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Please talk to your midwife if you are thinking about expressing your colostrum during pregnancy

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Please talk to your midwife if you are thinking about expressing your colostrum during pregnancy

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Not recommended before 36 weeks of pregnancy

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Is it safe to collect colostrum during pregnancy?

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Is it safe to collect colostrum during pregnancy?

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For information and guidance across Dorset during pregnancy and beyond.

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If you've recently found out you're pregnant, let us know - we want to make sure you're getting the right care EARLY PREGNANCY 0-12 weeks TELL ME MORE MID PREGNANCY 13-27 weeks TELL ME MORE LATE PREGNANCY 28 weeks onward

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NHS Dorset Antenatal infant Online Feeding Course:  Click on the link below:

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NHS Dorset Antenatal infant Online Feeding Course:  Click on the link below:

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CLICK ON THIS LINK: Dorset HealthCare :: Breastfeeding course
FREE - online feeding course.  Just the ticket while your pregnant to learn all about feeding your baby!

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Tailor-Made for Tiny Humans

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Recent News: Dutch researchers find Covid-19 antibodies in human milk

'We think when drinking the milk, the antibodies attach themselves to the surface of our mucous membranes,' Hans van Goudoever, head of the Emma children's hospital at the UMC, said. 'Then they attack the virus particles before they force their way into the body.' The UMC has now started a campaign to find 1,000 women who are willing to donate 100ml of breast milk for the research project. 'Women who may have had coronavirus without noticing it may also have made antibodies which can be found in milk,'

Here you'll find references and research supporting the information in the advert.

"Nature has been researching your milk for hundreds of millions of years"

"Your milk contains ingredients that kill cancerous cells"

"Your milk contains stem cells. These are cells that create and repair the body, and are being researched worldwide to cure conditions like Alzheimers and diabetes."

"Your body identifies bacteria and viruses found in your baby's body and environment. You then produce antibodies specifically tailored for those infections, and deliver them to your baby through your milk. The more milk she drinks, the more antibodies she receives."

"Your milk appears to switch on a gene in your baby's body, which produces a hormone called Leptin. This hormone tells your baby when his tummy is full, protecting him against over eating."

"Your milk contains Oxytocin, a hormone that induces relaxation, and feelings of well-being in your child and in you."

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The science of human milk and breastfeeding

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immediately after your baby is born

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Healthy Children Project
159 Long Pond Drive
Harwich, MA 02645
Ph: 508.888.8044
Fax: 508.888.8050

The First Hour After Birth: A Baby's 9 Instinctive Stages

The first hours after birth are a developmentally distinct time for a baby and there are well documented short and long term physical and psychological advantages when a baby is held skin to skin during this time.

When a baby is in skin to skin contact after birth there are nine observable newborn stages, happening in a specific order, that are innate and instinctive for the baby. Within each of these stages, there are a variety of actions the baby may demonstrate.

Stage 1: The Birth Cry
The first stage is the birth cry. This distinctive cry occurs immediately after birth as the baby's lungs expand.

Stage 2: Relaxation
The second stage is the relaxation stage. During the relaxation stage, the newborn exhibits no mouth movements and the hands are relaxed. This stage usually begins when the birth cry has stopped. The baby is skin to skin with the mother and covered with a warm, dry towel or blanket.
Stage 3: Awakening The third stage is the awakening stage. During this stage the newborn exhibits small thrusts of movement in the head and shoulders. This stage usually begins about 3 minutes after birth. The newborn in the awakening stage may exhibit head movements, open his eyes, show some mouth activity and might move his shoulders.

Stage 4: Activity
The fourth stage is the activity stage. During this stage, the newborn begins to make increased mouthing and sucking movements as the rooting reflex becomes more obvious. This stage usually begins about 8 minutes after birth.

Stage 5: Rest
At any point, the baby may rest. The baby may have periods of resting between periods of activity throughout the first hour or so after birth.

Stage 6: Crawling
The sixth stage is the crawling stage. The baby approaches the breast during this stage with short periods of action that result in reaching the breast and nipple. This stage usually begins about 35 minutes after birth.

Stage 7: Familiarization
The seventh stage is called familiarization. During this stage, the newborn becomes acquainted with the mother by licking the nipple and touching and massaging her breast. This stage usually begins around 45 minutes after birth and could last for 20 minutes or more.

Stage 8: Suckling
The eighth stage is suckling. During this stage, the newborn takes the nipple, self attaches and suckles. This early experience of learning to breastfeed usually begins about an hour after birth. If the mother has had analgesia/anesthesia during labor, it may take more time with skin to skin for the baby to complete the stages and begin suckling.

Stage 9: Sleep
The final stage is sleep. The baby and sometimes the mother fall into a restful sleep. Babies usually fall asleep about 1½ to 2 hours after birth.

Benefits for Babies:
Regardless of how you are feeding your baby, your baby can benefit from skin to skin contact.

Babies are warmer.

Babies are calmer.

Babies can hear their mother's heartbeat.

Heart and breathing rates are normalized.

Milk supply may be improved.

Other family members can hold and bond with babies through skin to skin holding too!

What To Do in the First Hour with Mother

You and your baby are covered with a blanket. The baby's head stays out. The baby is naked and not wrapped. You and your baby will rest skin to skin for an hour or two after birth. This is a special time for you and your baby. Necessary procedures and checks are done with the mother and baby skin to skin.

If there are medical reasons that keep you and your baby from skin to skin holding right after birth, start as soon as possible.

If you are on medications or anything that might impair your strength or ability to stay awake when holding the baby, be sure someone else can help you care for the baby and hold the baby skin to skin.

Kajsa Brimdyr, PhD, CLC
Healthy Children Project
159 Long Pond Drive
Harwich, MA 02645, (508) 888 8044

© Health Education Associates, Inc. Based on the research of Widström, et al.

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When a baby is in skin to skin contact after birth there are nine observable newborn stages, happening in a specific order, that are innate and instinctive for the baby. Within each of these stages, there are a variety of actions the baby may demonstrate.

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Safety information from The Lullaby Trust

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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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Demonstration using knitted breast

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This video guides mothers on how to hand express and talks about the times when hand expression might be useful.

See the Breastfeeding Network website for FAQs and a leaflet all about expressing and storing breastmilk.

Problems viewing this video? Contact us.

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Hand expression video - Baby Friendly Initiative

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This video guides you through how to hand express, and talks about the times when hand expression might be useful for you.

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What do dirty nappies really look like?

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Infants & new mums — First Steps Nutrition Trust

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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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School of Health & Social Care, Swansea University

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Why you might want to put the baby books down...

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Help to buy food and drink

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What is Healthy Start?

If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

If you're eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. We'll add your benefit onto this card every 4 weeks.

You can use your card to buy:

plain liquid cow's milk

fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables

fresh, dried, and tinned pulses

infant formula milk based on cow's milk

You can also use your card to collect:

Healthy Start vitamins - these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding

vitamin drops for babies and young children - these are suitable from birth to 4 years old

If you live in Scotland

You can get help from Best Start Foods (opens in a new tab) instead.

Advice on healthy eating

For more advice on healthy eating, visit:

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If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. If you're eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops.

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Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative | Importance of relationship building

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Yes, there is another trimester! 😊

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Demonstration using knitted breast

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This video guides mothers on how to hand express and talks about the times when hand expression might be useful.

See the Breastfeeding Network website for FAQs and a leaflet all about expressing and storing breastmilk.

Problems viewing this video? Contact us.

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Hand expression video - Baby Friendly Initiative

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This video guides you through how to hand express, and talks about the times when hand expression might be useful for you.

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Evidence Based information on how infants sleep and why

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Evidence Based information on how infants sleep and why

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Research-based information on baby sleep for parents and practitioners, covering normal infant sleep, sleep safety, where and how babies sleep, SIDS and SUDI, parental sleep and free resources.

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When will my baby sleep through the night?

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When will my baby sleep through the night?

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School of Health & Social Care, Swansea University

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College of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University

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How can my family and friends support me to breastfeed my baby?

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How can my family and friends support me to breastfeed my baby?

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School of Health & Social Care, Swansea University

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How you can Help Support a Breastfeeding Mum...

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Information on medication in breastmilk:
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/chat/
or
https://www.facebook.com/NationalBreastfeedingHelpline/

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An increasing number of mothers and health professionals have sought to find more information on the levels of medicines passing through milk to the baby. Standard reference books such as the British National Formulary (BNF) provide little information for professionals and parents to make decisions on individual situations. BfN endeavours to provide information to enable mothers to breastfeed their babies for as long as they wish and to provide information on the safety of medicines for each mother and baby pair.

Please use the below links for more information

We are constantly reviewing the information available on drugs and breastfeeding as new research is conducted. Therefore, from time-to-time the information on this website may be updated - please be sure to check regularly for any new information and changes to the drug information fact sheets and leaflets.

What is the Drugs in Breastmilk Information Service?

The original Drugs in Breastmilk Helpline was set up by BfN in response to the number of calls we were receiving that concerned medication.

In 2017 we noticed that majority of enquiries from parents and professionals to the Drugs in Breastmilk Helpline were coming via email or social media. As a charity operating on reducing funds we need to run the service in the most efficient and effective way possible without compromising the needs of parents. As a result we decided to run the Drugs in Breastmilk service via email and social media enquiry only.

You can still access information on taking prescription drugs while breastfeeding by sending a private message via our Facebook page or via . Please provide as much information as possible (age of baby, dose, frequency and name of medication or drug). All enquiries are answered as soon as possible by one of our small, volunteer team of qualified pharmacists or breastfeeding supporters. As we can't guarantee a response time, in an emergency situation, please do not wait for our reply, but access help from a trained healthcare professional.

If you call the old Drugs in Breastmilk helpline 0844 number, you will hear a recorded message with information about where to access alternative support. Calls won't be answered live and there is no voicemail service available.

If you still have the Drugs in Breastmilk helpline number on any materials or web pages please could you remove it and replace it with the following information:
'If you have specific questions about medications or treatments, please message the Drugs in Breastmilk information service Facebook page or email druginformation@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk. If you require breastfeeding support, please call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212."

The service is open to mothers and professionals. As the time available to deal with breastfeeding support of mothers is limited, professionals are encouraged to find out the information to enable them to support the mothers themselves.

Evaluation of the Drugs in Breastmilk Information Service

In 2019, BfN commissioned Swansea University to undertake an evaluation of the DIBM service we offer. The executive summary of this report can be found and the full report can be found .

Become a Friend of Drugs in Breastmilk

Please click here for more information on how you can help support this vital service.

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Drugs In Breastmilk - Is It Safe? - The Breastfeeding Network

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An increasing number of mothers and health professionals have sought to find more information on the levels of medicines passing through milk to the baby. Standard reference books such as the British National Formulary (BNF) provide little information for professionals and parents to make decisions on individual situations.

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Drugs in Breastmilk factsheets - The Breastfeeding Network

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

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As a gay woman, I'm painfully aware that health professionals sometimes don't have the knowledge or the sensitivity needed to work with me.
For example, when it was taking a while for me to get pregnant, the GP advised me, "Keep having sex regularly with your husband." She said this despite the fact that she'd seen me before and I had told her that I was married to a woman. Presumably this also would have been listed in my notes (not to mention that this advice is pretty unhelpful for anyone suffering from fertility issues). I pointed out that having regular sex with my wife, as fun as that might be, wasn't going to produce a baby. The GP didn't even have the good grace to apologise for her mistake and instead just said, "I haven't dealt with people like you before, though I did have a single lady once who wanted to get pregnant." My wife and I switched GP practices after this.

When it comes to matters of health, including breastfeeding, we owe it to our fellow human beings to try to understand as much about their lives and their needs as possible. So here I'd like to mention some of the issues we might want to consider when supporting queer* mums and trans dads; by these terms I mean gay/lesbian and bisexual women (and women in same-sex relationships who don't identify as gay/lesbian or bisexual), and men who were considered girls when they were born but who self-identify as male.
* I'm aware that not everyone is comfortable with the term queer, but I find it inclusive and encompassing, so I like using it, but as with all terminology issues, your mileage may vary.

"As a gay mum, I am always really grateful when people simply acknowledge our situation and attempt to understand us as a family rather than either pretending our differences don't exist or else asking a lot of inappropriate and immaterial questions."

Assumptions

We should try to avoid making assumptions about people in general, of course, but there are a few things that are particularly relevant to queer families. Many heterosexual/ cisgender people assume that if two women or a trans man (or a single woman, for that matter) have a baby, the baby must have been created through IVF. In fact, IVF is only one of many ways that queer families come to be. Other methods include adoption, using a known donor (a friend or a relative), using an unknown donor and having a more "natural" insemination at a clinic (i.e. without medication), inseminating at home with frozen sperm, and having a child with a former partner. It's often not relevant to the issue of breastfeeding in any case, but sometimes people try to make conversation and it just gets awkward. We had people asking us what clinic we used, for example, though there was no reason for them to know whether we had even gone to a clinic. Similarly, it's best not to make assumptions about gender roles. Just because one person has been pregnant and given birth doesn't mean that that person is the "woman" in the relationship; the person could identify in all sorts of ways, as could their partner. My wife is not the "father" or the "man" (we're both women and mothers), and a trans man would in most cases not want to be viewed as the mother. If you're unsure, ask, but try to do so sensitively and only if it makes any difference to the topic of breastfeeding and your interactions with the person.

Pronouns and terminology

It's best not to assume what pronouns, titles, or terms people want to use. Trans men, for instance, usually would not want pronouns such as "she" and "her" employed to them and, as already noted, do not see themselves as women or mothers. Partners may want to be called wives, spouses, partners, husbands, or something else. "Breastfeeding" is itself a loaded term; trans men in particular may feel more comfortable with "chestfeeding" or "nursing", as the connotations around "breasts" are not included in those words. And some would prefer us to describe ourselves as peer supporters rather than mother supporters. Many queer people are used to confusion around terms and will tell you what they prefer; for example, a genderqueer friend of mine hands out small pieces of paper that say, "My pronouns are they/them/their, and my title is Mx." If you need to know, ask as politely as possible.

Sensitive topics

Pregnancy and nursing can bring up challenging feelings for anyone, but there are a few issues that we want to be especially aware of when it comes to queer parents. For example, trans men might have body issues, since even though they wanted to get pregnant and give birth, pregnancy and feeding a baby can remind them that they were born with female parts. Feeding can feel threatening because it is seen as a quintessentially female act. For two -mum families, the non-birth mother might feel left out or even jealous of the nursing mum-nursling dyad, even if she actually had no desire to experience pregnancy or breastfeeding herself. I lost count of the number of people who questioned me about whether our baby got confused about whether to latch on to my breasts or my wife's breasts or whether my wife was angry not to be breastfeeding. These people asked out of prurient curiosity and it was never something I actually wanted to discuss or needed support with but I know other gay women who did want help in regard to this. We should be sensitive when it comes to these subjects and we should be prepared to support parents who want to talk about upsetting feelings regarding breastfeeding (or chestfeeding).

Medication/hormones

While most of us aren't trained to give advice on medicine, we should be aware that some trans dads in particular will be taking medication or hormones and we should know where to suggest they look for information. They will hopefully have discussed their hormone regime with their GPs, but they might also like to be told about the Drugs In Breastmilk helpline** . Sometimes the non-birth mother in a two-mum family might attempt to induce lactation, often with the help of medication and will need to be directed to appropriate information.

In short, as peer supporters and counsellors, we hope to be as understanding and helpful as we can in any situation but it behoves us to keep some of these topics in mind when we work with gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, and/or trans parents. As a gay mum, I am always really grateful when people simply acknowledge our situation and attempt to understand us as a family rather than either pretending our differences don't exist or else asking a lot of inappropriate and immaterial questions.

** Drugs In Breastmilk helpline: 0844 412 4665. https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/detailed-information/drugs-in- breastmilk/
B.J. Epstein Woodstein is a senior lecturer in literature at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, a peer supporter and newly qualified ABM Breastfeeding Counsellor.

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Tips for supporting LGBTQ Families - ABM

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Experiences of a gay woman "...health professionals sometimes don't have the knowledge or the sensitivity needed to work with me..."

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Supporting Transgender and non-binary parents

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Supporting Transgender and non-binary parents

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La Leche League is an international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organisation. 1 LLLGB supports everyone who wants to breastfeed or chestfeed in reaching their goals. We do not discriminate based on sex, gender or gender identity.

Trans men, trans women and non-binary individuals may choose to breastfeed or chestfeed their babies. You do not need to have given birth to breastfeed or chestfeed, as we can also see in the experiences of those nursing adopted babies.

Transgender dad Trevor MacDonald writes that, "It is equally important to note that some trans people experience severe gender dysphoria when breast or chestfeeding, and that they may decide not to nurse their babies for mental health reasons. Trans parents choosing to breast or chestfeed and those choosing to suppress lactation and bottlefeed may require the support of breastfeeding counsellors or lactation professionals." ²

Amazing milk

One of the concepts La Leche League is founded on is that: human milk is the natural food for babies, uniquely meeting their changing needs. Human milk is amazing. It has everything a growing baby needs in exactly the right amounts and babies can easily digest it all. Research shows that a baby who is not fed on human milk is more likely to suffer from illnesses and diseases, both as a child and later in life. By meeting your baby's needs for warmth, food and security at your chest you give them a secure attachment so they can develop into a conﬁdent child.

Skin-to-skin

Skin-to-skin contact is beneficial for babies and parents; it simply means holding your naked baby on your bare chest. You can drape a blanket over you both for warmth. Within minutes, you will see the benefits of skin-to-skin as you and your baby relax. Your baby's body temperature, breathing, and heart rate will stabilise. Babies often latch on and nurse more efficiently during and after skin-to-skin contact.
It is a lovely way to nurture your baby even if you are not nursing.

Your milk supply

Some transgender and non-binary parents have a full milk supply. If you have had chest (top) surgery you may be able to produce some milk. Many factors will affect the amount of milk you can make.

Two reasons that a trans man might have a reduced milk supply are:
1. Milk-making tissue has been surgically removed, and/or ducts have been damaged in surgery.
2. Testosterone interferes with the hormone necessary for lactation (prolactin) and can cause a significant decrease in milk supply. However, taking testosterone would not prevent someone from using an at-chest supplementer and having a nursing relationship.

Trans women can use a protocol similar to adoptive and other non-gestational mothers and stimulate their milk supply: it is called the Newman-Goldfarb protocol. You can read more here https://www.laleche.org.uk/relactation-induced-lactation/ and here http://www.asklenore.info/breastfeeding/induced_lactation/protocols4print.shtml.

You can also give human milk or formula supplements using an at-breast supplementer. Your healthcare provider can help you look at your options, and your local LLL Leader can offer support with your breast or chestfeeding goals and journey.

You may find the following websites have useful information:
Breastfeeding After Breast and Nipple Surgery http://bfar.org/index.shtml?fref=gc
Low Milk Supply http://www.lowmilksupply.org/

Many parents worry about whether their baby is 'getting enough'. LLL meetings are a good place to get support from others. These LLL posts are great for checking signs your baby is feeding effectively:
https://www.laleche.org.uk/is-my-baby-getting-enough-milk/
https://www.laleche.org.uk/signs-effective-feeding-early-days-2/

Using a nursing supplementer

If your baby needs a supplement of expressed milk or formula you might want to consider using a nursing supplementer. Doing this can give your baby that extra milk while they are nursing.
Supplementers can help parents have an at-breast or at-chest relationship with their baby whether or not they are able to produce milk.

This post has lots of useful information about nursing supplementers: https://www.laleche.org.uk/nursing-supplementers/.

Milk sharing

Some transgender and non-binary parents use milk banks to acquire human milk for their babies. La Leche League fully supports the use of human milk for babies; we cannot facilitate or set up milk sharing networks, though your local LLL Leader can help you with contact information for non-profit human milk banks, other regulated collection centres, and formal/medically supervised or informal milk sharing networks. 3 Human milk banks provide pasteurised, screened donor milk.

There are documented benefits and risks to informal milk sharing. Benefits of human milk include, but are not limited to:

optimal nutrition

easy digestibility

immunological protection

Risks of sharing milk can include, but are not limited to:

transmission of certain infectious agents, like bacteria or viruses, some of which may be found in milk expressed by asymptomatic people

medicines and other drugs

environmental contaminants as a result of unhygienic storage and handling of unprocessed donated milk

Human Milk for Human Babies (HM4HB) is an "informed milk sharing network", and is an international organisation that many parents use to source human milk: https://www.facebook.com/HM4HBUK/

LLL Support

All parents need support and La Leche League is a great place to find it. There are over 70 LLL groups across Great Britain, most offer meetings open to all - contact your local group to find out how they can support you. Many groups also have closed Facebook groups where you can ask questions and connect with other nursing parents.

LLL meetings are held in a wide range of venues - LLLGB is not affiliated to, and does not endorse or support, any business, organisation or religion whose premises we use. https://www.laleche.org.uk/find-lll-support-group/?fref=gc

LLLGB also offers these services:
National Helpline: 0345 120 2918 https://www.laleche.org.uk/telephone-helpline/
Online Helpform support: https://www.laleche.org.uk/submit-help-request/
Contact us for non judgmental information and support.

Find more LLLGB support listed here:
https://www.laleche.org.uk/get-support/?fref=gc<

Other support

International Facebook group for 'birthing and breast or chestfeeding trans people and allies': https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransReproductiveSupport/?fref=gc&hc_location=ufi

La Leche League - Inducing lactation and relactation Facebook group

Resources

Where's the Mother? Stories from a Transgender Dad. Trevor MacDonald: Trans Canada Press, 2016

LLL article: Support for Transgender and Non-binary parents

Defining Your Own Success: Breastfeeding After Breast Reduction Surgery. Diana West: LLLI, 2001:
https://www.bfar.org/book.shtml

My Journey: Non-binary Nursing - from LLLUS
https://lllusa.org/my-journey-non-binary-nursing/

Trans breastfeeding FAQ:
http://dianawest.com/trans-breastfeeding-faq/?fref=gc

US based website Kellymom's post:
http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/transgender-parents-chestbreastfeeding/?fref=gc

Transmasculine individuals' experiences with lactation, chestfeeding, and gender identity: a qualitative study:
https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-016-0907-y?fref=gc

Transgender/transsexual/genderfluid Tip Sheet - General Information, LLL Canada
https://www.lllc.ca/sites/default/files/REVISED-Trans-Nursing_Tip-Sheet.pdf

Breastfeeding without giving birth, LLLI article by Aylssa Schnell
https://www.llli.org/breastfeeding-without-giving-birth-2

Language

We are aware that transgender and non-binary individuals use a variety of different terms to describe their anatomy and the acts of feeding and nurturing their babies. We have used the terms "chestfeeding" and "nursing", with the second of these capturing the nurturing relationship associated with this way of feeding a baby.

Elsewhere on the site we use 'breastfeeding', 'breastmilk' and 'mother': they reflect the founding and unchanged mission of LLLI to provide mother-to-mother support for breastfeeding. They also reflect the stated identity and valued role of the majority of people whom we support and provide information to - those who identify as breastfeeding mothers.

Whatever language you use we hope that much of the information we share is still helpful and relevant.

References
1 La Leche League International Bylaws, Section 1: General Purpose
2 http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/transgender-parents-chestbreastfeeding/?fref=gc
3 http://leadertoday.breastfeedingtoday-llli.org/milk-donation-policy/

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Support for Transgender & Non-binary Parents - La Leche League GB

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La Leche League is an international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organisation.1 LLLGB supports everyone who wants to breastfeed or chestfeed in reaching their goals. We do not discriminate based on sex, gender or gender identity. Trans men, trans women and non-binary individuals may choose to breastfeed or chestfeed their babies.

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Practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers.

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Using straightforward language and simple illustrations to aid understanding, these infosheets on breastfeeding and bottle feeding are available in multiple languages and can be used to support parents with the basics of feeding and responding to their baby.

The infosheets are free to download and print, and are currently available in:
Please note: Following feedback, these translations were updated in 2019 to ensure the language used was as straightforward as possible.
The English versions of these resources are available below for reference:

Breastfeeding guidance: English (for reference)

Bottle feeding guidance: English (for reference)

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Foreign language resources - Baby Friendly Initiative

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These infosheets are available in multiple languages and can be used to support parents with feeding and responding to their baby.

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Information available in foreign languages

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Information available in foreign languages

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Browse support in our Information Library by stage, need, family member. Our most popular leaflet is Relactation: restarting breastfeeding after a gap.

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Providing Milk for vulnerable babies

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HMB – A drop of hope, a world of difference.

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Home

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You can donate your breastmilk to help premature babies.

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UKAMB

Welcome to UKAMB

Donated breastmilk from the country's network of milk banks helps to save the lives of premature and sick babies.

UKAMB is a registered charity that supports human milk banking in the UK and was set up in 1997. Our motto is 'Every Drop Counts' and we believe that the provision of safe and screened donor breastmilk makes an important contribution to the care of the premature and sick infants who receive it. Our goal is to ensure access to donor milk to every child who would benefit from its use.

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UK Human Milk Bank - Breast Milk Donation, BreastMilk Storage, UKAMB

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UKAMB, a registered organization supports human milk banking to save the lives of premature and sick babies. Connect with our network today!

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What breastfeeding support is right for you?

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What breastfeeding support is right for you?

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Information from the Lactation Consultants of Great Britain

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Click on the image for more information

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Breastfeeding Dorset. 13 likes · 10 talking about this. Facebook page for The Breastfeeding Network in Dorset. Our well trained peer supporters provide emotional support to parents and families,...

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http://www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk/
9.30am – 9.30pm every day of the year

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Mother to mother support and local breastfeeding support groups.  Also provide a virtual "drop in group" and Facebook Group. Check out their website for details.

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Click here to view the 2016 Real Baby Milk Guide. It is packed full of information about breastfeeding and caring for your baby! Please see below links for al

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Feeding Helpline: 0300 330 0700 Option 1
National Helpline open 8am to midnight EVERY day of the year
https://www.nct.org.uk/about-us/contact-us

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Email us

If you can't find the information you need, please email us using the form below. The more information you provide the quicker we will be able to assist.

If you have a complaint or other comments about NCT or our services please email enquiries@nct.org.uk

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We provide practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers.

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https://abm.me.uk/ Mother to mother support.  ABM Breastfeeding Counsellors man the National Breastfeeding Helpline

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

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Support from LLL Leaders: 01341202918

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If you need telephone support for breastfeeding, a good first port of call is to look for an LLL Leader (breastfeeding counsellor) local to you.

If this doesn't get you the support you need, then to speak directly to an accredited LLL Leader (breastfeeding counsellor) call our telephone Helpline 0345 120 2918 (This is open from 8am to 11pm, 365 days a year).
Read about our Helpline Team here.

Calls to this number will be charged at your local call rate, plus your phone provider's access charge.

Your call will be answered by a volunteer breastfeeding counsellor from her own home.

Volunteers taking Helpline calls are mothers themselves.

They have breastfed their own children and will listen to your questions, offering practical suggestions and warm support.

They have the most up-to-date breastfeeding information available to help you make the decisions that are right for you and your baby.

Do consider contacting your nearest LLL group for local support.

We really appreciate the courage and effort it takes to pick up the phone to seek help.

Your call will be answered by the first Leader on the list.

Our helpline is open from 8am to 11pm, seven days a week. Outside these hours, or if there is no one available to take your call, and you will offered the choice of leaving a message for our Callback Team.

If you leave a message someone will call you back within 48 hours, though often much sooner. They may send you a text message to arrange a suitable time to call.

If you don't want to leave a message you can call us back another time.

We would love you to get support at this important time in your lives as both mother and baby.

Have you tried our Support pages? We have lots of easy to find breastfeeding information, as well as details of local meetings and Facebook support groups.

Whilst our Helpline operates in the evening and weekends it can be disruptive to family life if the phone rings late at night or early in the morning!

We ask for your help in avoiding those times unless your problem is really urgent.

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If you need telephone support for breastfeeding, a good first port of call is to look for an LLL Leader (breastfeeding counsellor) local to you. If this doesn't get you the support you need, then to speak directly to an accredited LLL Leader (breastfeeding counsellor) call our telephone Helpline 0345 120 2918 (This is open [...]

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Start4Life Breastfeeding Friend Chat bot

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Start4Life Breastfeeding Friend Chat bot

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Ask a breastfeeding question day or night

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Skip to main content

Breastfeeding is a skill that takes time to get the hang of. Lots of mums wonder if their baby's feeding well and getting enough - especially in the first few days. But once you've mastered it, you'll probably find it's the easiest and most satisfying way to feed your baby.

Apart from the fact that breast milk is tailor-made for your baby, contains vitamins and minerals and is always available, it also offers protection from certain infections and helps improve your baby's long-term health. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), childhood diabetes and leukaemia.

We're here to provide lots of helpful information and advice on breastfeeding. If you have any breastfeeding worries or concerns, the best thing to do is speak to your midwife or health visitor, or join a local breastfeeding support group.

Any amount of breastfeeding is beneficial, but exclusively breastfeeding your baby for 6 months offers a lot more protection. There are benefits and advantages for you too - breastfeeding helps:.

your uterus get back down to size - after your baby is born, your uterus (womb) will gradually get smaller day-by-day, but breastfeeding will help speed this up

you bond with your baby - breastfeeding is a lovely way to feel close and strengthen the bond between you and your baby

release a hormone called "oxytocin" which helps you feel calm and connected to your baby

protect your health - breastfeeding lowers your risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis (weak bones), diabetes and cardiovascular disease (conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels)

burn off calories - if you are exclusively breastfeeding, this will help burn off about 300 calories a day

There are many benefits of carrying on breastfeeding after 6 months - your breast milk protects your baby from infections and there's some evidence it helps them digest solid foods.

Breastfeeding Friend from Start for Life

The Breastfeeding Friend, a digital tool from Start for Life, has lots of useful information and expert advice to share with you - and because it's a digital tool, you can access it 24 / 7.

For confidential breastfeeding information and support, call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212. Lines are open 9:30am to 9:30pm every day.

Sign up now for our pregnancy, baby and toddler guide

Get personalised emails for trusted NHS advice, videos and tips on your pregnancy week by week, birth and parenthood.
Get weekly emails

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Breastfeeding can take practice - read our guides on breastfeeding to find out what works best for you

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Skip to main content Breastfeeding is a skill that takes time to get the hang of. Lots of mums wonder if their baby's feeding well and getting enough - especially in the first few days. But once you've mastered it, you'll probably find it's the easiest and most satisfying way to feed your baby.

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Virtual breastfeeding support from Alexa!

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Virtual breastfeeding support from Alexa!

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Breastfeeding Friend from Start for Life on Amazon Alexa

If you have any breastfeeding questions, the Breastfeeding Friend voice assistant from Start for Life, has lots of useful information and advice. And because it's a digital tool, it's available whenever you need it 24 / 7.

Whether you're experiencing breastfeeding difficulties, you've got sore nipples, or you want to know which vitamins you should be taking, the Breastfeeding Friend is ready to help.

All day, every day, you'll have access to:

NHS trusted advice - based on questions asked by thousands of new mums

Daily breastfeeding tips - on things like comforting your newborn, feeding frequency, and what to do if your baby cries during feeds

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Do you have any breastfeeding questions? Get NHS trusted advice from the Breastfeeding Friend available on Amazon Alexa. Find out more

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If you have any breastfeeding questions, the Breastfeeding Friend voice assistant from Start for Life, has lots of useful information and advice. And because it's a digital tool, it's available whenever you need it 24 / 7.

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Support for parents

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Below are a range of useful resources for parents on infant feeding and relationship building, as well as information on overcoming common breastfeeding challenges.

Overcoming breastfeeding problems

You may find whilst trying to establish breastfeeding that you run into problems. Whilst these can be debilitating and painful, thankfully the most common ones can be solved relatively quickly and easily - given the right support.

Unfortunately, support is often not available or, what is worse, mothers are told that problems such as engorgement and sore nipples are a normal part of breastfeeding. This is not true.

Below you can read about how different problems develop, how to spot them at a early stage, and how to solve them by yourself or with the support of a health professional.

There are various mother support groups which offer infant feeding support:

Find more useful organisations.

Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby. If you decide not to breastfeed or to stop breastfeeding, it is possible to restart. Giving infant formula to a breastfed baby will reduce your milk supply. You do not need to eat any special foods while breastfeeding, but it is a good idea for you, just like everyone else, to eat a healthy diet.

Resources to support you

Below is a selection of resources to support you with feeding, caring, and building a close and loving relationship with your baby.

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Support for parents - Baby Friendly Initiative

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You may find whilst trying to establish breastfeeding that you run into problems. Whilst these can be debilitating and painful, thankfully the most common ones can be solved relatively quickly and easily - given the right support.

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Breastfeeding Support - Breastfeeding tips, tricks & support

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Search for common problems here, like sore nipples, engorgement, mastitis.

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Breastfeeding Support - Breastfeeding tips, tricks & support

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Breastfeeding Support is an evidence-based website sharing helpful breastfeeding resources and promoting good breastfeeding practice.

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Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative | Meeting baby for the first time

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Got a newborn?  What's normal? The first week!

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Got a newborn?  What's normal? The first week!

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The first week with a newborn can be a wonderful and exciting time, but adjusting to a new life can also be overwhelming, especially when parents aren't sure what to expect. In this guest blog, lactation consultant Emma Pickett explores what's "normal" in the first few days, and encourages mums to trust their baby and their own instincts of love, affection and responsive feeding.
I've been taking calls from new parents on the National Breastfeeding Helpline since it opened in 2008. Calls often begin with a mum in tears and she's sounding desperate. Breastfeeding really matters to her and she wants it to work. She's overwhelmed and confused. The first voice we hear might sometimes be the partner's and a mum is too upset to even come to the phone.

Hundreds of these calls end with a contented calm voice saying, "Thank you. It's such a relief to know that's normal. I feel so much better now". As it happened, breastfeeding was actually going OK; what was interpreted as a breastfeeding 'problem' was actually a new baby's normal and natural response to their new environment. The family just didn't know how babies were 'supposed to behave'.

If I had a magic wand, I would download into all parents the knowledge of what is normal in a newborn. Think The Matrix film - but instead of the ability to pilot helicopters or practise high level martial arts, you'd know about cluster feeding and a newborn's desire for closeness, nappies and normal fussiness. The National Breastfeeding Helpline would be quieter overnight but we'd all feel a lot more relaxed and able to enjoy these teeny new people in our lives.

But actually ... you've already had that download. You just may not have realised it. It's deep in there after millions of years of evolution, facilitated by hormones and natural instincts. It may not mean you know the exact details of the colour of baby poo on day three, or how to correct a baby's latch without help, but there's so much you do know. You may not have grown up surrounded by breastfeeding, and for some aspects you will need support and information, but there's a ton you do know about your baby: things that just feel right and things that don't. And your baby had the download too. Sometimes it gets fuzzied with a birth that didn't go to plan but their instincts are in there too.

Two things that are normal:

1.Babies want to be close to you.

Imagine a news story about a baby gorilla just born in London zoo: "ZSL London are delighted to announce the birth of new baby Fumbi. Mother and baby are in good health" but days later it's reported that staff are concerned. Fumbi's mother (despite being surrounded by other older female gorillas and having observed newborn care) keeps trying to put Fumbi down. She places her in the hay and walks off repeatedly and appears to be trying to avoid holding her for long periods. Fumbi is agitated. Her heart rate and respiratory rate shows signs of distress. She's losing heat (because teeny newborn gorillas have a large surface area and need to be held to regulate their temperature). Fumbi isn't feeding as often a newborn usually does because of the periods of separation. The mother appears to be missing out on some of the oxytocin- (the hormone that promotes feelings of love) induced bonding that helps the formation of their early relationship. Fumbi is at risk.

Oh dear. Something seems to have happened to Fumbi's mother. We'd be worried.

However, this is exactly what is happening in human homes across the UK today (though not in many other countries and cultures). We are primates just as gorillas are. We're designed to be close to our babies. We can see that by looking at the constituents of our breastmilk. Other mammals have much higher fat milk so babies can be left while mum fishes or grabs a rabbit for lunch. Our babies are born immature because of our pelvis shape from being upright and our large brains, and they are designed to have milk regularly for a relatively long time. We are supposed to hold our babies. Some people call us 'carry mammals'.

But instead we get the message that babies can be 'spoilt'. We are supposed to encourage them to be independent and sleep apart from us. If we can't put them down, if they want to sleep touching us, if we hold them when they sleep - we've apparently failed some test. Though it's not quite clear who the examiner is.

There are popular books that even use terms like 'accidental parenting' just to load on the value judgments. Parenting experts such as Truby King in the 1910s told parents to avoid cuddling and unnecessary attention and the spectrum of 'advice' has been flip-flopping backwards and forwards ever since. Today one book will tell you to wear your baby in a sling as much as possible and another will tell you to arrange a baby's sleep by the clock and leave a baby only a few weeks old to cry if necessary.
What does your baby want?
They don't want to be put down and eaten by a sabre toothed tiger (less of a problem these days). They don't want to waste energy keeping warm and crying when they don't need to. They want to keep those calories to lay down fat and develop their brain. They want to use your breathing rate to regulate their own respiratory rate. They want you to notice when they start to show early feeding cues. They want your familiar smell and taste. You are home to them.

"My baby won't go down in its Moses basket". Yes, it's frustrating when you thought that was what they were 'supposed to do'. But would it feel easier if you knew that wasn't likely to be their first choice and there are good biological and evolutionary reasons for that?

"But I'm not going to get any sleep". According to the Baby Sleep Information Source, "70-80% of breastfed babies sleep with their mother or parents some of the time in the early months, and many studies have found that mothers and babies who bed-share breastfeed for much longer than those who sleep apart." Research shows that these mums breastfeeding through the night (and mostly bed sharing) will also be getting better quality sleep and be more rested than other parents. Good sleep is possible if we stop battling nature.

The book "Sweet Sleep: night time and naptime strategies for the breastfeeding family" is a great place to start. It talks to you about creating a safe space where everyone gets a better night's sleep.

A lot of your baby's urges are eminently sensible. If they don't want to sleep in a separate pile of hay, trust them. They are here today because those urges have kept them safe over the generations.

Don't expect to be up and making a moussaka on day five. The feeling that you 'shouldn't' be holding your baby is exacerbated when we live in a society which tries not to let new parenthood change our lives. Our bodies aren't supposed to change. Our commitment to work isn't supposed to change. Our ability to engage with political life and housework and social media isn't supposed to change. Actually, throughout much of human history, mum isn't going to do much of anything for a good 40 days. Someone else is making the moussaka, just as you would have once made the moussaka for them. We are supposed to be doing nothing else other than eating the food made by others (really doesn't have to be moussaka), sleeping and being with our new baby.

2.They come to the breast for lots of different reasons and they usually have a good reason for doing so.

Just as parents feel they've failed if their baby doesn't sleep in the separate pile of hay (aka fancy Moses basket that cost £75 and granny knitted a blanket for), they feel a failure if baby is at the breast 'too much'. I have written elsewhere on the dangerous obsession of the infant feeding interval. It's dangerous for both babies and mothers. But we need to remember breastfeeding isn't just about feeding and it never has been.

Babies have jobs to do. They are helping you to form new breast tissue in the first few weeks. They are elevating your prolactin levels (the hormone that governs milk supply). They are stimulating oxytocin (which is the key hormone in relationship-building and creating a sense of calm and well-being). They are increasing milk volume and altering fat content. They are reducing levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. They are facilitating digestion and the passing of stools. They are hydrating, regulating their temperature, feeling emotionally secure, growing brain connections and trying to get to sleep (which is one of the purposes of breastfeeding.)

To think breastfeeding is just about food and calories (and "quick, measure the gap between breastfeeds!") is to do nature a huge disservice. Measuring all the different reasons a baby comes to the breast is like trying to measure fairy dust. Do you count all the times your partner cuddles you, strokes your arm, kisses you, smiles at you affectionately, communicates with you, has a drink of water, eats a snack or has a meal? You wouldn't find an app for that.

Stop thinking about minutes. No one can tell you a baby should feed for X number of minutes because we all have different physiology and our babies do too. Create your world around you so you can meet your baby's needs in the way they are asking you to. Don't try and mould your baby to fit into a world that has become obsessed with counting and measuring. If you know you are a routine person and you are struggling with a feeling of 'losing control', give yourself a few weeks and see how it feels to trust your baby. Once your milk supply has maximised, you'll have some options. Try and 'control' too early and you'll find things go out of your influence in ways you can't come back from easily.

Get help if things feel wrong - if breastfeeding hurts, if you're not sure about weight gain or nappies, if you can't work out how to meet your own needs for food and sleep. There are lots of people who will help out and we're at the end of a phone or a Twitter account or Facebook page. But don't confuse your baby behaving unexpectedly for something going 'wrong'. Maybe no one told you what normal would be.
If we let normal happen it will make all of our lives easier in the long term. You're creating a little person who enters this world with their needs being met.
This blog was originally featured on the Growing Families conference website.

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Guest blog: "Is this normal?" The first week with a breastfeeding newborn - Baby Friendly Initiative

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In this guest blog, lactation consultant Emma Pickett explores what's "normal" in the first week with a newborn, and encourages mums to trust their baby and their own instincts.

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For breastfeeding support go to section 10 of this Padlet: Infant Feeding Support

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For breastfeeding support go to section 10 of this Padlet: Infant Feeding Support

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From the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers #Feedon

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How to breastfeed

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Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative | Positioning and attachment

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Feeding Information from The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers

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Feeding Information from The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers

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Browse support in our Information Library by stage, need, family member. Our most popular leaflet is Relactation: restarting breastfeeding after a gap.

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From UNICEF BFI

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How to know feeding is going well

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Find one that works for you and your baby

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The way you hold your baby or position them will affect how easy it is for them to breastfeed effectively. You can breastfeed your baby in many different positions, so it's good to try different ones. This helps you find what's most comfortable for you and allows your baby to get just the right mouthful of breast to feed effectively and easily.

Breastfeeding positions for newborns

When you first start breastfeeding, you and your baby may take a while to master this new skill. Patience and trying different positions will help you find a position that works for you both.
Our video has some great tips on different ways to hold your baby.
If you're having problems breastfeeding, or with latching or attachment, do call our infant feeding support line on 0300 330 0700 to talk to a breastfeeding counsellor. Your midwife or health visitor may know about local breastfeeding support groups.

Getting some support with breastfeeding can help you to get comfortable in one or more of the breastfeeding positions that we describe in this article.

Here's how to get started...

Preparing to feed

Your baby will be happier and will latch more easily if you can identify and respond to their early feeding cues. If they are crying or upset, they need to be calmed before they are ready to feed.

Holding them against you, talking to them, walking around or gently rocking might help if they need to be calmed. Most babies like to have their hands free to touch and stroke your breast; this helps to reassure them that they are in the right place.

Read more about getting started with breastfeeding in our article here.

Laid-back position

Sitting upright

Lying down

Underarm or rugby ball

Holding your baby under your arm may be suggested to women who have given birth by caesarean, to avoid pressure on the wound. This position might also be suggested to mothers of twins. However, it can be difficult to maintain this position as the baby's weight is being taken by the mother's hand. Babies soon outgrow this position, and it doesn't allow them to use their instincts and reflexes to attach on to the breast (NHS, 2020; La Leche League, 2022).

Breastfeeding positions for a fast milk flow

If you have a fast milk flow, this could be due to a large supply of breast milk. A fast milk flow can make your baby cough, splutter and come off the breast, which is sometimes similar to reflux symptoms. If they're having problems, it could be that the baby needs more control when they're feeding. If this is the case, laid-back feeding, where the baby is more in control, could be useful as it helps your baby to attach better and pull back if they need to take a break.

Breastfeeding your baby as they grow

As your baby grows, they become more active in getting themselves into position, and they're longer and heavier. So you might need to adjust you and your baby's position to continue to feed comfortably and effectively.

A laid-back breastfeeding position could be useful with larger or older babies as you do not have to use your arms to hold their weight. You can always ask a breastfeeding counsellor for support with finding positions that suit you and your baby.

Breastfeeding position tips

Whichever breastfeeding position you choose, remember...

Get comfortable before you start.

Tuck your baby in closely to you.

Bring your baby to your breast or let them attach themselves rather than leaning towards them.

Avoid putting the breast in your baby's mouth; let them take it in themselves.

Check that their ear, shoulder and hip are all in a line - not twisted round.

If you are bringing your baby to your breast, make sure they are turned towards your breast, with your nipple level with baby's nose - they shouldn't have to turn their head.

Cushions, special breastfeeding pillows and other supports can prevent your baby's body from getting close enough to your body or may raise your baby's body too high for effective attachment. It's best to get your baby attached to the breast, then if support is needed tuck a pillow in under your arm at the point where you are feeling strain from the weight of the baby.

(UNICEF and NHS, 2022)

Many women and babies take a while to get used to breastfeeding and it can take a while to find the position(s) that work best for you. Experimenting with different positions can help you find the ones that work best for you and your baby.
Page last reviewed December 2022.
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.

National Breastfeeding Line (government funded): 0300 100 021.

For further information on how to breastfeed, including positioning and breastfeeding attachment, and a section on expressing your breastmilk by hand, visit Unicef's Baby Friendly Initiative support area for parents.

Bump to Breastfeeding DVD: available from your midwife or library - see more at www.bestbeginnings.org.uk

Coulson S. (2012) Biological nurturing: the laid-back breastfeeding revolution Midwifery today. 101. Available at: https://midwiferytoday.com/mt-articles/biological-nurturing/ [Accessed 7th November 2022]

La Leche League. (2022) Positioning. Available at: https://www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/positioning [Accessed 7th November 2022]

Milinco M, Travan L, Cattaneo A, Knowles A, Sola MV, Causin E, et al. (2020) Effectiveness of biological nurturing on early breastfeeding problems: a randomized controlled trial. Int Breastfeed J. 15(1):21. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-020-00261-4

NHS. (2020) How to breastfeed. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/how-... [Accessed 7th November 2022]

UNICEF; NHS. (2022) Off to the best start. Available at: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/breastfe... [Accessed 25th November 2022]

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Breastfeeding positions: which are best for you? | Baby & toddler, Feeding articles & support | NCT

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Here we provide tips on breastfeeding positions, including laid-back, lying down, sitting upright and underarm positions.

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

1-to-1 support for breastfeeding

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

You can contact your midwife or health visitor between your usual appointments if you need to speak to someone.

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

You should find contact details for your midwife or health visitor in your baby's personal child health record (PCHR), known as their "red book".

Ask them to show you the page when you first get it.

Breastfeeding drop-ins, cafes and centres

Breastfeeding drop-ins, cafes and centres are all great places to make new friends and share the ups and downs of looking after a baby.

There's no need to make an appointment - just go along when you can.

To find out what's available in your area:

talk to your midwife, health visitor or GP

contact the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 (9.30am to 9.30pm, daily)

contact your local council on GOV.UK who can put you in touch with a Sure Start Children's Centre or Family Information Service, as these often have lists of local breastfeeding groups and activities

use the NHS services search to find a breastfeeding drop-in near you

Breastfeeding helplines and websites

Helplines

National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0212

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 0300 330 5453

La Leche League: 0345 120 2918

National Childbirth Trust (NCT): 0300 330 0700

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

Websites

Got a breastfeeding question?

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

How your partner can support breastfeeding

Getting support from a partner can be very helpful when you're breastfeeding.

Practical ways partners can help with breastfeeding include:

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

giving emotional and practical support - praising and encouraging someone who is breastfeeding can help to build their confidence

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

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

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

providing some stress relief - if you have young children, take the stress away from your partner by keeping them entertained when the baby is feeding

getting involved in your baby's care - bathing your baby, changing nappies and helping at bedtime are great ways to get close to your baby

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

Get Start4Life pregnancy and baby emails

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Community content from HealthUnlocked

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

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This is a very common question, especially when you first start breast feeding or you are a first-time mum. Although it is impossible to tell you how much a baby is drinking, there are positive signs which can reassure you that all is well. Poor feeding could be a sign that your baby is unwell.

Baby not waking up on their own or you are unable to wake your baby up for feeds

Baby alert but breathing too fast to feed

Becomes pale, mottled and feels abnormally cold to touch

Blue around the lips

Has a fit/seizure

You need urgent help.

Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999

Change in established pattern of feeding - feeding much less frequently or for a much shorter period of time

Failing to gain weight adequately, static weight or losing weight (most babies lose some weight in the first two weeks of life)

Less wet nappies than before (in the first 48 hours, your baby is likely to have only two or three wet nappies. Wet nappies should become more frequent, with at least six every 24 hours from day five onwards). Tip: It can be hard to tell if disposable nappies are wet. To get an idea, take a nappy and add two to four tablespoons of water - this will give you a better idea of what to look and feel for.

Baby seems drowsy (increasingly sleepy) or irritable (unable to settle despite distraction/feeding)

You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.

Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111

We recognise that during the current COVID-19 crisis, at peak times, access to a health care professional may be delayed. If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, then consider taking them to your nearest ED.

Baby wakes up for feeds on its own and sleeps for 3-4hrs after a feed. In the early weeks, babies may sleep for less than 3 hours; this is normal.

Baby settles following a feed

Baby has a good strong suck and feeds in a calm relaxed way

At the end of the feed, your breasts feel softer and baby is content and comes off the breast on their own

Baby gains weight steadily after the first two weeks (it's normal for babies to lose some of their birth weight in the first two weeks)

At the beginning, your baby will produce a black tar-like poo called meconium. After about five or six days, they should pass at least two soft yellow poos. Breastfed babies' poo is runny and doesn't smell.

Additional advice is also available to young families for coping with crying of well babies - click here.

Self care

Continue providing your child's care at home. If you are still concerned about your child contact your Health Visitor or call NHS 111 - dial 111

Is my baby latching on properly?

Breast feeding is a tricky skill that both mum and babies need to learn together. It is very common for women to experience some discomfort at the beginning of a feed whilst your breasts/nipples adapt to feeding regularly.

If you and your baby are comfortable with breast feeding, then you are doing fine. Signs that the baby is latching well to the breast include your baby holding a large mouthful of the breast, taking long sucks with pauses from time to time and coming off the breast feeling content at the end of a feed. Your breast or nipple should not feel sore afterwards.

Occasionally, a baby may be unable to open their mouth wide enough to latch on to the breast properly because they have a tongue tie. Click here for more information.

Click here for more information about breast feeding positions and latching on.

Thing that can affect your milk supply

Generally speaking, the more your baby feeds - the more breast milk you will produce. However, if you're worried that your baby isn't getting enough milk, talk to your midwife, health visitor or a breast feeding specialist as soon as possible. With their help and advice, you'll be able to identify the problem and find a solution.

Things that could affect your milk supply include:

Sore nipples

Feeding by the clock

Topping up with formula milk

Tongue tie

Dummies

Being apart from your baby

Medication

How to increase you breast milk?

If you feel you need to boost your milk supply, there are a few ways that you can do this:

Try not to give your baby anything other than breast milk. The more you breast feed your baby, the more you'll produce.

If you want to give your baby a dummy, try to wait a few weeks - or until you are both comfortable and confident with breastfeeding.

Let your baby feed when they want to, for as long as they need to. Don't clock watch.

When you're feeding, offer both breasts - remember to switch breasts each feed.

Holding your baby close, especially skin-to-skin, will help increase your milk supply.

Avoid weaning until your baby is ready - this is usually around six months.

If you are doing all these things already but you're still concerned you have a low milk supply, ask your midwife to refer you to a breast feeding specialist. Feeding specialists are very understanding and will be able to have a look at how your baby's feeding and offer practical advice, help and support.

Expressing and storing breast milk

Expressing milk means extracting milk out of your breasts (using a breast pump or hand expressing) so you can store it and feed it to your baby at a later time.

There are some really good reasons why you might need to feed your baby expressed breast milk:

If your baby is premature, they may not be able to feed at the breast but could still get much of the goodness through receiving expressed breast milk.

Returning to work or study, someone else can feed them your expressed breast milk.

If your breasts feel uncomfortably full (engorged) or your baby can't latch on properly for some reason.

However, if you do feed your baby expressed breast milk, it is important you adhere to strict advice with regards to hygiene and methods involved. Here is the link to all you need know about Expressing Breast Milk and storing it.

What you should and shouldn't eat if you're breast feeding:

Click here for some tips on what you should be eating if you're breast feeding.

And more importantly, here is some information on food that you should be avoiding where possible.

Alcohol and breastfeeding:

While it's safer not to drink any alcohol whilst breast feeding, an occasional alcoholic drink (i.e. 1 or 2 units once or twice a week) is unlikely to harm your baby.
Click here for more information
Should I take vitamins during breast feeding?

If you are breast feeding, a balanced diet will provide most vitamins you need. However, you should consider a vitamin D supplement due to the lack of sunshine most of the year in the UK.

Click here for more information.

Breast feeding support:

There is a lot of help and support available for breastfeeding in the community close to where you live. You can talk to your midwife, health visitor or contact any of the breast feeding support services listed below:

Online help:

Local help:

National organisations:

National Breast Feeding Helpline 03001000212 (9:30am to 9:30pm daily)

Association of Breast Feeding Mothers - Telephone: 03003305453

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This is a very common question, especially when you first start breast feeding or you are a first-time mum. Although it is impossible to tell you how much a baby is drinking, there are positive signs which can reassure you that all is well. Poor feeding could be a sign that your baby is unwell.

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Evidence based information on breastfeeding and breastfeeding difficulties

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Evidence based information on breastfeeding and breastfeeding difficulties

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This does not and should not replace medical advice from your registered health care professional.

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Breastfeeding Support - Breastfeeding tips, tricks & support

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Breastfeeding Support is an evidence-based website sharing helpful breastfeeding resources and promoting good breastfeeding practice.

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https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/05/CV19-Illness-in-New-Born-Babies-01-06-20.pdf

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https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/expressing-storing-breast-milk/

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Expressing and storage guidelines

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A guide to how much your baby may need.

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Combining breast and bottle - any amount of breast milk is good for your baby

https://www.nct.org.uk/parenting/mixed-feeding-combining-breast-and-bottle-feeding

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When it comes to feeding their baby, some parents decide to exclusively breastfeed and some to exclusively formula feed. Many families decide to combine breastfeeding and formula feeding; this often called combination feeding or mixed feeding (NHS, 2019).

What is mixed feeding?

Mixed feeding usually means mixing breast and bottle feeding. The content of the bottle can be either breastmilk or formula milk.

Watch our video to find out more about mixed/combination feeding.

Why do some families combination feed?

You might start mixed feeding for a variety of reasons.

If you and your baby have some difficulties getting breastfeeding established or if there are concerns about your baby's weight, you might be advised to give some formula feeds alongside breastfeeding.

You might need to leave your baby for periods of time (for example, if you are returning to work).

Your partner might want to be involved with feeding.

You might be bottle feeding and want to start or resume breastfeeding.

It can be helpful to talk to a breastfeeding counsellor, a midwife or health visitor about your options and the potential impact on breastfeeding of mixed feeding (see below). You could also call our infant feeding line on 0300 330 0700.

How do I combine bottle feeding and breastfeeding?

Some families choose to express milk and feed it to their babies through a bottle. They might do this if someone else would like to feed the baby or if the mum has to be away from their baby for a while.

Others choose to substitute some breastfeeds for formula. If you want to do this, you and your baby will adjust more easily if you reduce the number of feeds gradually (NHS, 2019).

You can offer formula feeds before, during, after or instead of a breastfeed. Talk to your midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding counsellor about this, as different options will suit different circumstances. And will also depend on what you wish to achieve ultimately.

There are some cases when formula might be given before a breastfeed (for example, with babies who are not breastfeeding well). In other cases, the formula feed might be given instead of a breastfeed. This might happen if you're not with your baby and can't breastfeed or if someone else is sharing the feeding.

Gradually cutting down breastfeeding reduces the chance of your breasts becoming uncomfortably engorged. It will also reduce your risk of developing mastitis (NHS, 2019). It helps to reduce the number of breastfeeds slowly, starting with the one which is convenient for you (NHS, 2020). If you substitute a breastfeed with a formula feed, it may take around five to seven days for the amount of milk your breasts are producing to adjust to missing that one feed (NHS, 2017).

If you 'top up' with formula during one or more feeds, rather than replacing an entire feed, this is likely to extend the gap between breastfeeds. It will also signal to your breasts to make less milk (NHS, 2020).

On the other hand, if you've been advised to 'top up' as a temporary measure and want to return to exclusive breastfeeding, it is important to express milk between feeds to prevent a decrease in the amount of milk you make (NICE, 2017). Try and feed your baby any available breastmilk before each formula feed.

What effect will combining breastfeeding and formula feeding have?

Your baby will enjoy the benefits of breastmilk, even if you're not exclusively breastfeeding. For instance, they will still gain some of the antibodies that will protect them against infection (NHS, 2019).

If you want to feed your baby with both breastmilk and formula milk, it is recommended to wait until feeding is firmly established before introducing a bottle (NHS, 2019). This can take up to a month (La Leche League, 2019).

It's best to wait until breastfeeding is established because breastmilk supply is generally driven by frequent, effective removal of milk from the breasts. Giving your baby formula reduces your milk supply, which is particularly important when you are both getting used to breastfeeding. If your baby breastfeeds less often, your breasts produce less milk (Daly and Hartmann, 1995).

You might have heard that babies can get 'nipple confusion' but there is no evidence that this exists (Kotowski et al, 2020).

How many breastfeeds does an older combination-fed baby need?

Older babies, beyond the newborn stage, can maintain your breastmilk supply alongside formula feeding as long as you breastfeed several times a day. Much older babies - from eight or nine months - can breastfeed just a handful of times a day, and there is still a supply.

Very well-established breastfeeding, with a baby who is one year or older, can continue with as few as one or two feeds in 24 hours.

If your baby is over six months they can use a beaker or cup rather than a bottle (NHS, 2020).

Tips to introduce a bottle to a breastfed baby

You might find your baby does not want to take a bottle at first. The different sensations may confuse them and they don't know the bottle contains food. But there are lots of different things you can try to help your baby:

Offer a bottle when your baby is relaxed and happy, rather than very hungry.

Maybe ask someone else to offer a bottle so they can't smell their mother's milk.

Try softening the teat with warm, boiled water.

Hold your baby in a different position from their usual breastfeeding one. It might help your baby get used to the new way of feeding.

Try a different bottle or teat, this might make a difference.

(La Leche League, 2019)

Unicef (2016) recommend feeding responsively, which means following your baby's cues, whether breastfeeding or bottle feeding. They also recommend using paced bottle feeding. The way a baby is fed with the bottle can affect their comfort, their control of the amount of milk they drink, and the transition between breast and bottle (Kotowski et al, 2020).

Tips for paced bottle feeding

Hold your baby upright, close to your body. (If your baby is lying back, they are less able to control how much milk they swallow, so they can overfeed.)

Touch the teat against the baby's top lip to encourage them to pull it into their mouth.

Hold the bottle horizontal, so that when the baby is actively sucking, they get milk and when the baby is pausing, they don't get milk.

Give the baby several breaks by removing the bottle from their mouth.

Watch what the baby is doing, rather than how much milk they have drunk. End the feed when the baby is no longer drinking.

(UNICEF, 2016; La Leche League, 2019)

This all helps to build a close, loving relationship, a responsive feeding relationship, and avoids overfeeding your baby.

Where can I go for breastfeeding support?

If you have questions, concerns or need support, you can speak to one of our breastfeeding counsellors by calling our infant feeding line 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.

Further information

Healthtalkonline.org has a comprehensive library of face-to-face interviews where parents share their experiences about breastfeeding, birth, parenting and many other issues.

Best Beginnings has video clips from the 'Bump to Breastfeeding' DVD.

UNICEF have produced a summary guide for parents on how to responsively bottle feed babies.

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Mixed feeding: combining breastfeeding and bottle feeding | Baby & toddler, Feeding articles & support | NCT

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When it comes to feeding their baby, some parents decide to exclusively breastfeed and some to exclusively formula feed. Many families decide to combine breastfeeding and formula feeding; this often called combination feeding or mixed feeding (NHS, 2019). Mixed feeding usually means mixing breast and bottle feeding.

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Increasing/maximising your breast milk supply

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Increasing/maximising your breast milk supply

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Infant Milks - First Steps Nutrition Trust

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Whether you're a health worker or a parent or carer, First Steps Nutrition Trust focuses on providing clear advice and information around the safe use of infant milks in the UK.

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Types of Infant Milks on the market in the UK.  If you decide to formula feed, "stage 1" infant formula or "from birth" is all the milk they will need for the 1st 6 months and up to 12 months alongside complementary foods.

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Types of Infant Milks on the market in the UK.  If you decide to formula feed, "stage 1" infant formula or "from birth" is all the milk they will need for the 1st 6 months and up to 12 months alongside complementary foods.

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INFANT MILK INFORMATION | Types of infant milks on the UK market

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we provide information about the types of infant milks on the UK market and for infant formula, follow-on formula and infant milks marketed

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Preparing infant formula and sterilising bottles

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Preparing infant formula and sterilising bottles

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TAMBA Twins and Multiple Babies Association

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TAMBA Twins and Multiple Babies Association

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Feeding mulitples

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Twins Trust - We support twins, triplets and more...

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We're still here for you...We're changing how we work so we can keep supporting you and your families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Feeding your baby on the neonatal unit can be different to what you had planned, but you can still find the best way of feeding for you and your baby. Find out more here.

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Expressing Milk for your baby in the Neonatal Unit 

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Expressing Milk for your baby in the Neonatal Unit 

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ICON website, support for parents; babies cry, you can cope.

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ICON website, support for parents; babies cry, you can cope.

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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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Scroll down to find what you're interested in

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Scroll down to find what you're interested in

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For the best experience on a mobile device, download the Padlet App for Android or Apple.

1. Pregnancy

2. Bonding with your baby

3. Antenatal hand expression of colostrum

4. How babies sleep

5. What's feeding a new baby really like?

6. Can I breastfeed if I'm taking medication?

7. LBGTQ support

8. Foreign language resources

9. Donor Milk

10. Infant Feeding Support

11. Birth

12. Breastfeeding

13. Expressing/pumping

14. Combination Feeding

15. Infant Formula Feeding

16. Feeding multiples

17. Feeding your premature or poorly baby

18. NHS 0 - 18 Information

19. Illness in the newborn baby

20. Parenting advice and support

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You could also use a clean, airtight food container to store your syringes.

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Contact numbers for University Hospitals Dorset

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Contact numbers for University Hospitals Dorset

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MATERNITY ADVICE LINE LINE – 0300 369 0388

Poole Community Midwifery Team 0300 019 2692

Bournemouth Community Midwifery Team 0300 019 4434

Antenatal Day Assessment 0300 019 8472

Haven Birthing Suite 0300 019 8509

Labour Ward 0300 019 2214

Infant Feeding Team : +44 7789 849 327

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healthier together, wessex, what0-18, nhs, home, worried about my child, parent support tool, pregnancy, child, children, young people, professional, parent, carer

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Need to borrow a breast pump?  Useful local contacts...

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Need to borrow a breast pump?  Useful local contacts...

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This technique involves expressing colostrum in the final few weeks of pregnancy. It can also be referred to as 'colostrum harvesting' and is advocated by some NHS Trusts.

Mothers are normally advised to wait until around 36 weeks before starting antenatal expression. Mums who are having multiple births may sometimes start sooner as giving birth earlier is more likely.
Why do it?
For some mothers, it can be a useful tool that helps ensure their baby will start life without the need for formula supplementation. The importance of exclusive breastfeeding for all babies has been well-established by scientific research.

Colostrum contains vital immunological properties and helps to colonise the baby's gut with healthy bacteria that protect against allergy and disease.

It also contains the perfect balance of proteins, fats and micronutrients needed for human babies as well as acting as a laxative to help the passing of the first tarry meconium stools.

Some babies may experience difficulties with feeding or maintaining their blood sugar levels during the first few days after birth and therefore may require supplementary feeds.

These include babies:

whose mother had diabetes in pregnancy or who has a history of diabetes.

with a cleft lip or palate identified during pregnancy.

with congenital conditions e.g. Down syndrome or cardiac complications.

diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction.

whose mother is taking beta blockers to control high blood pressure.

who are twins or triplets.

Where there is a family history of cow's milk protein sensitivity or type 1 diabetes, families may be particularly keen to avoid the use of early formula supplementation.

Some women may need to consider supplementing feeds from an early stage if there are concerns over their ability to make and/or secrete milk.

These include women:

who have a breast hypoplasia (limited breast development).

who have had previous breast surgery.

It is important for a mother to discuss her plans to express antenatally with her healthcare provider. It may not be recommended if you've been at risk of preterm labour in previous pregnancies, or have a surgical stitch, for example.

It is recommended to express antenatally by hand rather than use an electric or manual breast pump. Colostrum will be produced in quite small quantities and can easily stick to the bottles or pump parts and be harder to collect. A pump at this stage is likely to be more uncomfortable than gentle hands. Try hand expressing for a few minutes, 2 or 3 times a day.

If you hand express and use a syringe to draw up the individual drips of colostrum, you can use these syringes for storage prior to birth. Your health care provider may be able to supply you with sterile syringes.
How to hand express:

Always wash your hands before expressing.

Applying a warm compress to your breast or expressing after a warm bath or shower can help the flow of colostrum.

Get yourself comfortable. Perhaps seated and leaning slightly forward but find what works best for you.

Start with a gentle breast massage, stroking from the back of your breast towards the nipple to encourage the let-down reflex.

Put your thumb above the nipple and your first few fingers below the nipple. You will be cupping the breast in a 'C' shape.

With your thumb and fingers, feel a few centimetres back from the nipple.

Press back towards your chest, then compress (press your fingers together), and release.

Repeat this process, building up a rhythm. Press, compress, release.

It may be useful to look online for videos of hand expression techniques.

Colostrum should start to arrive drop by drop. Initially it may just be a glisten on the end of your nipple, and it may take a few days of practice before drops appear.

Collect the colostrum into a clean container, like a syringe (1ml or 2ml syringe). If nothing happens, adjust your finger position slightly to find the spot that works for you. Try not to pinch your nipple or slide your fingers uncomfortably over the skin.

Rotate the position of your fingers and thumb around the areola (imagine a clock face) and repeat the expressing process to stimulate and remove colostrum from different parts of your breast.

Express each breast twice during each session.

Colostrum can vary in appearance. Sometimes it may appear quite thick and yellow or orange and at other times paler and thinner. Expressing colostrum antenatally will not decrease or increase your milk supply after baby is born.
Storage of human breast milk
Colostrum can be collected two to three times each day in the same syringe. You will need to store the syringe in the fridge between uses.

At the end of the collecting day, the colostrum can be frozen - place the syringe into a zip-lock bag before putting into the freezer. Label the syringe and bag (separately) with the date and time of when you expressed.

The frozen colostrum can be stored for up to six months in the freezer. Once thawed, it should be used within 24 hours.
Is it safe?
The oxytocin hormone released when expressing, stimulates the uterus. Opinions differ on whether expressing colostrum antenatally is likely to induce labour. Those who advocate it do not believe that expressing would constitute sufficient stimulation to start labour. Sex while pregnant and breastfeeding through pregnancy both release oxytocin and both are generally considered safe while pregnant. If you experience any cramping in your uterus however, you should stop expressing and discuss your choice with your healthcare provider.
Transporting your frozen colostrum
You can take syringes of frozen colostrum into hospital using a freezer block and insulated bag. The colostrum can be defrosted under a running warm tap or at room temperature.

It's a good idea to mention your colostrum stores on your birth plan and make sure staff are aware in advance of your wishes in certain situations. The hospital may have access to a freezer for storage once you arrive.

After the birth, breastfeeding should usually be unrestricted. Ideally, a baby should feed successfully at the breast and the antenatally expressed colostrum would remain unused.

If your baby is experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding at this time, you may be encouraged to express some fresh colostrum to give to your baby. You may also use any colostrum you have brought into hospital with you in preference to using any formula.

If harvested colostrum ends up being 'wasted' because you are able to establish early exclusive breastfeeding, this is a cause for celebration rather than commiseration!

The process of antenatal expressing however, gives you a back-up if things don't go to plan which many families find reassuring. You'll also start your breastfeeding with a good sense of how to hand express and confidence about how your breasts work.

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Expressing your milk before your baby arrives - ABM

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Antenatal expressing is expressing colostrum in the final few weeks of pregnancy. Find out if it could be a useful tool for you.