggle)-may all help make it more of a fun thing to do. Sometimes being inventive and making a silly game involving breastfeeding may work.

Watch other mothers and babies breastfeed

It can be helpful to spend time with other breastfeeding mothers for support and ideas. An older baby may be interested to copy other babies breastfeeding.

Once your baby latches...

Full breast or empty breast?

Try to strike a balance between offering a soft breast which will be easier for a latch, and a breast that is full enough to give an instant reward of plentiful milk. Shaping your breast ie compressing it/flattening it slightly to fit your baby's mouth can help your baby latch (i.e. the same way you might flatten a big sandwich full of lettuce before you take a bite). See Latching Tips for further help.

Stay relaxed

The first time your baby latches to the breast will be very exciting, you may find you tense up or hold your breath. Try to relax and act like this is natural and nothing special! You could sway slightly or rock your baby gently at this point. Some mothers have tried singing or chatting to their baby while their little one latches. The next step is providing an instant reward for any suckling, either via a full breast and an already initiated let-down or by breast compressions or with a supplemental nursing system (see below). As soon as your baby is taking good volumes at the breast try to phase out using the bottle for any top-ups so your baby can learn to breastfeed without nipple confusion.

Supplemental nursing system

If your milk supply is very low, supplementing at the breast with a homemade or commercial supplemental nursing system can help transition baby back to breast once they begin to latch. If your baby is latched correctly the thin feeding tube of the supplementer runs alongside the nipple or nipple shield delivering plenty of breast milk or formula. This helps give your baby a positive association with the breast as a food source and will also stimulate your own supply simply by baby being latched on. It can be fiddly and take some practice, and bear in mind an older baby may be aware of the tube at first. See Breastfeeding With a Supplemental Nursing System for more information.

Finish at the breast

If your baby is still having supplements by bottle but has started to latch, it can sometimes work well to offer most (but not all) of the supplemental feed first and then finish with a breastfeed. This way a baby learns to fall asleep full and contented at the breast. As your supply increases and baby's technique improves less supplement can be offered before the feed so that the bottle is gradually phased out.

If breastfeeding hurts...

Working with an IBCLC lactation consultant when you are trying to get your baby back to the breast can be a great support. There may be good reasons why breastfeeding didn't work out the first time and it can help a great idea to talk these through. Maybe it was because breastfeeding hurt because your baby was in a shallow latch, or you didn't think you had enough milk, or you had flat or inverted nipples. Knowing answers to common problems can help prepare you for any blips in your bottle-to-breast journey. Your lactation consultant will be able to make suggestions to improve latch, positioning, tongue function and milk supply.

Trouble shooting

Baby crying, arching and pulling away?

Sometimes a baby may seem quite distressed by breastfeeding or even the thought of breastfeeding. He might arch his back and pull away from the breast every time his mother tries to latch him, he may get very upset and cry. This might happen when a baby associates a negative experience with breastfeeding such as being pushed onto the breast when he is upset/crying or having their head held in position when they are trying to get away from the breast. Sometimes well meaning health professionals can cause this by their attempts to make a baby to breastfeed. Or a mother may inadvertently perpetuate it by repeating the technique. Once a baby is upset, a mother will get upset too and the tension around breastfeeding can be reinforced with every feed. Taking a short break from trying to breastfeed can help to break this negative pattern.

Take a break

Taking a break from trying to breastfeed for a few days might feel counterproductive, but making breasts a happy place can reset your baby's bad memories. Substitute breastfeeding efforts with lots of skin-to-skin contact without any pressure on your part to get your baby to latch. Try breastfeeding again in a few days using breastfeeding positions that give your baby more control of how and when to latch. Christina Smillie describes a step by step approach in her handout Time Off to "Reboot" the Baby and Get Over Breast Distress.

Stay calm

Babies breastfeed best when they are calm and alert. Choose a moment to try breastfeeding when your baby is calm, and help your baby stay calm by talking to him, reassuring him, maintaining eye contact and staying calm yourself.

Summary

Just as many breastfed babies can be persuaded to take a bottle, it is possible to get a baby to take the breast after a period of bottle feeding. It can take some patience and perseverance but there are several tips and tricks to try even if your baby is several weeks or months old.

Footnotes & References

Breast Distress, Breast Refusal, Oral Aversion and Total Freakout, Christina Smillie, LCGB Conference 2017

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Tips to get baby back to breast after a period of bottle feeding. It can take some patience and perseverance, but is definitely possible

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If you are looking to give some expressed breastmilk or formula, then used a paced bottle feeding approach will be the best for your baby.

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paced bottle feeding video - Google Search

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This video will show you how it’s done. Because being a new parent ... How to Bottle Feed your Baby: Paced Bottle Feeding. 1.6M views…

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Expressing milk means squeezing milk out of your breast so you can store it and feed it to your baby later.

You might want to express milk if:

How to express breast milk

You can express milk by hand or with a breast pump. How often you express your milk, and how much you express, will depend on why you're doing it.

Sometimes it takes a little while for your milk to start flowing. Try to choose a time when you feel relaxed. Having your baby (or a photo of them) nearby may help your milk to flow.

You may find it easier to express if you cover your breasts with a warm towel first, or after you have a shower or bath.

Expressing breast milk by hand

Some find it easier to express milk by hand, especially in the first few days or weeks. It also means you can express without needing a pump, or an electricity supply.

Hand expressing allows you to encourage milk to flow from a particular part of the breast. This may be useful, for example, if one of the milk ducts in your breast becomes blocked.

Hold a sterilised feeding bottle or container below your breast to catch the milk as it flows.

These tips may help:

Before you start, wash your hands with soap and warm water.

Have something clean ready to collect the milk in.

Some find gently massaging their breasts before expressing helps their milk to let down.

Cup your breast with one hand then, with your other hand, form a "C" shape with your forefinger and thumb.

Squeeze gently, keeping your finger and thumb a few centimetres away from your nipple, just outside the darker area around it (areola). Do not squeeze the nipple itself as you could make it sore. This should not hurt.

Release the pressure, then repeat, building up a rhythm. Try not to slide your fingers over the skin.

Drops should start to appear, and then your milk usually starts to flow.

If no drops appear, try moving your finger and thumb slightly, but still avoid squeezing the darker area near your nipple.

When the flow slows down, move your fingers round to a different section of your breast, and repeat.

When the flow from one breast has slowed, swap to the other breast. Keep changing breasts until your milk drips very slowly or stops altogether.

Watch a video about expressing milk by hand on the UNICEF website

Expressing milk with a breast pump

There are 2 different types of breast pump: manual (hand-operated) and electric.

Manual pumps are cheaper but may not be as quick as an electric pump.

You may be able to hire an electric pump. Your midwife, health visitor or a local breastfeeding supporter can give you details of pump hire services near you.

The suction strength can be altered on some electric pumps. Build up slowly. Setting the strength to high straight away may be painful or damage your nipple.

You may also be able to get different funnel (the part that goes over your nipple) sizes to fit your nipples. The pump should never cause bruising or catch your nipple as it's sucked into the funnel.

Always make sure that the pump and container are clean and sterilised before you use them.

Find out how to sterilise baby bottles

Storing breast milk

You can store breast milk in a sterilised container or in special breast milk storage bags:

in the fridge for up to 8 days at 4C or lower (you can buy fridge thermometers online) - if you're not sure of the temperature of your fridge, or it is higher than 4C, use it within 3 days

for 2 weeks in the ice compartment of a fridge

for up to 6 months in a freezer, if it's -18C or lower

Breast milk that's been cooled in the fridge can be carried in a cool bag with ice packs for up to 24 hours.

Storing breast milk in small quantities will help avoid waste. If you're freezing it, make sure you label and date it first.

Defrosting frozen breast milk

It's best to defrost frozen breast milk slowly in the fridge before giving it to your baby. If you need to use it straight away, you can defrost it by putting it in a jug of warm water or holding it under running warm water.

Once it's defrosted, give it a gentle shake if it has separated. Use it straight away. Do not re-freeze milk that's been defrosted.

Once your baby has drunk from a bottle of breast milk it should be used within 1 hour and anything left over should be thrown away.

Warming breast milk

You can feed expressed milk straight from the fridge if your baby is happy to drink it cold. Or you can warm the milk to body temperature by putting the bottle in a jug of warm water or holding it under running warm water.

Do not use a microwave to heat up or defrost breast milk. This can cause hot spots, which can burn your baby's mouth.

Storing breast milk if your baby is in hospital

If you're expressing breast milk because your baby is premature or sick, ask the hospital staff caring for your baby for advice on how to store it.

Read more about breastfeeding a premature or sick baby

If you're having difficulty expressing breast milk

If you're finding it difficult or uncomfortable to express your breast milk:

Ask your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter for help. They can also tell you about other breastfeeding support available near you.

Search online for breastfeeding support in your area.

Call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 (9.30am to 9.30pm daily).

The Bliss website also has advice about expressing milk for a premature or sick baby

Community content from HealthUnlocked

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Everything you need to know about expressing and storing your breast milk, including tips on hand expressing and electric breast pumps, and how to freeze, defrost and warm breast milk.

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This material was developed by Jane Morton, MD and produced for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial purposes is prohibited. Utilization of the materials to improve care of pregnant women and their newborns is encouraged with proper citation of source.

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This material was developed by Jane Morton, MD and produced for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial purposes is prohibited. Utilization of the materials to improve care of pregnant women and their newborns is encouraged with proper citation of source.

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Information about safe sleep, including co-sleeping can be found at https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/ and https://www.basisonline.org.uk/ .

You can also speak to your midwife or health visitor for more advice about this.

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The Lullaby Trust raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and offers emotional support for bereaved families

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There is some additional safety information for parents of multiples

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Co-bedding

Some parents co-bed their twins simply for practical reasons - if their bedroom will only fit one cot for example. But sleeping them together can soothe them too. Whatever you choose for your babies' sleeping arrangement, follow the safer sleep advice for each baby, for every sleep to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

"Co-bedding" is where siblings share the same sleep space, such as being in the same cot together. You might like to co-bed your twins or triplets in the early weeks and months, or you might prefer to sleep them in their own separate Moses baskets or cots from birth.

If you choose to co-bed, your babies should be placed on their backs with the tops of their heads facing one another, with their feet at opposite ends of the cot. Or side-by-side on their backs, with their feet at the foot (bottom) of the cot.

Once your babies can roll and move about the cot, they will need separate sleep spaces. This is because there is a risk they could roll into each other, which means they could accidentally block each others' airways (ability to breathe), or risk overheating.

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Safer sleep for your twins or multiples might look a little differently. Learn about co-bedding, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and...

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Where should your baby sleep - information about products

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Where should your baby sleep - information about products

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Information and safety considerations about where babies sleep and products to help with sleep

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Throughout history, parents have used a wide range of items which they feel (or they are told) will benefit their babies' sleep. In recent years products that are designed to 'promote infant sleep' have proliferated. Some of these products or sleep-aids have also become linked with increasing or decreasing babies' risk of SIDS, or otherwise affecting babies' health. There is no independent research evidence relating to most of these products, nor are there safety standards for most other than flammability of materials. However, sleep aids can provide much-needed rest for parents if they help to calm and settle babies. If sleep aids do help promote infant sleep and prevent night-time crying, there are positive results for both parents and babies' overall well-being..

In this section we summarise the research evidence currently available regarding some of the most commonly used and recommended sleep aids or products: dummies (or pacifiers), swaddling, baby sleep bags, slings, and bed-side cribs/cots.

Is encouraging babies to sleep more deeply or for longer a good thing?

Many 'sleep aids' marketed to parents claim to make babies sleep more deeply and for longer. Parents should be wary of any 'tips', products, or 'lifehacks' that make these claims.

Babies, especially newborns, have short sleep cycles and wake often during the night and the day. Although this can be tiring (because it is not the way that Western adults prefer to sleep!) it is good for babies' development, and frequent waking is protective against SIDS. Waking from sleep, otherwise known as arousal, is an important survival response that helps babies to regulate breathing and other processes. Things that interfere with an infant's arousability, especially during the critical period of development between 2-4 months, can increase the risk of SIDS.

Because of this, things that claim to help babies sleep deeper or longer can sometimes go against safe sleep guidance. Take time to think before using any 'tips' or 'tricks' that you might see online, and if you are not sure about something it is best to follow trusted safe sleep guidance. Avoid placing objects on your baby's body that might compromise their ability to breathe, avoid products that excessively restrict your baby's movement, and avoid using home-made replicas of fashionable products.

Product Safety

Infant sleep products often have labels that say they comply with or exceed safety standards. However, these standards are usually designed to test general safety (such as sturdiness and flammability) and cannot accurately measure a risk of SIDS.

Products that rock and 'shush' babies attempt to recreate the experience of being held and soothed by a parent. However, they are not a substitute for parental vigilance / attention and many manufacturers' instructions advise that they are used only with a caregiver present.

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The above link to BASIS has some information about SIDS and using a dummy. There are some further things to think about if you are breastfeeding. More details are here https://laleche.org.uk/dummies-and-breastfeeding/

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Dummies (also known as pacifiers) have long been used by parents who feel they help soothe or settle their baby. Recently some studies have suggested they may reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Research has shown that sucking (e.g. breastfeeding, finger-sucking or dummy use) has a calming and soothing effect on babies, including a reduced response to pain. In addition, since the early 1990s studies have shown that dummy use is associated with a reduced risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), compared with babies who did not use a dummy.

Recent American SIDS risk studies have found that dummy use is associated with a lower risk of SIDS.

One of the largest UK SIDS risk studies along with many studies elsewhere in Europe, Australasia and the Americas, have found the same association.

However the most recent UK SIDS risk study found that the importance of dummy-use in explaining SIDS risk had decreased, since the earlier large study.

Because of the strong protective effect found in some studies, some authorities now suggest that parents think about using a dummy when settling their baby to sleep. However, it is not known how dummies reduce SIDS risk. Some theories include that they may prevent babies from turning their face into bedding, alter the way babies' hearts work, or stop them from sleeping too deeply. These theories are also among those used to explain why breastfeeding reduces SIDS risk. It might also be that there is something else - that we don't know yet - about people who are more likely to use dummies which puts their babies at lower risk. They may, for example, be more likely to check regularly on their babies while they sleep, or to keep their babies in the same room.

In some of the SIDS studies it was only babies who didn't have a dummy - but normally used one - that were more vulnerable. Those babies who never had a dummy were not at higher risk, which suggests that if you start giving your baby a dummy for sleep then you must always give it.

Studies have shown that dummy use can have unwanted effects. Some have found that dummy use can lead to less breastfeeding and earlier weaning from the breast. An up-to-date review of research found dummies did not cause mothers to stop breastfeeding earlier (up to when their babies were 4 months old) when they were very motivated to breastfeed. However they were not able to say whether or not less motivated mothers might be disadvantaged by dummy use. Breastfeeding in itself reduces the risk of SIDS, along with other diseases, and helps with mother-baby bonding.

Some research has found links between dummy use and tummy and chest infections, and recurrent infections of the middle ear, but the exact relationship betwee dummy use and infections is not yet clear. and recurrent infections of the middle-ear.

For these reasons, along with the lack of information we have about how dummies work to reduce SIDS, and in which groups of babies they might have most effect, the UK Department of Health does not currently recommend dummy use as a way of reducing the risk of SIDS, however some SIDS prevention organisations do.

For more detailed information about dummies, see our Health Practitioners pages, or this Factsheet from the Lullaby Trust.

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Dummies (also known as pacifiers) have long been used by parents who feel they help soothe or settle their baby. Recently some studies have suggested they may reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Research has shown that sucking (e.g.

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If you are thinking about swaddling baby this link has some information about how to do this safely.

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It is normal for babies to cry in those early days. If you have met all their needs and you are still finding it difficult to calm them down then this video explains that it is ok to put them down in a safe space and take a minute or two to help you reset.

This link has some tips about calming a crying baby https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-care/how-soothe-baby

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Babies cry, you can cope When babies cry it can be stressful and overwhelming. Help is out there and all you need to do is ask. Latest news Testimonials

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BUMP is coming online!

Bump will be running now as an online course initially starting on zoom on Wednesday 10 th February 1-3pm and aimed at pregnant women who want to improve and maintain their wellbeing and mental health.

It will be a six session course run in conjunction with Milestone Mums.

We are very lucky to be working in partnership with the fantastic Milestone Mums group who support Mums with children up to 3 years old

The project will be held in a venue in Ellesmere Port and will be aimed at any pregnant Mums who want to look at improving their wellbeing and maintaining their mental health with the arrival of a new baby and beyond.

BUMP, six informal, small group sessions for one hour each.

You'll be able to:

Meet other Mums to be in their area

Look at themes to improve their wellbeing

Explore and plan their own wellbeing and self-care

Share experiences and support

Take part in creative and discussion-based projects

Have some fun me time with like-minded people

Find out about support available for Mums in the local area

When & Where?

First session starting Wednesday 10 th February 2021

1-3pm Online via ZOOM

Contact Sally at Chapter, or Sarah for more information

Or call

Sally on 07853 026 526 (Available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

Or book on via our

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BUMP is coming online! Bump will be running now as an online course initially starting on zoom on Wednesday 10th February 1-3pm and aimed at pregnant women who want to improve and maintain their wellbeing and mental health. It will be a six session course run in conjunction with Milestone Mums. We are very lucky [...]

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Support for parents struggling with unsettled or crying babies 

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Support for parents struggling with unsettled or crying babies 

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Who we are

In 1981 a small group of parents, who were experiencing problems with their crying and sleepless babies, set up a support group. They discovered how important support is and how reassuring it can be to talk to someone. Today that support group has become Cry-sis, the only UK charity offering help and support to parents with babies who cry excessively or have sleeping problems. From modest beginnings Cry-sis has become a well-respected national charity which:

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Support For Crying And Sleepless Babies | Cry-sis

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Cry-sis, the only UK charity offering help and support to parents with babies who cry excessively or have sleeping problems. Call the helpline now...

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Your guide to changing a nappy, what to do with dirty nappies, baby poo and different types of nappy.

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You now your baby best, this link provides information for parents to know what to do if they are concerned that baby is seriously unwell.

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How to recognise warning signs of serious illness in children under 5, such as cold hands and feet, rapid breathing, or mottled skin. Plus, advice on when to call an ambulance or take your child to A&E.

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Koala Facebook breastfeeding support groups 

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Koala Facebook breastfeeding support groups 

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At Koala North West Peer Supporters manage 2 Facebook groups for families to ask questions and access evidence-based information.

Our breastfeeding support group for families in Cheshire West and Chester can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bosombuddieschester/

and families can access the inbox for 1:2:1 support via the Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/BosomBuddiesBFSupport/

Families on the Wirral can access our 1001 days Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/708442230363247/

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Koala Bosom Buddies Breastfeeding Support | Facebook

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This is an online information and support group for parents who are breastfeeding, expressing or combination feeding. It is managed by Bosom Buddies who are trained peer supporters covering Chester,...

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Support preparing for birth for neurodivergent parents 

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Support preparing for birth for neurodivergent parents 

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Workshops are held multiple times a year and can be booked here

If you are interested in hosting a bespoke workshop for your organisation please contact us

Charting a New Path in Perinatal Care through Advocacy, Education, and Support for Neurodivergent Birthing People

Neurodivergent Birth was launched in February 2023 by doula Victoria White, with the aim of increasing understanding and awareness of neurodivergent perinatal experiences.

Victoria's daughter was diagnosed as autistic in 2022, and Victoria has also recently been exploring her own neurodivergence. Following her daughter's diagnosis, she read everything she could get her hands on about neurodiversity, and she began to see how many aspects of pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period could be challenging and experienced differently by neurodivergent people.

She launched an Instagram page and a podcast to facilitate the conversation. The response that this was a much-needed space within the birth world was overwhelmingly positive, and she began to have many wonderful and informative conversations with neurodivergent people, healthcare professionals and researchers via the podcast. This then led to the development of a competency workshop for birthworkers; 'Supporting Neurodivergent Birth', which she co-facilitates with fellow doula and neurodivergent advocate Sam Sheppard.

The workshop is held over 2 sessions; with the first session focusing on understanding the challenges neurodivergent people can face perinatally, and the second session a collaborative session to explore how birth workers can better support these challenges. The positives of neurodivergent birth are also explored, along with other themes including the importance of language, gender bias, late diagnosis, the role of hormones and much more. With an estimated 15-20% of the population being neurodivergent in some way, this is essential CPD for any inclusive birthworker.

Victoria and Sam have been delighted to be asked to create bespoke workshops for several birth organisations, and 'Supporting Neurodivergent Birth' now features in training offered by The Naked Doula, The Calm Birth School and The Fourth Postpartum CIC, with more collaborations in the pipeline. In June 2023 the workshop became accredited as official CPD for Doula UK (the UK's doula association).

The podcast is now heading into its second season. Interviewees include Sunday Times bestselling author Heidi Mavir, chair of the Maternity Autism Research Group Sara King, and writer, autism advocate and Tommy's ambassador Caro Tasker. Each episode explores the interviewees' own perinatal experiences from their neurodivergent perspective, the current level of understanding and awareness of ND support needs within health and social care services, and how small 'reasonable adjustments' can have a big positive impact. Get in touch if you would like to share your own neurodivergent story in a future episode.

'Supporting Neurodivergent Birth' Featured by:

Sam Sheppard

Workshop Facilitator

Sam has been a birth and postnatal doula since 2008. She has been privileged to have supported many births and families over the years and continues to remain in awe of women & birthing people; what they overcome and the power they have within them is truly remarkable and inspiring.

You'll find Sam in Essex with her husband, two children and menagerie of pets! She has been a mentor and now also facilitates doula training courses which she loves. Through all of these experiences Sam has found a desire to explore what support looks like for those with different needs, ways of thinking and lifestyles.

Having ASD and sensory issues herself, as well as close family members with neurodivergent diagnoses, the passion and drive to make the birth and postnatal period as accessible and supportive as possible has led her to Neurodivergent Birth.

Victoria White

Founder and Director

Victoria is a birth and postnatal doula who supports families through pregnancy, birth and beyond. She believes birthing people have the right to a positive birth and postnatal experience, and that this can be achieved with the help of consistent and compassionate support. She offers support both in person in Aberdeen, Scotland, and online anywhere in the world. She is also a trained Traumatic Birth Recovery 3 Step Rewind Practitioner, and Perinatal Emotional Health and Wellbeing Practitioner. She is the mum of two girls, one of whom is autistic, and is passionate about improving support for neurodivergent people perinatally.

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Supporting Neurodivergent People in Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond. Chart a new path in perinatal care with Neurodivergent Birth. We advocate for, educate about, and support neurodivergent birthing people. Our workshops explore the unique challenges and positive aspects of neurodivergent birth.

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If you are considering formula feeding or combining breastfeeding with formula feeding then it is recommended that you discuss this with your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding peer supporter so that you get all the information that you and your family need to do so safely and ensure that your decision is well supported. Evidenced based information can be found at First Step's Nutrition's Website.

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First Steps Nutrition Trust is an independent public health nutrition charity. We endeavour to fill practical and policy-relevant information gaps and provide resources for health workers supporting eating well from pre-conception to five years.

Our Mission

To influence policies which enable the safe, appropriate and optimal feeding of infants and young children in the UK, and to protect them from commercial interest.

To ensure that the importance of good nutrition from pre-conception to age five remains on everyone's agenda.

To provide conflict of interest-free information on infant milks marketed in the UK, and to promote better regulation and marketing of breastmilk substitutes.

To provide resources for health workers to support them in their work with pregnant women and young families.

Our Resources:

Are put together by nutrition experts and are regularly updated.

Can be used in Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative accredited settings.

Are available as free pdf downloads for use by anyone promoting better public health on a not-for profit basis.

Everyone who works at First Steps Nutrition Trust feels passionately about the need for better information and support for good nutrition - and good food - from pre-conception to five years.

First Steps Nutrition Trust is supported by generous individual donations and conflict of interest free grants. First Steps Nutrition Trust does not work with organisations or individuals that work with, or take funding from, the breastmilk substitute industry and we reserve the right not to sell them our subsidised resources.

First Steps works with and supports a number of organisations including Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative, the Baby Feeding Law Group, the Obesity Health Alliance, the Children's Food Campaign and the APPG on Infant Feeding and Inequalities.

First Steps Nutrition Trust host and regularly update their partner site infantmilkinfo.org which contains comprehensive information about infant milks (for 0-12 month olds) available on the UK market.

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First Steps Nutrition Trust is a charity which provides clear, evidence-based and independent information and support for good nutrition from pre-conception to five years of age.

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Click on this link for more information about vaccinations for your child

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Find out about NHS vaccinations for babies, children and adults, including why they're important and how to get them.

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How do I know that baby is breastfeeding well?

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How do I know that baby is breastfeeding well?

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This checklist explains how you can tell that baby is feeding well and when you might need to ask for some support.

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Dad Pad App for dads and partners

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DadPad | The Essential Guide for New Dads | Support Guide for New Dads

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The DadPad App - DadPad | The Essential Guide for New Dads | Support Guide for New Dads

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Developed with the NHS, DadPad gives new dads and dads-to-be the knowledge and skills needed to gain confidence and give their baby the best start in life.