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Tips to help keep you comfortable and meet your baby's needs when breastfeeding in hot weather.

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Breastfeeding in hot weather | Australian Breastfeeding Association

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Tips for breastfeeding in hot weather: keep baby cool, hydrated, and comfortable during summer heat

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NHS guidance on feeding your baby and keeping them healthy in the sun

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Babies and young children can become ill in very hot weather. Get NHS information on out how to prevent dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and sunburn.

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Keeping your baby safe and comfortable when sleeping or travelling in the heat

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When the weather’s hot or you’re on holiday, these tips help keep your baby safe and comfortable this summer, reducing the risk of SIDS…

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General information and tips on looking after your baby in hot weather

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Can babies go out outside in hot weather?

Going for a walk or spending time outside, especially in nature, is good for a parent's mental health. It can also help babies get used to the difference between day and night.

Just remember that babies and young children are more sensitive to the sun than adults, and extra care should be taken (NHS, 2022a).

Newborn sun safety

Under the age of six months, babies shouldn't be exposed to direct sunlight (NHS, 2024).

Do (NHS, 2024a):

keep young babies in the shade

dress them in lightweight clothing

shade the buggy with a parasol

if using a sling, the baby needs a broad brimmed hat

Don't (NHS, 2024a):

use a blanket or muslin to cover the buggy as it can make it too hot underneath

put sunscreen on a baby under six months, instead just keep them in the shade

Sunscreen and sun safety over 6 months

Being in strong sunlight frequently could lead to skin cancer in the future (NHS, 2022a). All skin tones are at risk of sunburn and skin cancer. Those with fair or red hair and pale white or light brown skin are most at risk (NHS, 2022a).

When babies are over six months, they can wear sunscreen. Remember to (NHS, 2024a):

use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 50

make sure it protects against both UVA and UVB rays

opt for a brand specifically for babies and young children, as these are less likely to contain additives which might irritate skin

reapply at least every two hours, and after swimming or sweating a lot

Even if wearing sunscreen, it's still important to (NHS, 2024a; NHS, 2022a):

dress them in lightweight clothing

keep them out of the direct sun as much as possible, especially during the hottest part of the day between 11am and 3pm

use a sunhat to protect their head and neck

use sunglasses to protect their eyes, marked with the CE or BS standards

use a parasol on the buggy, rather than covering with a muslin or blanket

check on them regularly to make sure they're not getting too hot

Treating sunburn

If skin does get sunburnt (NHS, 2022a):

sponge with cool water

apply a soothing aftersun lotion or spray, such as aloe vera

stay out of the sun until the redness has gone

infant paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken to ease pain

Seek medical help if the baby seems unwell, or the skin swells or blisters (NHS, 2022a).

Keeping a baby hydrated

It's especially important that babies have plenty of drinks in hot weather (NHS, 2024a). We also have an article on watching out for dehydration in babies.

Newborn babies

Breastfed babies who aren't yet eating solid food don't need water to drink, but might want to breastfeed more often.

Babies who only have formula milk can be offered small amounts of cooled boiled water, as well as their usual milk feeds.

Babies over six months old

Once babies start having solid food, they can have water in a beaker or cup.

Breastmilk or formula milk should still be their main drink.

When a baby has started on solid food you can include water-rich foods like cucumber or watermelon.

Read more information in our article about when babies can have water to drink.

Heat rash shows up a few days after sweat glands getting blocked (NHS, 2024b).

Heat rash can appear anywhere on the body, and can cause (NHS, 2024b):

small, raised spots

an itchy, prickly feeling

swelling

redness on white skin, or can appear grey or white on Black or Brown skin

It won't usually do any harm and should go away after a few days. If it doesn't or you're worried, you can check with a GP (NHS, 2024b).

In the meantime, avoid irritating the rash by keeping the skin cool (NHS, 2024b):

cool skin with a cool, damp cloth

pat rather than scratch or rub the skin

avoid using fragranced soaps or lotions

A pharmacist might suggest a soothing lotion or antihistamines if the rash is uncomfortable (NHS, 2024b). Prevent heat rash by keeping the baby cool.

Tips to keep a baby cool

General tips (NHS, 2024a; NHS, 2022b; Gov.uk, 2024):

offer frequent drinks, especially if the baby is active

dress babies in light, loose clothing, or even just a nappy

try a bath with cool water before bedtime

if carrying them in a sling, use one with lightweight fabric and remember the baby is receiving your body heat as well

there may be local public places which are cooler than home - consider the library, an indoor shopping centre, or a shady park.

When babies are outside:

keep them out of the direct sun between 11am and 3pm

cool them down in a paddling or swimming pool, always with an adult supervising

never leave a baby in a parked car, as it can get hot very quickly

At home:

use a thermometer to check the baby's room is between 16 and 20 degrees

keep windows open at night if it is safe to do so

close windows and blinds or curtains to prevent the room heating up during the day

if it's safe, keep doors open to help the air move

use a fan to move the air, but don't aim it at the baby as this could dehydrate them quicker

turn off electrical equipment and lights that could add to the room heat

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke

If a baby gets too hot in the sun, it might cause heat exhaustion. Babies and children are more at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke (NHS, 2022b).

A baby might have heat exhaustion if they (NHS, 2022b):

seem tired or dizzy

are being sick

are sweating a lot

have pale and clammy skin, which can be harder to see on Black or Brown skin

have a heat rash

have a high temperature

seem very thirsty

are breathing fast

have a fast heartbeat

seem irritable

If this happens, take the baby to a shady or cool place out of the sun and give them drinks. Remove extra layers and spray or sponge them with cool water if possible (NHS, 2022b).

When the baby can be cooled down within 30 minutes, they don't need medical help. If you're unsure or want advice, you can call 111 (NHS, 2022b).

Heat stroke happens when someone can't cool down. In this case, they might (NHS, 2022b):

still seem unwell even after 30 minutes of being cooled

have a very high temperature

have hot skin that's not sweating

appear red (this can be harder to see on Black or Brown skin)

have a fast heartbeat

be breathing fast, or seem short of breath

seem confused

have a fit or seizure

lose consciousness

Get immediate medical help for heatstroke by going to the Emergency Department or calling 999 (NHS, 2022b).

Should we get an air conditioner?

Some parents consider buying an air conditioning unit to keep the baby's room cool. Bear in mind that these units remove moisture from the air, and because air conditioning reduces sweating it can mean we don't feel thirsty, even when dehydrated.

So, if you decide to use one:

keep offering fluids

keep the settings on fan-only, to move the air

if using the cooling function, set a temperature just lower than the room, rather than very cool (this reduces the amount of water removed from the air)

take breaks by using it little and often, rather than constantly

turn it off at night if the windows can be opened

maintain the room humidity with a humidifier or damp towel

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It's possible to enjoy the sun with a newborn or baby, but before heading out there are a few things to be aware of. Read our hot weather guide.

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We are moving from paper vouchers to the Healthy Start card. We will send the last paper vouchers out on the week starting the 7th March. You can still use any valid vouchers to get free vitamins.

Why you should get your free Healthy Start vitamins

Young children may not get enough vitamin A and D even if they are eating well. If you are pregnant and breastfeeding you may not get enough vitamin C or D or folic acid.

You can use your Healthy Start card to get these important vitamins for free. These come as NHS Healthy Start tablets and drops for children.

They do not contain milk, egg, gluten, soya or peanut residues. They're suitable for vegetarians and halal diets.

You can get the vitamin tablets while you're pregnant and up to your baby's 1st birthday. They contain:

folic acid which lowers the chance of babies having spinal problems

vitamin C which helps the body's soft tissue

vitamin D which helps babies' bones to develop properly

Children can take vitamin drops if they:

are less than 4 years old

have less than 500ml (about one pint) of infant formula a day - as formula already has vitamins added to it

Healthy Start vitamins come as an 8-week supply of:

56 tablets (a daily dose of 1 tablet)

280 drops (a daily dose of 5 drops)

You or your children should not take more than the recommended amount.

Find out more about the vitamins you and your baby need and why (opens in a new tab).

How to get free vitamins if you live in England

Ask your midwife or health visitor where to get your free vitamins.

You can also find who stocks Healthy Start vitamins in your local area (opens in a new tab).

To collect your free vitamins, you'll have to show your Healthy Start card or vouchers.

How to get free vitamins if you live in Wales

You can collect free vitamins at your local health board. You will need to show your Healthy Start card or vouchers.

How to get free vitamins if you live in Northern Ireland and have a Healthy Start card

If you are eligible, we will send you a letter explaining how to request your free vitamins. We will check your request and send your order to the Business Services Organisation (opens in a new tab) in Northern Ireland. They will then post the vitamins to you.

How to get free vitamins if you live in Northern Ireland and have valid paper vouchers

Put your vitamin vouchers and the Healthy Start letter that comes with them in an envelope. Send the envelope to:

Business Services Organisation
Healthy Start vitamin scheme
Pinewood Villa
73 Loughgall Road
Armagh
BT61 7PR

The Business Services Organisation (opens in a new tab) will then post the vitamins to you.

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We are moving from paper vouchers to the Healthy Start card. We will send the last paper vouchers out on the week starting the 7th March. You can still use any valid vouchers to get free vitamins. Young children may not get enough vitamin A and D even if they are eating well.

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Download your free comprehensive guide here: https://www.stw-lmns.com/nspcc-form

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Speak to a Healthy Lifestyles Advisor - Healthy Telford

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Telford's friendly Healthy Lifestyle Advisors can support you make the change in your life that you always wanted to make. For free and confidentially.

Telford's Healthy Lifestyles Advisors

Healthy Lifestyle Advisors can help you live a healthier life, do more of the things you want to do, and generally improve how you feel.

With personalised one to one support from our Healthy Lifestyles Advisors, you can achieve those goals.

Our advisors have helped thousands of people to live healthier using their expertise and knowledge of local support.

Help to live a healthier life

We are here to help you if you a looking to:

eat better

drink less

exercise more

reduce your weight

improve for your wellbeing

lower your blood pressure and cholesterol

reduce risk of developing type 2 diabetes

Tink, one of our Healthy Lifestyle Advisors, explains what will happen when you meet an advisor in this video.

Help to stop smoking

We have specialist Healthy Lifestyle Advisors who focus on helping people to quit smoking.

Catherine, one of Stop Smoking Advisors, explains what will happens when you contact the service to stop smoking.

How do I access a Healthy Lifestyle Advisor?

If you live or work in Telford and Wrekin, the Healthy Lifestyles team are here to support you for free and confidentially.

Email: healthylifestyles@telford.gov.uk

Telephone: 01952 382582

Support consists of 6 structured one-to-one appointments over 12 weeks. Appointments are currently held via telephone or video call due to Coronavirus.

Please note that our Healthy Lifestyle Advisors and Practitioners are not clinically trained and offer only healthy lifestyle advice and support.

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Speak to a Healthy Lifestyles Advisor - Healthy Telford

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Telford's friendly Healthy Lifestyle Advisors can support you make the change in your life that you always wanted to make. For free and confidentially. Healthy Lifestyle Advisors can help you live a healthier life, do more of the things you want to do, and generally improve how you feel.

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Including bonding, medicines, food and alcohol.

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Breastfeeding Network Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin

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https://padlet.com/BfNShropshire/multilingual_infantfeeding

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Telford & Wrekin In-Person Support Groups

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Telford & Wrekin In-Person Support Groups

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Brookside - Monday (term time only) 9:30-11:00 @ Brookside Centre (Community Centre), TF3 1LP

Randlay - Tuesday 10:00-12:00 @ Randlay Community Centre, TF3 2LH

Newport - Wednesday 10:00-12:00 @ Newport Rugby Club, TF10 8BU

Woodside - Thursday (term time only) 9:30-12:00 @ Walnut Family Hub, Park Lane Centre, TF7 5QZ

For news and updates on our groups please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BreastfeedingNetworkShropshire

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Breastfeeding Network Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin

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Breastfeeding Network Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin. 183 likes · 3 talking about this. Breastfeeding peer support across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin

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Every day mothers panic and end breastfeeding or start using formula and there is not an underlying problem with their milk supply.

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Hand expression video - Baby Friendly Initiative

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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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Reflux and Breastfeeding - The Breastfeeding Network

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This information can also be viewed as a PDF by clicking here. The information provided is taken from various reference sources. It is provided as a guideline. No responsibility can be taken by the author or the Breastfeeding Network for the way in which the information is used. Clinical decisions remain the responsibility of medical […]

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This page gives you some tips on how to hand express and store your breastmilk. It also answers some frequently asked questions on this topic.

You might be thinking of returning to work, or study, or planning a night out. It can also help relieve pressure from a blocked duct or mastitis. Expressing small amounts of colostrum before your baby is born can help give your baby extra milk in the first few days.

Please also refer to our downloadable leaflet on Expressing and Storing Breastmilk.

If you will be exclusively expressing (feeding only expressed breastmilk), whether for just a few days or longer, you might like to read our blog post on this.

Note: If your baby has been ill or was born prematurely please discuss this information with your health professional to check that the storage times apply. This is especially important if you are bringing your colostrum or milk into hospital for your baby.

Your breastmilk

Can be expressed by hand, by hand pump or by electric pump. Once you know how, hand expressing is easy and needs little equipment.

Contains anti-infective ingredients that limit the growth of unwanted bacteria.

Should still be handled and stored carefully to stop unwanted bacteria from getting into your milk and growing.

Stays at the highest quality when stored in a fridge, particularly when running at 4°C or below. Note: some fridges run higher at 5-10°C - if you don't know the temperature of your fridge assume it is running at this higher temperature.

Can be frozen, which affects some (but by no means all) of the nutrients and anti-infective ingredients of breastmilk.

Expressing breastmilk

When you first start to express it is common to get only a few drops of milk. As with breastfeeding, the more you practice, the easier it gets. Expressing at a different time of day may work better for you.

When might I need to express?

Before your baby is born - you may be advised that your baby might need extra milk when they are born. You can express and store your first milk (colostrum) from 36 to 37 weeks gestation. You can read more about this here.

In the first few days - if your baby is sleepy, or to help them attach and feed.

For both these stages your midwife will give you small oral syringes to collect your milk. These are usually 1ml to begin with.

Use the ideas in this leaflet to discover what works for you. Colostrum usually starts in tiny droplets and is often sticky - having help to collect these drops in the syringe can be useful.

Aim to express twice a day from 36-37 weeks for no more than 10 minutes, freezing the same day.

Once your baby is born, express as needed aiming to stimulate your breasts at least 8 times a day including once overnight through direct breastfeeding or expressing as this will increase your milk supply to meet your baby's needs and can help you feel more comfortable.

Hand Expressing

Once your milk is flowing, you will need a wide mouthed container like a sterile plastic pot or container that is well-cleaned and scalded with boiling water - a jug is ideal - so get this ready before you start.

Remember to wash your hands first.

Find somewhere comfortable to relax, then to help your milk to flow (let down) you might:

Relax with a warm drink, music or TV.

Have your baby close, or look at a photograph, clothing or toy to remind you of your baby.

Warm your breasts in a bath, shower or using warm flannels and practice expressing.

Try some ways to gently massage your whole breast, working from the outside toward your nipple.

Take care not to drag your skin:

Stroke with your fingertips

Roll using your knuckles.

Try using circular movements.

Make a 'C' shape by placing your thumb above and your fingers below your breast 2-3 centimetres back from your nipple

Gently press your thumb and fingers together, release your fingers and repeat in a rhythmic movement.

Sometimes pressing inwards back towards your chest wall as you squeeze helps. You may need to experiment with how far back from your nipple to squeeze - everyone is slightly different.

When the milk flow slows, re-position your fingers and thumb (as if moving them around a clock face), then express another area of your breast.

Try to express all areas of your breast and alternate between breasts.

See this video on hand expressing from UNICEF for more ideas.

Good hygiene is very important:

Always wash your hands before expressing and handling breastmilk and ask others giving expressed milk to do the same.

Always use a sterile container with a lid, not the collection jug, to store your breastmilk. You can buy disposable containers. Take care with plastic bags that can puncture easily.

Try to use a different storage container each time you collect milk. If necessary, newly collected milk may be cooled and added to previously stored milk on the same day only.

Label the storage containers or syringes with your name, breastmilk, time and date and put inside a clean sealed bag or box before storing. Name and date the bag too.

Store your breastmilk in the fridge or freezer as soon as possible.

Store away from meat products, eggs or any uncooked foods. Store at the back of the fridge and not in the door.

Storing expressed breastmilk

How long can I keep my breastmilk at room temperature if a fridge is not available?

If your breastmilk is freshly expressed it will keep for 6 hours without refrigeration, either at home or away from home. See 'travelling with breastmilk' section below for more details.
If your baby has been ill or was born prematurely please discuss this with your health professional to check that the same storage times apply.
How long can I store breastmilk in the fridge?

You can store your breastmilk for up to 3 days where you don't know the temperature, or it runs between 5-10°C.

Breastmilk can be stored for 5 days in a fridge running at 4°C or lower.*
*One study has shown fresh breastmilk can be used for up to 8 days when the fridge temperature is kept stable at 4°C or below.

If the fridge temperature goes above 4°C during this time, use your milk within 6 hours or throw away.

If you can't use a fridge at 4°C, try using a cool bag or box with deep frozen ice packs (changed every 24 hours). Protect your milk from direct contact with the ice packs or it may freeze - try wrapping the ice packs in kitchen towel. The bag can also be used to carry milk.

The lower the storage temperature, the longer expressed breastmilk can be stored. The storage temperatures given here include a degree of caution so that your milk remains safe for your baby.

If you wish to store your breastmilk for longer than 5 days, freeze as soon as you can after expressing.
If taking colostrum or milk into hospital follow their storage and transport times. REMEMBER: The more often the fridge door is opened, the more likely the temperature will rise. Try to check the temperature of every fridge (or cool bag) used for storing your milk each time you use it. If the fridge has no built in thermometer, use a fridge thermometer which can be bought cheaply from kitchenware stores.
How long can I store breastmilk in the freezer?

Breastmilk can be stored in a freezer at -18°C for up to six months.

You can store breastmilk in the ice compartment of a fridge for two weeks.

Safe Storage of breastmilk in the home

This table aims to provide a guide to how long you can store breastmilk for a full term baby with no additional health concerns.

Why are there variations in recommendations for storing expressed breastmilk?

More information about this can be found at the bottom of this page.

Please note that previous versions of our leaflet are still available in our shop and the information is still correct, noting the above.

Feeding baby expressed breastmilk

What happens if my baby doesn't take all of one bottle? Can I put it back in the fridge or on the side use it again?

Once the baby has drunk from a bottle of expressed milk it should be used up within an hour or thrown away. To avoid wasting your expressed breastmilk it is best to offer the baby only a little (e.g. 30ml) at a time until you know your baby's pattern. You can do this by keeping most of it in one container, in the fridge, and using it to top up the baby's bottle a little at a time.

Defrosting frozen breastmilk

How do I defrost my milk?

Ideally, defrost frozen breastmilk in the fridge. This milk should be used once fully defrosted which usually takes about 12 hours. If your breastmilk is still frozen after this time or you need to use it quickly, try defrosting under cool, then warm, running water. Dry the outside of the container with kitchen paper before use and use immediately. If you frequently find your milk is frozen after 12 hours in the fridge, try to freeze in smaller quantities.

How long can I keep defrosted breastmilk?

Defrosted breastmilk should be used straight away once it has fully defrosted. Throw away any unused milk.

Why can't I defrost breastmilk in a microwave?

Breastmilk should not be defrosted in the microwave because it heats unevenly, destroying antibodies and nutrients. There is also a risk of scalds and the milk would need to be left at room temperature before use.

Travelling with expressed breastmilk

How do I bring my milk home, which I have expressed at work or elsewhere?

Try to use a cool bag for transportation and put the milk in the fridge once you are home.

Fresh breastmilk can be transported within 24 hours provided storage temperatures are maintained using an insulated box or bag and deep frozen ice-packs, and total storage and transportation times do not exceed the recommended storage times.

Previously refrigerated breastmilk can be kept cool (10°C or below) for up to 24 hours when in a well-insulated bag with deep-frozen ice-packs. Take care not to freeze your milk by wrapping the ice-packs in kitchen paper first. Ensure this milk is used within the recommended refrigeration storage times as mentioned above.

Re-heating expressed breastmilk

How do I re-heat expressed breastmilk?

Expressed breastmilk can be used straight from the fridge. It does not need to be warmed. If you would like it warmed place the container (such as a bottle or sealed cup) in warm water to take the chill off. Take care not to over warm.

If the milk smells sour DO NOT USE.

When stored, the cream and milk may separate out. This is normal. Shake gently to mix before use.

Some babies are reluctant to take milk from a bottle, particularly at first. Try offering milk from a cup or spoon. They may be less reluctant when someone else gives it. If expressed milk is refused try not to worry - your baby will make up any missed feeds by breastfeeding more often or for longer on your return. See also info on this page about introducing a bottle.

Finding a breast pump

The two UK breast pump hire companies are:
Ardo breast pumps Medela breast pumps
Your midwife, health visitor or a local breastfeeding supporter may also be able to give you details of pump hire services near you.

Useful links
Human Milk Foundation
UKAMB (UK Milk Banks - find out about donating or receiving milk)
Milk Bank Scotland
Antenatal Expressing - more detailed information about this

References

(links checked May 2023)

Cook, P. Food Standards Agency. MCN10. 2006 Handling and storage of expressed breastmilk pp1-12 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph11/documents/mcn-consultation-expert-report-handling-and-storage-of-expressed-breast-milk2

Eglash, A, Simon, L, and The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, ABM Clinical Protocol #8: Human Milk Storage Information for Home Use for Full-Term Infants, BREASTFEEDING MEDICINE Volume 12, Number 7, 2017 (c) Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. pp390-395 https://abm.memberclicks.net/assets/DOCUMENTS/PROTOCOLS/8-human-milk-storage-protocol-english.pdf See correction to freezer temp here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6065517/

Forster, Della A et al. (2017) Advising women with diabetes in pregnancy to express breastmilk in late pregnancy (Diabetes and Antenatal Milk Expressing [DAME]): a multicentre, unblinded, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, Volume 389, Issue 10085, 2204 - 2213 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)31373-9/ppt

Hands A. (2003) Safe storage of expressed breastmilk in the home. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, vol 13, no 3.

Royle, J. Weaver, G. (2016) Guidelines for the Preparation and Handling of Expressed and Donor Breast Milk and Special Feeds for Infants and Children in Neonatal and Paediatric Health Care Settings. 2nd Ed. Section 6, p18-32
BDA Guidelines for the Preparation and Handling of Expressed and Donor Breast Milk and Specialist Feeds for Infants and Children in Neonatal and Paediatric Health Care Settings
IMPORTANT: If you have any further questions on expressing or breastfeeding, do contact your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter for help and support. You can also call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212, open 9.30am-9.30pm every day of the year.

Page reviewed and updated November 2019

Variations in Recommendations for Storing Expressed Breast Milk

Written by Anabel Hands

In 2003, aware of the confusion for mothers resulting from the significant variations in recommendations for storing expressed breast milk, the BfN decided to collate all available information from primary research papers, and national and local guidance documents. These findings were published in the MIDIRS Midwifery Digest 1. The study found that storage temperature clearly determines storage time. Recommended storage times given in our Expressing and Storing Breast Milk leaflet were based on the primary research papers discussed in the study. You can find the link to this leaflet below for more information 2.

Our publication was sent to other breastfeeding organisations, including the Department of Health (DH), to facilitate agreement on storage recommendations using the results of primary research. The DH asked the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) to review breast milk storage guidelines, and official storage recommendations were changed from 24 hours in the fridge to up to 5 days at 4°C or lower, two weeks in the ice compartment of a fridge and up to six months in a freezer (March 2008) 3.NICE also recognised that refrigeration preserves the unique properties of breast milk more effectively than freezing. The National Health Service (NHS) adopted these guidelines, which appear in their leaflet Off to the best start (updated November 2009) which you can find a link to below 4.

Although a little different to BfN guidelines, the NICE and NHS recommendations took into account that fridge temperatures can vary and that a 5-day storage time covered most situations, including the need for milk expressed at the end of one working week to be used at the beginning of the following week. Some busy hospital neonatal units restrict the time milk is refrigerated as an added precaution; this is because their fridges are opened very frequently, which may affect the storage temperatures 5.

Other breastfeeding organisations, such as La Leche League, updated their published recommendations to distinguish between acceptable storage (8 days in the fridge) from ideal storage (72 hours in the fridge), and also recognised that refrigerated expressed breast milk was preferable to frozen breast milk (March 2012) see link below for more information. These recommendations are in line with the BfN leaflet 6.

It is important for mothers and breastfeeding supporters to note that leaflets and recommendations inconsistent with the published research are still in circulation, particularly on the Internet, and that countries outside of the UK may recommend different guidelines.

Please note that previous versions of our leaflet are still available in our shop and the information is still correct, noting the above.

References

1. HANDS A. Safe storage of expressed breast milk in the home. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, vol 13, no 3, Sep 2003, pp 378 & 385.

2. BfN (Breastfeeding Network) leaflet. Expressing and storing breast milk. September 2004.

3. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Public health guidance 11: Maternal and child nutrition. March 2008.

4. Department of Health. Off to the best start. Crown Copyright 2007 278957 5p 200k Nov 09 (BEL) 299223.

5. MCN consultation: Expert report & Handling and storage of expressed breast milk. 05 April 2007.

6. La Leche League International. "The Breastfeeding Answer Book" Updated March 2012.

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Expressing and storing breastmilk - The Breastfeeding Network

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This page gives you some tips on how to hand express and store your breastmilk. It also answers some frequently asked questions on this topic. You might be thinking of returning to work, or study, or planning a night out. It can also help relieve pressure from a blocked duct or mastitis.

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The correct fitting flange (part of a pump that touches the breast) can make expressing more comfortable and effective. Individual manufacturers may have their own fit guide too.

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Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition in which the thin piece of skin under a baby's tongue (the frenulum) is shorter than normal, meaning it may restrict the movement of the tongue. This can sometimes make it harder for a baby to breastfeed (and sometimes bottle feed). If you suspect that your baby may have a tongue tie, this should be assessed by a trained healthcare professional such as a GP, midwife, health visitor or lactation consultant.

Tongue tie can sometimes impact on a baby's ability to breastfeed effectively. It can mean that a baby may not be able to move their tongue fully up and down or side-to-side or they might not be able to stick their tongue out beyond their lower lip. If tongue tie does interfere with a baby's ability to latch and suckle at the breast it can cause:

nipple pain and trauma for mum

poor breast milk intake leading to poor weight gain

a possible decrease in milk supply over time.

Fussy, gassy baby due to poor latch and baby swallowing air when feeding

More chance of engorgement and possible mastitis due to the breasts not being emptied effectively at each feed

Sometimes, babies who have a tongue tie have no problems at all with feeding. They may still be able to go onto the breast and feed effectively - so not every case of tongue tie needs treatment and assessment by a trained health professional and someone trained in infant feeding is vital.

If the tongue tie is causing problems, it can be treated with tongue tie division, which involves cutting the short, tight piece of skin connecting the underside of the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. This must be done by a trained healthcare professional.

After having a tongue tie divided some mums find things get easier quite quickly and others find it can take a while to improve. Support from a breastfeeding practitioner to adapt positioning and attachment can be useful and your baby might need some time to practice and adapt to a slightly different way of feeding. Spending time in ski n-to-ski n and encouraging your baby to feed when calm and relaxed can also help. You can ask your health care professional about pain relief for your baby if needed.

You can find more information on tongue tie on these pages:

NHS Tongue tie page

NCT Tongue tie page

GP infant feeding network

La Leche League tongue tie page

UNICEF tongue tie page

The Association of Tongue Tie Practitioners lists tongue-tie practitioners in the UK

Links checked April 2023

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Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition in which the thin piece of skin under a baby's tongue (the frenulum) is shorter than normal, meaning it may restrict the movement of the tongue. This can sometimes make it harder for a baby to breastfeed (and sometimes bottle feed).

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Find private support from registered practitioners and information about the procedure and aftercare

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Please look on this page for more information on infant feeding support organisations, and information on the impact a tongue-tie may have on your baby, alongside some other important features.

Should you wish to access private or NHS support with advice for potential division of a restrictive tongue-tie, we have directories which show you local clinics and practitioners who are able to provide home visits or clinic attendance. Please see our 'Find a Practitioner' feature. This is inclusive of links to NHS provision. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to notify us if these are not wholly accurate with the correct details: NHS listings form.

From the 1st September 2019, all of the private practitioners listed in our ATP directory will be suitably registered health care professionals, who maintain adequate insurance and if appropriate, registration with the Care Quality Commission (England), The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (Northern Ireland) or Healthcare Improvement Scotland. Practitioners providing care in Wales are not required to currently register with Healthcare Inspectorate Wales.

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Infant Tongue-Tie | Tongue-Tie Practitioners

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Access information & support for infant tongue-tie| Find feeding support & local clinics| Join the Association of Tongue-Tie Practitioners

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Diversity in Breastfeeding - The Breastfeeding Network

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Copyright © 2025 The Breastfeeding Network. Registered Charity No SC027007Accessibility | Privacy Notice | Members area

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ADHD Awareness Month 2024: ADHD and Breastfeeding - The Breastfeeding Network

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I’m Emily, mum of two and an IBCLC and a Peer Supporter with the Breastfeeding Network. For ADHD awareness month I’m writing about ADHD and how it affects parenting and breastfeeding.

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What is weaning?

Introducing your baby to solid foods, also referred to as weaning or complementary feeding, starts when your baby is around 6 months old.

Your baby should be introduced to a varied diet, alongside their usual breast milk or first infant formula.

It can be confusing knowing when and how to start introducing solid foods. We're here to guide you through the weaning journey and explain what it all means.

We've got expert NHS advice, helpful videos, tips from other parents, and lots of simple, healthy weaning recipe and meal ideas.

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Weaning means introducing your baby to solid foods alongside their usual breast milk or infant formula. We're here to guide you through the journey.

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Learning you are pregnant with twins, triplets or more changes your expectations and plans. But your decision to breastfeed doesn't have to change.

Breastmilk is especially important for multiples, who are often small at birth and need all the health benefits it provides. Breastfeeding also helps you create a special bond with each of your babies. Many mothers have nursed their multiples; you can enjoy nurturing your babies this way, too.

Planning ahead

Attend La Leche League meetings or our Antenatal Breastfeeding classes in pregnancy to learn about breastfeeding and meet breastfeeding mothers. Do read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, Mothering Multiples by Karen Gromada and our page on Birth and Breastfeeding.

A healthy diet with plenty of protein, complex carbohydrates and good fats will get you all off to a good start. Gaining healthy amounts of weight during pregnancy is good for your babies' birth weights and may also help prevent premature birth.

Even with good care, you might experience complications during pregnancy so it helps to be prepared. Ask your midwife for information on warning signs for premature labour. Seek medical attention quickly if any occur, or you have any of these symptoms: a severe headache or stomach ache, see spots in front of your eyes, or feel extremely irritable or tense.

Limit visitors

Limit visitors while in hospital and in the early days to those you feel comfortable breastfeeding in front of. When nursing two babies at once, you may feel exposed, at least until you can manage both babies and keeping your breasts covered (if you feel you want to). Tell friends and family you need time to recover and suggest they visit later, or drop round a meal!

Separation

Any separation after birth may make breastfeeding harder, but it's still possible. Hold, or at least touch, your babies immediately after the birth or as soon as you can. You can still touch and stroke a baby in special care and may be able to hold him against you in 'kangaroo mother care'. If he can't breastfeed, express your milk for him. This is the most important thing you can do whilst you are waiting to start breastfeeding. When you are back together, spend as much time as possible snuggling together skin-to-skin or lightly dressed to establish breastfeeding.

If you need to express your milk because one or both babies can't nurse, hand expression is useful in the first few days. Plan to express from both breasts at least eight times in 24 hours, about every two to three hours during the day and at least once during the night. As your milk increases, you can switch to a hospital grade automatic electric pump.

Once breastfeeding is established, mothers of multiples often find nursing two at once is easiest and it saves time to co-ordinate feeds. Biological Nurturing ™ positions can leave your hands free.

Breastfeeding at night lying down gives you more rest. It gets easier as your babies grow. In the meantime, use enough pillows to recline in bed and feed two babies at once. Keep a drink and snack handy plus books or music to pass the time. See Safer Sleep and the Breastfed Baby.

Making enough milk

The more milk your babies take, the more your breasts will make. This is especially important in the first few weeks. Since mothers of multiples usually experience more breast development during pregnancy, mothers of twins can almost always produce enough milk for both babies, and triplets can also be totally breastfed.

See Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk?

Encourage each baby to feed at least 8-10 times in 24 hours. If one of your babies is too sleepy or groggy to rouse himself every few hours, you will need to wake him to feed to ensure he gets enough milk. See our page Sleepy Baby-why and what to do.

At first you may feel you are doing nothing but feeding, but things will settle down as your babies grow and your milk production adjusts. Practical help with everything else will allow you to sit or lie down and concentrate on the important job of establishing breastfeeding.

Looking after yourself

You'll be busy looking after your babies but don't forget to look after yourself too. Try to eat a balanced diet and drink enough. Get as much rest as possible, and sleep whenever your babies sleep.

Looking after your babies will be a full-time job for quite a while so expect to do only the absolute minimum of housework.

Others will offer help with housework or entertaining older children-do accept if you feel you want to and make an effort to ask for help when you need it. Have a list of simple tasks ready to make it easier when people do offer help and you could share information from our pageSupporting a Breastfeeding Mother.

Your partner or support person will have a crucial role both practically and emotionally. Because they are needed so much, non-gestational parents of multiples have the opportunity to quickly develop close relationships with their babies. Other family members may also enjoy the chance to be practically involved. Take moments to appreciate this special time and be proud that you can nourish and nurture two or more little human beings at once!

Other sources of practical help

Midwives, health visitors, clinics and surgeries.

Homestart - a charity which offers support and friendship to families who are struggling to cope for a variety of reasons.

Local college students studying child development or members of local community groups.

Mixed feelings

Parents of twins or more often have mixed emotions about their multiple babies. It's normal to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of caring for two or more babies at once.

It can really help to talk to another family in the same situation. Your local LLL Leader can put you in touch with other mothers who have breastfed multiples, some LLL groups have Facebook support groups specifically for mothers of multiples. There may also be a local twins support group near you (see Further Information section). Adjusting to Motherhood has practical tips on dealing with feelings too.

Practicalities of getting out

It's daunting leaving the house with more than one baby. Start by going out briefly with someone else to help.

Keep a changing bag packed and ready. A backpack leaves your hands free.

Keep valuables and keys safe to hand in a waist pack or small bag across your chest.

Consider using a sling or carrier for one baby even when out with a pushchair. A double pushchair can be useful for carrying shopping too.

Alternate which baby gets carried: it's easy to overlook a quieter baby's need for closeness if one fusses more when out and about.

Think about suitable places for feeding ahead of time. Look out for your babies' early feeding cues so you can offer a feed before they start to fuss and attract attention from others.

Get to know your babies: with time, you will come to know your babies as individuals. Take opportunities to give them a little undivided attention: feeding, nappy changes etc. A few minutes here and there all add up. Their personalities will soon show through.

Finding support

It's OK to ask for help-it can take a while for breastfeeding to become easy, or for your babies to learn to breastfeed effectively. It will get easier as time goes on. You can get skilled help from an LLL Leader by calling our Helpline. Seek support and encouragement from the mothers in your local LLL group.

Written by Sue Upstone and mothers of LLLGB, photos courtesy of Sarah W.

Further Reading

Adjusting to Motherhood
Antenatal Expression of Colostrum
Birth and Breastfeeding
Caesarean Birth and Breastfeeding
Hand Expression of Breastmilk
My Baby Needs More Milk
Sleepy Baby - Why and What to Do
Supporting A Breastfeeding Mother
Mothering through special care

LLLI Resources
Breastfeeding Premature Babies

Other websites
Information on nursing multiples by the author of Mothering Multiples.
Website and blog of Krista Gray, IBCLC and mother of twins.
Breastfeeding Twins and Triplets by Kathryn Stagg, IBCLC

Books

The Womanly Art Of Breastfeeding. LLLI, London: Pinter & Martin, 2010.
Hold your Prem. Jill Bergman and Dr Nils Bergman. Cape Town: New Voices Publishing, 2010.
Mothering Multiples. Karen Kerkhoff Gromada. Schaumburg, IL: LLLI, 2007.
Breastfeeding Your Premature Baby. Gwen Gotsch. LLLI, 2002.

Further Information

Twins Trust provides information and support networks for families of twins or more. Tel: 0800 138 0509 (10 am-1 pm and 7pm-10pm, daily).

Breastfeeding Twins and Triplets UK is a charity providing breastfeeding information and support run by breastfeeding counsellors

This information is available to buy in printed form from our Shop.

Copyright LLLGB 2016

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Learning you are pregnant with twins, triplets or more changes your expectations and plans. But your decision to breastfeed doesn't have to change. Breastmilk is especially important for multiples, who are often small at birth and need all the health benefits it provides. Breastfeeding also helps you create a special bond with each of your [...]

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Here at Breastfeeding Twins and Triplets UK we will answer all of these questions and more. We will try to put your mind at rest whilst being honest about journey on which you are about to embark. Breastfeeding more than one baby is challenging, but it is definitely possible and a lot of mums go on to have a really enjoyable experience.

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Families in Telford are a voluntary project running groups on Woodside and Sutton Hill in Telford.

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Home | Families in Telford | Parent and child groups

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Families in Telford. Free to attend groups for all pre school children and their parents/carers. Stay and play as well as tailored mother and baby sessions

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A free, calm and supportive environment for those in

a parenting role to meet with early years professionals,

connect with other parents and to talk and think

about parenthood.

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A place to get free support from a team of experienced counsellors and psychotherapists.

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Telford Sea Change IMH Listening space leaflet 112024

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For referrals via BfN team please speak to emily.evans@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk

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This project is donation-based and receives no outside funding towards its core costs, if you wish to help us to continue to support those in need within our community you can do so by making cash donations towards our core costs. if you represent a business and would like to sponsor the baby & toddler bank please get in touch we'd love the opportunity to talk and share ideas.

For referrals please click here
If the user needs nappies, wipes, and/or food only, please request using the link under food help.

If you would like to donate please call us first to check on our capacity and suitability of any items you wish to give, thank you.

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This project is donation-based and receives no outside funding towards its core costs, if you wish to help us to continue to support those in need within our community you can do so by making cash ...

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https://www.babystepstelford.org.uk/

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Advice for new parents.

What is Baby Steps - Money and Advice Project?

Baby Steps is an advice project from Citizens Advice Telford and the Wrekin for new parents, with a focus on finances. The aim of the service is to provide key advice to new parents regardless of their circumstances, in accordance with Citizens Advice's core aims and principles. We are currently offering advice appointments to any new parents who feel they might need advice, and we can be visited at the URL below:

How can we help?

Under the BabySteps Money and Advice Project, we will be advising new parents on:

Benefits
Checking entitlement, Child Benefits, Universal Credit, Maternity Pay/Allowance, and more...

Employment Rights
Rights while pregnant, Maternity rights, and Paternity rights

Cost of Living Crisis Support
Checking entitlement for support, Local grant entitlement, Warm space information, Energy advice, and more...

Budgeting and Debt
Budgeting advice, Debt options and support, Managing debts, Income maximisation, and more...

Childcare
Free childcare options, Paid childcare options, Tax-free childcare, and more...

Housing & Independent Living
Private renting advice, Mortgage problems, Discrimination, Problems where you live, and more...

Immigration

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Baby Steps | Citizens Advice Telford and the Wrekin

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We are moving from paper vouchers to the Healthy Start card. We will send the last paper vouchers out on the week starting the 7th March. You can still use any valid vouchers to get free vitamins.

Why you should get your free Healthy Start vitamins

Young children may not get enough vitamin A and D even if they are eating well. If you are pregnant and breastfeeding you may not get enough vitamin C or D or folic acid.

You can use your Healthy Start card to get these important vitamins for free. These come as NHS Healthy Start tablets and drops for children.

They do not contain milk, egg, gluten, soya or peanut residues. They're suitable for vegetarians and halal diets.

You can get the vitamin tablets while you're pregnant and up to your baby's 1st birthday. They contain:

folic acid which lowers the chance of babies having spinal problems

vitamin C which helps the body's soft tissue

vitamin D which helps babies' bones to develop properly

Children can take vitamin drops if they:

are less than 4 years old

have less than 500ml (about one pint) of infant formula a day - as formula already has vitamins added to it

Healthy Start vitamins come as an 8-week supply of:

56 tablets (a daily dose of 1 tablet)

280 drops (a daily dose of 5 drops)

You or your children should not take more than the recommended amount.

Find out more about the vitamins you and your baby need and why (opens in a new tab).

How to get free vitamins if you live in England

Ask your midwife or health visitor where to get your free vitamins.

You can also find who stocks Healthy Start vitamins in your local area (opens in a new tab).

To collect your free vitamins, you'll have to show your Healthy Start card or vouchers.

How to get free vitamins if you live in Wales

You can collect free vitamins at your local health board. You will need to show your Healthy Start card or vouchers.

How to get free vitamins if you live in Northern Ireland and have a Healthy Start card

If you are eligible, we will send you a letter explaining how to request your free vitamins. We will check your request and send your order to the Business Services Organisation (opens in a new tab) in Northern Ireland. They will then post the vitamins to you.

How to get free vitamins if you live in Northern Ireland and have valid paper vouchers

Put your vitamin vouchers and the Healthy Start letter that comes with them in an envelope. Send the envelope to:

Business Services Organisation
Healthy Start vitamin scheme
Pinewood Villa
73 Loughgall Road
Armagh
BT61 7PR

The Business Services Organisation (opens in a new tab) will then post the vitamins to you.

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We are moving from paper vouchers to the Healthy Start card. We will send the last paper vouchers out on the week starting the 7th March. You can still use any valid vouchers to get free vitamins. Young children may not get enough vitamin A and D even if they are eating well.

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Keep up to date with information about Black Breastfeeding Week

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30 minute 1:1 peer support calls via Zoom and 1 hour virtual group support is bookable via eventbrite. Not a time to suit you? Please email telford@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk

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The safest cot is a clear cot

The safest cot for a baby is a clear cot. That means removing anything that isn't essential. Babies need just two items in their cot:

It's important to remove anything that isn't essential because items such as toys, blankets and bumpers could cover their face and obstruct their breathing.

When preparing your baby's sleep space, remember:

No pillows or duvets

No cot bumpers

No soft toys or comforters

No weighted or bulky bedding

No products designed to keep your baby in one sleeping position, such as wedges or straps

No pods or nests, rolled up towels or anything soft placed on top of the mattress.

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Safer sleep overview - The Lullaby Trust

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An easy guide to practicing safer sleep for your baby and reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, or cot death).

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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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Breastfeeding Network Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin

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Blog Post - Breastfeeding on the Autistic Spectrum

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Blog Post - Breastfeeding on the Autistic Spectrum

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As part of World Autism Acceptance Week, BfN and National Breastfeeding Helpline Helper Katrona draws on her own experiences to share some information about breastfeeding when you are on the autistic spectrum. The term autistic will be used here instead of a person with autism because many people with autism (including the author) see it as part of who they are and not just something they have and therefore is their preferred term.
Thanks to the media, when people think of autism, they often think of stereotypical autism - male, non-verbal, rocking back and forth or stimming (repetitive movement) or being a savant (having special skills, like Dustin Hoffman in the film Rain Man).

Autism is not an illness, it just means that your brain works in a different way from the general population. It can mean that you have difficulty with social interactions and communication - it is said that up to 93% of communication is through body language, so it can be hard when you are depending on the 7% verbal component to understand what people are meaning when they speak. Sensory issues - your senses are too high or dulled meaning you experience touch, sight, sound too intensely or have trouble recognising and feeling changes in them. Autistic people often like order and certainty in life, have black and white thinking and can find comfort when the world follows logical rules.

Like myself, many females who are diagnosed with autism are diagnosed at a later stage of life instead of childhood, usually after they have had their own children.

So what has this to do with breastfeeding?

Well first of all females can be autistic, have children and breastfeed. Due to diagnosis criteria and the fact that from an early age girls learn to mask (changing your behaviour to fit in to what society deem socially acceptable) instead of a diagnosis of autism they are misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression. This may mean any challenges faced when breastfeeding are not addressed

The challenges faced by autistic breastfeeding mothers vary and can include:
Sensory issues
Feeling "touched out" and "touch overload" being misinterpreted as a feeding aversion.

Interpreting touch as pain or having less sensation of pain and not realising damage is being done to the nipples.
Communication
Phrases like "you are looking for three dirty nappies a day and five wet nappies" - does this mean if my baby is peeing ten times a day or pooping after every feed is it a problem? Vague terms like "some mums may find" and "heavy nappies" can be confusing and cause over worry and anxiety.

Trouble taking in large amounts of instructions at one time or focusing on breastfeeding and reading detailed studies and both cause confusion.
Changes
There is a lot of uncertainly with babies, they don't do what the books say they will, they change their routines and when your life is easier if there is an order to it and predictability, dealing with a new born can be very overwhelming. The lack of sleep and uncertainty can disrupt coping methods and exasperate the effects that autism can have on your life.

These can all be negative when breastfeeding with autism but there are plenty of positives as well. Breastfeeding can cut down on anxiety and worry - there is no need to measure formula out, make sure bottles are properly sterilised. Can help with mother/baby bonding by bringing a sense of normality to the mother, being able to do what neurotypical mothers do, and not feeling so different. Cuts down on sensory overload - the easiest way to settle a crying baby is to stick it on your breast, stops crying instantly, no need to wait for a bottle to be prepared.

Most of the challenges can be overcome or lessened by good communication with health care providers and supporters, thinking about the individual problems and finding new strategies and coping methods to address them. Many autistic women can be very determined, some may say stubborn but they know how much they can deal with and put up with. Understanding this and remembering if goals need to change, like the introduction of formula top ups, can be really upsetting to autistic mums but having research which they can read and study further can really help.

Some simple things like checking communication is going both ways, and finding strategies for coping, no matter how unusual they are can make a big difference to an autistic person's breastfeeding journey.

Some links for more information and support:
The National Breastfeeding Helpline

Breastfeeding mums on the Autistic Spectrum Facebook page
Breastfeeding with a disability Facebook page
The Curly Hair Project
National Autistic Society - Autistic Women & Girls
Share this post:

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Breastfeeding If You Are On The Autistic Spectrum - The Breastfeeding Network

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As part of World Autism Acceptance Week, BfN and National Breastfeeding Helpline Helper Katrona draws on her own experiences to share some information about breastfeeding when you are on the autistic spectrum. The term autistic will be used here instead of a person with autism because many people with autism (including the author) see it [...]

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Chestfeeding if you're trans or non-binary

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Chestfeeding if you're trans or non-binary

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Chestfeeding if you're trans or non-binary

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If you are trans or non-binary and are thinking about chestfeeding your baby, find out your options and further information here.

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Introduction | Neurodiversity Celebration Week

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When it comes to inclusion, neurodiversity refers to a world where neurological differences are recognised and respected as all other human variations.

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Evidence suggests that autistic people may experience aspects of breastfeeding differently to non-autistic people.

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Telford - 1st Friday of the month 9:30-11:30 @ Woodside Park Lane Centre, TF7 5QZ

Telford - 2nd Tuesday of the month during Term time 10:00-11:30 @ Dawley Town Hall, TF4 3JR

Telford - 3rd Tuesday of the month9:30-11:30 @ Sutton Hill Clinic Room, TF7 4DH

Shrewsbury - Every Tuesday 09:30-12:30 @ Sunflower House, SY1 4ES

Market Drayton - 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month 09:30-12:30 @ Raven House, TF9 3AP

Oswestry - 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month 09:30-12:00 @ Oswestry Library, SY11 1JN

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Breastfeeding Network Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin

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Breastfeeding and the Support Partners role

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Strategies for managing mastitis have recently been reviewed and the information on treating it has changed.

The main change is that using cooling rather than heating is more effective at reducing inflammation. Also, a reminder that massage should be VERY gentle - the pressure should be akin to that used to rub in body lotion. It has now been recognised it is important to move lymph fluid out of the breasts using the technique listed here. You can also Google Maya Bolman’s ‘Breast Gymnastics’ for a helpful video.

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BFN Peer supporters will be attending the drop in clinics at Park Lane, Dawley and Silver Threads

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24hr support available everyday by calling 0300 100 0212 or webchat by visiting https://www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk/

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National Breastfeeding Helpline - Helpline

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

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How do I know that breastfeeding is going well?

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How do I know that breastfeeding is going well?

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Getting Started
Breastfeeding should be COMFORTABLE
How you sit (or lie down) and how close you hold your baby as you feed can make a difference to how well things go. Sometimes a little difference in how your baby is feeding can make a big difference to how comfortable it is for you and how easily your baby gets your milk.
Breastfeeding should NOT HURT
Changing how you hold your baby and how they start to feed can sometimes make a difference to how they settle after feeds.

How you hold your baby is frequently called positioning.

How your baby takes the breast is sometimes called attaching, latching or fixing.
Positioning can help make ATTACHMENT more effective and comfortable, here's how:
Your baby needs to be able to take a large mouthful of breast and feed effectively without causing you any discomfort.

Especially in the early days, you may find it more comfortable to feed lying in a semi reclined position, with your body and head completely supported. In this position your baby feeds while lying on your stomach, with their body and legs downwards. This way your baby can move towards your nipple and breast itself, with some gentle guidance if needed. You may prefer to breastfeed sitting up with your baby lying across your body or in a rugby hold.

Sit comfortably with your back well supported

Sit comfortably with your feet flat on the floor or raised on a stool or a pile of magazines or similar so that your lap is flat.

Keep your baby's body in a straight line with their whole body facing the food (nipple and breast).

Support their neck, shoulders and back so that your baby can tilt their head back easily.

Move your baby from your cleavage towards the nipple.

Make sure your baby's lower lip and chin is in contact with your breast first.

The following issues are possible signs that your attachment could benefit from being altered. They are not always caused by attachment, but it is worth trying to adjust the way you are holding your baby and bringing them to the breast before considering any other explanations:

Baby starts to feed then pulls away

Nipples cracked or sore

Baby is unsettled or 'colicky'

Breasts leak

Baby fights or refuses the breast

Baby wakes up frequently in the night

Baby has sore bottom or watery stools or green poo

Slow weight gain

Blocked ducts or mastitis

Baby's nose is blocked by mother's breast

Very frequent and/or lengthy feeds

There are some illustrations and more information in Off to the Best Start.

If you want to talk through positioning and attaching in more detail, you could contact the National Breastfeeding Helpline to speak to a registered Breastfeeding Supporter. The National Breastfeeding Helpline is available from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm, 365 days a year, on 0300 100 0212, or via social media and webchat.

Here are some links to external breastfeeding websites with line drawings and images that give tips on how to get your baby to the breast correctly:

Speak to a registered Breastfeeding Supporter

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How to breastfeed - The Breastfeeding Network

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Getting Started Breastfeeding should be COMFORTABLE How you sit (or lie down) and how close you hold your baby as you feed can make a difference to how well things go. Sometimes a little difference in how your baby is feeding can make a big difference to how comfortable it is for you and how [...]

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https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/exclusive-expressing-your-questions-answered/

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Check out our delicious recipe and meal ideas for babies and toddlers - including weaning recipes, finger foods, snacks and first tastes.

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It's up to you and your baby to decide when you want to finish breastfeeding.

How long to breastfeed

It's recommended that you breastfeed your baby exclusively (give them breast milk only) for the first 6 months of their life.

Breastfeeding still has lots of benefits for you and your baby after 6 months. It protects them from infections and there's some evidence that it helps with the digestion of your baby's first solid foods. It also continues to provide the balance of nutrients your baby needs.

The World Health Organization recommends that all babies are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of their life, and from 6 months babies should start eating solid foods as well as being breastfed for up to 2 years or longer.

If you're not sure whether to continue with breastfeeding, contact the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 (available every day, 9.30am to 9.30pm).

Read more about the benefits of breastfeeding

Stopping breastfeeding gradually

There's no right or wrong way to stop breastfeeding. For lots of mothers and babies, stopping breastfeeding happens gradually as the child grows and eats more solid foods.

It's important that solid food should not simply replace breast milk. There's evidence that breast milk may play a part in helping a baby's digestive system to deal with their first solids.

Once they're eating solids, your baby will still need to have breast milk or formula as their main drink up to at least their 1st birthday.

Cows' milk is not suitable as a main drink for babies under 1 year old, although it can be added to foods, such as mashed potatoes.

Carrying on breastfeeding while giving your baby some formula can work very well.

Babies breastfeed for comfort as well as food. Phasing out breastfeeding gently will give you both time to get used to the idea. Stopping gradually will also help prevent problems like overfull, hard (engorged) breasts and mastitis.

You'll probably find it easiest to drop 1 feed at a time. It does not matter which feed you drop first, so it will usually be a case of how it fits in with your life. For example, some mothers may prefer to continue night feeds so their baby can still have the comfort at night.

If your baby is younger than 1 year, you'll need to replace the dropped breastfeed with a formula feed from a bottle or (if they're over 6 months) a cup or beaker, instead.

If your child is over 1 year and having a variety of foods and drinks, they will not need a replacement feed.

Once you and your baby are settled into a pattern of having 1 less breastfeed, you can then think about dropping another feed. Completely stopping breastfeeding can take anything from a few weeks to several months.

If you're trying to stop breastfeeding and having problems, you can get help and ideas from a health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist.

Read more about drinks and cups for babies

Combining breast milk and formula

Some women decide to combine breastfeeding and bottle feeding with formula milk rather than stopping breastfeeding completely.

If you want to do this, it's best to wait until your milk supply is fully established. This can take around 6 to 8 weeks.

You can start by replacing 1 of your baby's regular daily breastfeeds with a bottle (or, if your baby is over 6 months, a cup or beaker) of formula, instead.

Common reasons for stopping breastfeeding

Sore or painful breasts

Some women find breastfeeding uncomfortable, especially in the early days and weeks. Common problems include sore or cracked nipples and painful breasts.

These problems can often happen when your baby is not positioned or attached well at the breast. A midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist can help you with positioning your baby and getting them properly attached.

Not enough breast milk

Lots of women worry that their baby is not getting enough milk when in fact they have plenty to meet their baby's needs.

A midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding specialist can suggest ways to increase your milk supply if necessary. This could just mean making sure your baby is well attached to the breast and that you're feeding often enough.

Going back to work

Some women worry about breastfeeding and returning to work. Going back to work does not necessarily mean you have to stop breastfeeding.

If your breast milk supply is well established, going back to work does not have to affect your milk supply for your baby. You can either express at work, give your breast milk to your child's carer, or provide formula milk while you're away.

If your employer is not familiar with the rules around breastfeeding and expressing in the workplace, it's worth sharing the ACAS guidance on pregnancy and maternity with them, or contacting your union if you have one.

Going on holiday

As with work, going on holiday does not mean that you have to give up breastfeeding. In fact, breastfeeding can be more convenient while you're away.

If you breastfeed, you do not need to worry about boiling water and sterilising feeding equipment. Plus, if you're flying, there's no need to worry about restrictions on carrying bottles or cups of formula through airport security checks.

Breastfeeding also helps to equalise the pressure in your baby's ears on take-off or landing.

Getting pregnant again

If you get pregnant again while you're breastfeeding, it should not affect your baby or the pregnancy. However, you may feel tired, and changes in your appetite and emotions can make breastfeeding more challenging.

Do not be put off feeding an older baby and a newborn (tandem nursing). The more milk your babies take, the more your breasts produce, so it's possible to feed more than 1 baby.

Taking some medicines

Most medicines can be taken while you're breastfeeding without harming your baby.

But it's always best to tell a doctor, dentist or pharmacist if you're breastfeeding.

Read more about breastfeeding and medicines

Restarting breastfeeding after stopping

Stopping breastfeeding does not always have to be permanent, but starting again may take a lot of time and not everyone will produce enough to meet their baby's needs. It partly depends on how well-established your milk supply was already.

Stimulating your breasts by expressing breast milk and offering the breast to your baby regularly can encourage your body to start making milk again.

Skin-to-skin contact with your baby can promote lactation (milk production) too.

You can ask a midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist for help if you would like to restart breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding older children

There's no reason why you should not continue breastfeeding your child into their 2nd year and beyond. You and your toddler can continue to enjoy the benefits of breastfeeding for as long as you want to.

Your toddler may also find breastfeeding comforting when they're ill or upset.

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Thinking of stopping breastfeeding? Find out how to wean your baby off the breast once you're both ready to stop.

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DiBM factsheets and contact details

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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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Book your free place on our antenatal workshop, virtual and in person options available each month.

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Single Point of Access (SPOA)Telford and Wrekin:

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Single Point of Access (SPOA)Telford and Wrekin:

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General enquiries and appointments:

Tel: 0333 358 3328

Text for Health Advice:

Health Visitor Team

07520 619053

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Single Point of Access (SPOA) Shropshire

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Single Point of Access (SPOA) Shropshire

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General enquiries and appointments:

Tel: 0333 358 3654

Text for Health Advice:

Health Visitor Team

07520 635212

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The hospital based infant feeding team can be contacted on 01952 565954, supporting families with babies up to 6 weeks old.

https://www.sath.nhs.uk/wards-services/az-services/maternity/feeding/

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Monthly Peer Support Groups held in partnership with Oswestry Community Action (Qube), Breastfeeding Network and Shropshire Council.

Shrewsbury @ Lantern Community Building : 23rd July, 13th Aug

Oswestry @ Oswestry Library : 7th Sep (with Cuddle Collective)

Ludlow @ Helena Lane : 4th Aug

Full details and information on other groups in Shropshire can be found here: https://padlet.com/cjackson381/infant-feeding-peer-support-71kdn724jvk219c4

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Many mothers of twins or more breastfeed their babies successfully and we're here to support you.

Multiples are more likely to be born early and we know that very small or premature babies can find it difficult to breastfeed at the beginning. If you are unable to feed your babies straight away it doesn't mean that you won't be able to breastfeed.

Spending time with your babies, giving them skin-to-skin time with you or your partner and expressing breastmilk regularly, can all help babies to get going with breastfeeding. Talk to the hospital staff and your midwife about how they can support you to feed your babies in the way you want to.

To help you prepare for breastfeeding Twins Trust suggest that you:

Personal stories

Our work with peer-to-peer breastfeeding supporters has been made possible thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund.

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Many mothers breastfeed their twins, triplets or more. Twins Trust is here to support you with whichever feeding choice is best for your family.

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Can I drink alcohol while breastfeeding?

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Can I drink alcohol while breastfeeding?

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This information can also be viewed as a PDF by clicking here.
Breastfeeding mothers can have occasional, small amounts of alcohol but should not drink regularly or heavily (e.g. binge drinking) without considering how to limit the baby's exposure. If you drink any alcohol DO NOT bed share with your baby or fall asleep in the sofa/chair. If you do binge drink, your baby should be cared for by an adult who has not had any alcohol. It is not necessary to express breastmilk to clear it of alcohol.

Never share a bed or sofa with your baby if you have drunk any alcohol. Doing this has an increased association with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Alcohol passes freely into breastmilk reaching approximately maternal levels BUT maternal blood levels have to reach 300mg/100ml before mild sedation is reached in the baby (this compares with a level of 80mg/100ml needed to fail the police breath test in England, Wales and N. Ireland; 50mg/100ml Scotland.

To reduce exposure of the baby to alcohol, avoid breastfeeding for 2-3 hours after drinking.

Peak levels in the milk appear after 30-90 minutes but this does not mean that social drinking of small amounts of alcohol mean that you cannot breastfeed.

Excess levels of alcohol in milk may lead to drowsiness, deep sleep, weakness and decreased growth in the infant. Reduction of let-down is reported when the mother drinks heavily. Alcohol may reduce the baby's sucking time at the breast but not the volume of milk consumed.

It is not necessary to express breastmilk to clear it of alcohol; as the mother's blood levels fall, the level of alcohol in the breastmilk will decrease.

Binge drinking (more than 6 units of alcohol in one period), may make you less aware of your baby's needs. If you have drunk enough alcohol to make you feel disorientated or cause vomiting you should not be caring for your baby without supervision from a sober adult. You should ideally express for comfort and to maintain your supply - although this may be the last thing on your mind!

Chronic consumption of alcohol is more likely to cause harm than occasional social drinking.

NB It is vital that mothers who have been drinking alcohol should never let themselves be in a situation where they might fall asleep with the baby; on a bed, chair or settee (this would also apply to other carers who have been drinking alcohol). The place of sleep is a bigger risk than the fact that the mother has been drinking unless her consumption has been very high.

Drinking alcohol reduces the ability of the mother to be aware of her baby's needs, whether she is breastfeeding or not. It is safest to ask someone else to care for the baby.

Other websites

NHS Breastfeeding and drinking alcohol. - Your pregnancy and baby guide www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/breastfeeding-alcohol/

Guidelines from the NHS

Anything you eat or drink while you're breastfeeding can find its way into your breast milk, and that includes alcohol.

If you regularly drink as much as 14 units per week, it's best to spread your drinking evenly over 3 or more days.

If you wish to cut down the amount you drink, a good way to help achieve this is to have several drink-free days each week.

Fourteen units is equivalent to: 6 pints of average-strength beer, 10 small glasses of low-strength wine

Use Alcohol Change's alcohol calculator to check your units: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/interactive-tools/unit-calculator
©Dr Wendy Jones MBE, MRPharmS and the Breastfeeding Network March 2021

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Alcohol and Breastfeeding - The Breastfeeding Network

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This information can also be viewed as a PDF by clicking here. Breastfeeding mothers can have occasional, small amounts of alcohol but should not drink regularly or heavily (e.g. binge drinking) without considering how to limit the baby's exposure. If you drink any alcohol DO NOT bed share with your baby or fall asleep in [...]

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telford@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk

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This can be a useful technique to maximise milk transfer, especially if baby gets distracted or frustrated as milk flow slows.

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As new parents, we suddenly find ourselves examining our babies' poo more closely than we could ever have imagined. We pay attention to the colour, quantity, texture and smell, and notice the slightest changes. We then go to the internet looking for answers and fear the worst. There are many versions of normal, and we will share some of these below.

When your baby is born, your colostrum (first milk) has laxative and diuretic compounds in it to make your baby wee and poo. In the first few days your midwife and health visitor will ask how many wet and dirty nappies your baby has had, so you may find it helpful to take note of how many nappies you change.

Your baby may not poo much at first but this will increase as your milk comes in. For an idea of how many poos to expect, see https://www.laleche.org.uk/is-my-baby-getting-enough-milk/#dirtynappies

It can be tricky to tell if disposable nappies are wet - after five full days, when copious milk comes in, they should be heavy.
Many disposable nappies have a faint line down the middle of the nappy which changes colour when wet.
You can feel what a properly wet nappy should feel like by putting three tablespoons (45ml) of water onto a clean, dry one. Urine should be pale and mild smelling.
This post on signs of effective feeding has more information.

Pictures 1-9 below show the contents of one baby's nappy in the first few days of his life, to give you an idea of what to expect from a healthy, full-term baby. If you have any concerns about your baby's poo, or if you see blood in the nappy (beyond the first few days, when baby girls can have a mini period caused by birth hormones), don't hesitate to contact your midwife, health visitor or GP.

Picture 1
Baby's first bowel movement, called meconium, is tar-like, sticky and hard to remove.

Picture 2
Baby's second bowel movement.

Picture 3
Poo from the first day of baby's life. Reddish pink urate crystals are visible in this nappy; see picture 10 for more about urates.

Picture 4
Bowel movement on day two. Your baby's poo will gradually change colour, from black to green to brown. It becomes a lot easier to wipe off as your baby begins to drink more milk.

Picture 5
Day three bowel movement. Looking a lot paler, heading towards a yellowish colour, and much less sticky.

Picture 6
Day four bowel movement.

Picture 7
Day five bowel movement.

Picture 8
Day six bowel movement.

Picture 9
Day ten bowel movement. By this age most fully breastfed babies' poo will be this pale yellow colour. It is common for babies to have what are described as "explosive" poos, which may take you by surprise if your baby poos while you are changing her nappy!
The following pictures show some ways in which your baby's poo may look different from the typical pattern shown above.
Picture 10
In the first few days, you may see reddish pink crystals called urates in your baby's nappy. They are often described as looking like brick dust. As your baby begins to take more milk, the urates should stop appearing in her nappy.

Picture 11
Sometimes your baby's poo may be light green rather than yellow, and have small lumps in it like cottage cheese. This is common and not significant by itself, unless your baby has other symptoms that you are worried about.

Picture 12
This poo came from a three-week-old baby who was given Gaviscon because of reflux. When the medication was stopped, the baby went back to having runny yellow stools.

Picture 13
After the 12-week injections this baby had green poo, which went back to being yellow after a few days.

Picture 14
This dark green poo came from a baby who was later diagnosed with cow's milk protein intolerance.

Picture 15
This poo, containing mucus, came from a baby diagnosed with allergies. Mucus in the poo is also common when a baby has a heavy cold, but this should be temporary and should stop when the baby is well again. If your baby's nappy has persistent or unexplained mucus in it, seek medical advice.

Picture 16
As your baby starts to eat solid foods, you will see the results in his nappy. It is common for your baby's very first foods to come out looking almost exactly as they did when they went in, as his digestive system is not used to dealing with these other foods yet. This is much easier to spot if your baby is eating finger foods rather than mashed food; the mashed foods are passing through semi-digested in the same way, but are less obvious in the nappy.

With time, your baby's poo will gradually change from yellow liquid to soft brown lumps, and you won't generally see pieces of food. However, some foods are hard to digest and tend to pass through the body unchanged (even for older children or adults). This picture shows an 11-month-old's nappy with partially digested grapes visible in it. Strongly coloured foods (like blackberries or beetroot) can also affect the appearance of your baby's wee and poo.

Written by Amanda Dunbar and Emma Taylor for LLLGB, 2017

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As new parents, we suddenly find ourselves examining our babies' poo more closely than we could ever have imagined. We pay attention to the colour, quantity, texture and smell, and notice the slightest changes. We then go to the internet looking for answers and fear the worst.

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Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative | Positioning and attachment

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First Steps Nutrition Trust is an independent public health nutrition charity. They cover information on infant milks and eating well for children 0-5 years (and during pregnancy)

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

Our Mission

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

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

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

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

Our Resources:

Are put together by nutrition experts and are regularly updated.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Birmingham Women and Children's Hospital Human Milk Bank

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Birmingham Women and Children's Hospital Human Milk Bank

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Human Milk Bank

Our Human Milk Bank is the only one in the West Midlands, providing donor breast milk to our own neonatal babies, as well as to hospitals around the region and beyond. We offer donor milk to support mothers while they are establishing their own milk supply, or if they are unable to provide their own milk due to geographical separation or maternal illness.

We actively encourage and support our mothers to provide their own breast milk to their sick and premature babies, as research demonstrates a reduction in infection and other problems due to its unique composition and special anti-infective properties. This increases their chances of survival as well as helping their long term development.

Who can donate breast milk?

Mothers who have established breast feeding with their own baby and find they have surplus milk to their baby's requirements. Enrolment as a donor must be before your baby is six months old and you can continue to donate until your baby is 12 months old. On initial contact the milk bank team will ask some general questions about your health and lifestyle, and the health of your baby. There are certain reasons which will exclude you from becoming a donor, such as smoking or taking certain prescribed medicine.

Blood tests are required to ensure infections or viruses will not be passed on via your milk. Although you will have blood tests during pregnancy, milk banks are required to take them again for their own records.

If you would like more information about donating or have any questions, please contact us on 0121 335 8245 or bwc.milk.bank@nhs.net.

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Our Human Milk Bank is the only one in the West Midlands, providing donor breast milk to our own neonatal babies, as well as to hospitals around the region and beyond.

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Evidence based sleep information including bed sharing image bank

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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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A series of photos and information explaining laid back breastfeeding

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Here is a series of photos showing laid back breastfeeding - click on an image to click through as slides. Our thanks to C and her baby for allowing us to take the photos to share with you.

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Photos of laid back breastfeeding - Cambridge Breastfeeding Alliance

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Here is a series of photos showing laid back breastfeeding - click on an image to click through as slides. Our thanks to C and her baby for allowing us to take

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National Breastfeeding Helpline is available 24 hours a day for up to date, evidence based support: 0300 100 0212

Note the groups below are not run by the Breastfeeding Network and range from trained support from IBCLC's to parent led social groups.

Shrewsbury:

Latch and Latte, 2nd Tuesday of a month @ Palmers 10-11:30

Shropshire Breastfriends- Wednesdays 11:30-12:30 at Heartleys by Katie SY2 5ST

Welshpool: https://www.facebook.com/welshpoolbreastfeedingsupport/

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Apply online for our volunteer training opportunities

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At the heart of our organisation are our volunteers who give their time to support other families in their communities and over the helplines. We currently have over 650 volunteers across the UK of all ages and from all backgrounds. You can give a few hours every week, or each month or offer to help with a specific task or event for a short period of time, it is completely up to you.

Some people volunteer to give something back as a thank you for the support they received, others do it to meet new people or gain experience that might help them find a job. Whatever your reasons we would love to hear from you. Our volunteers make us who we are and enable us to support thousands of families each year, why not join us!

If you would like to volunteer your time to support other mums with breastfeeding you will first need to complete our Training. This helps us make sure that the support and information our volunteers offer is safe, up to date and consistent across the UK.

We would love to be able to offer training to everyone who asked, but unfortunately, this is not possible due to funding. This means we may not have training available in your area or you may need to wait for several months before you can get a place on a course.

We provide two levels of training designed for mums who have breastfed to become registered BfN volunteers. This can be provided as part of a Peer Support projector as a stand-alone activity, to increase breastfeeding awareness and support in a specific area.

All our peer support training is accredited by OCN London and is delivered by trained BfN tutors. You will work through the training as part of a group. This enables you to share experiences and develop relationships with other women training to volunteer in your local area or across the UK.

BfN training is open to all women who have personal experience of breastfeeding their own babies. It is open to mothers of all ages and background; to enable them to widen their knowledge, skills and experience to support breastfeeding within their communities or remotely.

BfN is committed to promoting equality and diversity and to eliminating discrimination in our training and coordination of volunteers. We will always look to make reasonable adjustments and to provide additional support so as to ensure that our training is accessible to everyone.

What do you get when you train with us?

All workbooks, manuals, course materials and other resources to help you support mums and families

The opportunity to complete training as part of a group of mums who have breastfed

Support from a trained BfN Tutor

Assessment and internal moderation of completed coursework

Peer support from other trainees on the course and the opportunity to develop a supportive network

Registration and accreditation with Open College Network (London)

BfN ID badge and OCNL certificate upon completion

Full complimentary membership of BfN for two years (see here for full details) - including DBS and PVG checks, low-cost or free entry to our annual conference and subscription to our quarterly BfN News

Insurance to volunteer on behalf of BfN

Regular supervision (usually monthly) and ongoing support

Ongoing training and opportunities for further development (Helpers can train to become Supporters and Supporters can go on to train as Supervisors and Tutors)

The opportunity to work as a registered volunteer which can be useful work experience when applying for paid employment, also with a reference from a national charity

BfN Helper Course (Peer Supporter)

This is our first level of training for volunteers. By completing the course you can hope to achieve:

The knowledge to support other mums with breastfeeding

A nationally recognised, Open College Network (London) accredited qualification (two units at Level 2, equivalent level to GCSEs in England and National 5s in Scotland)

The opportunity to continue training to become a BfN Registered Breastfeeding Supporter

Training to become a BfN Helper volunteer is free and may include a crèche facility.

BfN Registered Helpers (peer supporters) can volunteer in a variety of different ways: in BfN breastfeeding drop-in groups, in hospitals, schools and in antenatal classes.

The course itself usually consists of twelve 2 hour sessions which are traditionally delivered face to face at a local community venue. We are currently developing a more blended approach. This combines the same excellent support from an experienced BfN tutor and access to an accredited course using an online format. The online course includes around seven group tutorials delivered via video call.

There is also a version of the BfN Helper Course aimed specifically at training peer supporters to be able to volunteer in the neonatal unit.

BfN Supporter Course

BfN Registered Helpers may go on to do a second stage of training if they wish. On completion of this second level of training you would become a BfN Registered Supporter. You would develop the skills to work more independently and to offer phone support on the National Breastfeeding Helpline (NBH).

The BfN Supporters course consists of at least two units at OCNL level 3, with the opportunity to complete a further unit (equivalent level to GCE A levels in England and Highers in Scotland and worth up to 12 credits). There are 13 group sessions delivered face to face or as online video calls over around 6 months. Trainees are expected to complete 13 assignments which are then assessed and moderated. This course may be delivered entirely face to face or using a mix of online training and group video call tutorials.

Availability of Training

Courses accepting applications just now are listed below. If there is no course listed for your area at present, please to go to our Peer Support Projects page where you can view individual project pages and contact details.

Please refer to our Volunteer Recruitment Policy for more information about how the process works.

If your area is not listed it is unlikely that we are currently offering training near you. We are developing new courses, including online training, and information will be made available here on the website and on social media so please keep checking back.
If you would like to tell us more about why you would like to train please complete this form to register your interest.
We will keep these details on file and we will try to let you know of any new courses that may be of interest. Any information you provide will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

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Train to be a registered BfN volunteer - The Breastfeeding Network

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At the heart of our organisation are our volunteers who give their time to support other families in their communities and over the helplines. We currently have over 650 volunteers across the UK of all ages and from all backgrounds. You can give a few hours every week, or each month or offer to help [...]

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Can I continue breastfeeding when I return to work?

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Can I continue breastfeeding when I return to work?

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Breastfeeding continues to provide health benefits for you and your baby. Every feed is of value.

Breastfeeding is a great way for you and baby to relax and reconnect at the end of the working day.

The familiarity of breastfeeding can ease the change that returning to work brings to you both.

Breastmilk is free and the perfect natural and normal food for your baby.

You won't need to buy or prepare formula.

"I've returned to work now twice, full time. My first child was bottle-fed so I was apprehensive the second time about how breastfeeding would go when I returned. I had excellent information from a breastfeeding counsellor about different options and I'm really happy that I kept breastfeeding and working."

Your options
Depending on the age of your baby, your work pattern and your preferences, you're likely to have a number of options to choose from. Talk to other mothers who have successfully worked and breastfed. You can also talk through your options by calling the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212.
What will baby drink, and how?
Do you want your baby to have expressed breastmilk, formula, water or a combination of these when you're apart? The needs of a very young baby whose mother is returning to work full time, will be different to that of an older baby whose mother is returning part time. A baby of eight months who has started taking solid food, will have less need for milk while you're at work, and can have some water in a beaker rather than milk as long as breastfeeding is plentiful for the rest of the time.

Babies don't necessarily need a bottle, although for a baby under around five months, bottles may be the most practical solution. An older baby may be happier with a plain or soft spouted beaker, or a cup with a straw. Some families like to get baby used to drinking from a cup/bottle before mum returns to work. It may help to get someone else to do this for you since some babies refuse cups or bottles from mum. The person who's going to be looking after your child may be a good option for this.
Expressing at work?
Some mums want to express at work, and some don't. Expressing at work is easier in some jobs than in others. However, even if you don't express while you're at work, and you decide to use formula, breastfeeding can continue while you are with your baby. It's not all or nothing.

If you're planning to express milk for your baby, practise can really help. Don't be put off if you only get a few drops at first. Remember too that if you're expressing in addition to full breastfeeding, there might not be much extra milk to express. When you're back at work, expressing will be in place of a feed and you'll have more milk available to express. If you're going to be able to express regularly during the working day, you won't need a large supply of frozen milk, as you should be able to express enough milk each day for the following workday. This will allow you to keep up your supply and provide fresh milk for your baby. However, some mums like the reassurance of having some frozen milk in reserve for an emergency, or if baby needs more milk than anticipated on any given day.

Try to express at regular intervals while you are at work, ideally when your baby would normally feed. It can help to have photos of your baby with you as looking at them or thinking about your baby, while expressing, can help the milk to flow.

If you're not going to be expressing at work, it's still useful to know how to hand express if you find yourself feeling full.

See our article Expressing Breastmilk for some more tips on expressing, storing breastmilk, and keeping equipment clean.
Different days, different patterns
Don't feel that baby must have the same feeding pattern every day. Many mums continue to breastfeed as usual whenever they are with their baby, while baby drinks from a cup or bottle when she's at work. Once established, your milk supply is very flexible, so you can do different things on different days.
Plan with your employer
Be open with your employer, talk with them, and put your needs or requests in writing. Maternity Action ( www.maternityaction.org.uk) has lots of information to help you and your employer. If you're going to be expressing, find out if there are adequate facilities: you'll need somewhere private, and shouldn't be expected to use the toilet. You may be able to use a medical room or a vacant office for example. Discuss breaks for expressing milk, and dedicated space in a convenient fridge to store it in. If this is new territory for your employer, they might find Maternity Action's information helpful. If your employer is unhelpful, contact your union rep or Maternity Action.

Health and safety legislation should safeguard your health. By not breastfeeding, you're at a higher risk of developing certain health problems. It's in your employer's interest to help safeguard your health while at work. There are also rules about exposure to hazardous chemicals, the Health and Safely Executive (www.hse.gov.uk) has information about this.
Childcare
Explore how different options will fit into different working patterns, such as childcare close to your work or nearer to your home. Childcare close to work might mean that you can fit in a feed or two during the working day. Make sure that your chosen carer knows what you need them to do. For example, to use 'paced bottle feeding' if baby's going to be using a bottle; how to store and use expressed milk; or not feed baby just before you're reunited, so that you can breastfeed straight away.

"I could only get a few drops of milk with my hand pump when my baby was small but when I went back, I found it much easier. The first day the milk took a little while to come, possibly because I was a bit anxious, but after that it wasn't a problem. I used to express about five ounces every lunchtime and put the bottle in an ice cream carton in the fridge."
What about when I actually return?
Some mums start work near the end of the week so that mum and baby can adjust gradually to the new routines.

Expect your baby to feed more often when you are at home, at least at first. Your baby will need to do this to increase your milk supply again after you have been apart, and to 'welcome you back'. Arrange a little extra help if possible or ignore household chores for a bit.

Some babies will 'reverse cycle', meaning that they catch up for missed feeds by feeding more at night. As long as baby is feeding frequently when you're with them, a longer gap without breastmilk during the day is normally nothing to worry about - instead of going a longer period without feeding at night, this is just happening during the day.

You may leak a little until your body adjusts to a new pattern, so remember breast pads when you first return to work, and it may be an idea to wear patterned clothing at first.

Get your bag and the baby's things ready the night before to give you both a little extra time in the mornings.
Planning your return to work can feel very daunting. In practice, many mums find that the transition back to paid work goes more smoothly than they expected.

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The confusion over the rights of breastfeeding women who want to take lactation breaks challenges both mothers and employers.

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Skin-to-skin contact - Baby Friendly Initiative

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

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

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

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

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

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Ending Your Breastfeeding Journey - Some Approaches to Parent-Led Weaning

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Ending Your Breastfeeding Journey - Some Approaches to Parent-Led Weaning

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Making the decision to end breastfeeding
Breastfeeding support is all about helping you to breastfeed for as long as you want to. We want families to reach their breastfeeding goals, and that means Breastfeeding Supporters are here for parents at the end of their breastfeeding experience, as well as at the start. Some families want to breastfeed for years. Some want to for months or weeks. If you are able to make the decision with the right information and feeling supported, we have done our job.

We want to make sure that you make the decision to end breastfeeding in a way that you will have peace with in the future. If you are struggling with breastfeeding, it may be that the right support can resolve issues and you can continue breastfeeding happily. We would want all avenues to be explored if the idea of ending breastfeeding is an unhappy one.

Are you hoping that ending breastfeeding might improve your child's sleep? It's important that parents understand what's normal when it comes to how babies sleep: "No difference in night wakings or night feeds was found between mothers who were currently breastfeeding or formula feeding ... Breastfeeding has no impact on infant sleep in the second 6 months postpartum." (Brown and Harries 2015)

You might have been told you have to end breastfeeding to take a medication and the Drugs in Breastmilk Information Service can provide evidence-based information on the compatibility of breastfeeding and medications. Sadly, parents are often misinformed.

It can be valuable for you to talk through your decision to end breastfeeding before starting the process. A breastfeeding supporter can help you reflect on your decision, as well as help you take some practical steps to get the process started. Every family's journey will be different because every child and parent's relationship to the breast is different. There is no 'one size fits all' approach to ending breastfeeding. In some families, the breast is at the heart of parenting. A mother might breastfeed throughout the night and day to meet her child's emotional needs in a host of different ways. In other families, a child might be feeding a couple of times a day, and even then, only when offered. You can see those families will have very different experiences around the weaning process. However, there are some general guidelines about starting the transition to ending breastfeeding.
Weaning under 12 months
If your baby under 12 months is ending breastfeeding, their nutritional requirements will obviously need to be the highest priority. A baby of around 7-9 months who is taking solid food reliably will still need around 600 ml (20 oz) of formula in 24 hours (NHS Better Health Start for Life 2023). From around 10-12 months, if we can assume that solids have become more established, we're expecting still around 400 ml (13 oz) of formula in 24 hours. If a young baby is feeding roughly eight times in 24 hours (it could easily be more), then we would start by looking at the formula total needed over 24 hours and dividing by eight. If day one means one bottle of 30 ml of formula at some point in the day (perhaps before a breastfeed), when everyone is in a good mood, that is a good place to start. If that volume increases gradually until one feed is entirely with the bottle, we might then pause for a couple of days to let breasts adjust and to consider next steps. Dropping one breastfeed no faster than every three days feels sensible to reduce the risk of breast health problems.

What kind of bottle is best? Parents often get pulled down a rabbit hole when it comes to this question. If a family is ending breastfeeding, we have less need to consider which bottle is protective of breastfeeding. There is not one 'best' bottle. We are looking for the bottle which is affordable, easy to buy where a family lives and with replaceable teats that are also easy to find.

What about choosing the type of formula? Any 'First' formula is appropriate and babies do not need 'follow-on' formula.

"All infant formula have to be of a similar composition to comply with UK compositional requirements and all brands are nutritionally adequate for infants. If a substance was found that was definitely beneficial for infant health that could be added to infant formula, it would be in all infant formula by law." (First Steps Nutrition Trust 2021)

After 12 months, full fat cow's milk can be given as a main drink. With a younger baby, giving milk in a bottle is likely to be a first choice. We want all bottle feeding parents to be confident with a technique known as responsive bottle feeding (sometimes referred to as paced bottle feeding) which can help the feed to be a time for connection and communication and reduce the risk of over-eating. However, the NHS recommend that families move away from bottles from around 12 months, and that means some older babies will be moving from a breast directly to a cup. We want families who use powdered formula to understand that the powder may contain bacteria and other pathogens and there are careful recommendations about how to make up a bottle safely. ( https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/feeding-your-baby/bottle-feeding/how-to-make-up-a-feed/making-up-a-feed/)

When we talk about a baby under twelve months transitioning from breastfeeding, it is easy to get wrapped up on dropping breastfeeds and discussions of milk volume, but we must never lose sight of the fact that breastfeeding was about connection and an exchange of love and physical affection too. It was about oxytocin. We still want that oxytocin creation to happen. We are not just changing how a baby is fed but adding in a new method of feeding AND lots of opportunities for physical affection. Bottle feeding can happen skin-to-skin and there's lots of time for snuggles and connection.

Whatever age a baby is when breastfeeding ends, we need parents to be prepared for some possible impacts on them. Ideally, the transition from breastfeeding to exclusive bottle feeding happens gradually. If you have been producing a full milk supply, it is going to take time for your body to get the message that the order has changed. If that isn't handled carefully, at the very least we could be looking at engorgement and blocked ducts. In more serious cases, we could be increasing the risk of mastitis and abscesses. A gradual weaning process means it's more likely that the body will adapt. The grape-like lobules in the milk storage areas can feel lumpy under the skin and this can be frightening if you have spent months, or even years, associating lumpiness with blocked ducts. Milk storage areas that remain full are doing some important jobs. Fullness is part of the natural process which slows milk production. However, this is a balance, and we want the reduction to be as comfortable as possible. Breasts need to be well supported (but not squashed). Pain relief may be helpful. Cool compresses, and even cabbage leaves, may also provide relief. There are physical adaptations that are needed, but also emotional ones. You might experience 'weaning blues' even if you very much wanted to end breastfeeding. Your body is adapting to a change in hormones. Previously, with every breastfeed, there was a release of oxytocin. Your body may miss that, and you may have some other complicated feelings alongside the end of breastfeeding. It's important for you to be gentle with yourself and reach out for support if you need to.
Weaning an older toddler
Let's imagine we are talking about ending breastfeeding an older child. We start with doing some thinking about this child's relationship to the breast. Are they more likely to ask at a particular time of day? Or when you are engaged in a certain activity? Are they hungry for food or hungry for connection? Once we understand when requests for a breastfeed are more likely, we can reflect on what a child will need to replace breastfeeding. The act of weaning is not simply the act of removing breastfeeding. Many new things often need to be added in. We can think of breastfeeding as being like the 'Swiss army pen knife' of parenting. It contained so many different tools and met so many different needs. Now you are taking it out of your tool belt, and you're going to need to replace it with some new things. Some parents will learn to parent in different ways. Your child may need new ways to ask for help in emotional co-regulation. They may need a new language that helps them feel empowered and in control of their world. They may need a new language of sleep and getting to sleep. They may need help to find ways to say, "I'm feeling a bit vulnerable, and I need to check in with you."

It may be that breastfeeding is the tool a child uses to physically calm themselves. It is how they wind down when they are buzzing. It is also often used as a tool for sleep. It makes biological sense when you think that breastmilk contains hormones that aid sleep for any age - for both the nursling and the parent. Nurslings of any age can enjoy breastfeeding as a way to transition to sleep, whether it is for a nap, at bedtime or after waking in the middle of the night. Breastfeeding might also be their decompressing tool when they feel overwhelmed at other times. They may be experiencing physical pain or feeling unwell. They may feel afraid.

Weaning is not a battle of parent versus nursling. It is trying to find a new world together, with compassion, that meets the needs of everyone. A lot is going to depend on the age of the child, but if your child is verbal and is able to understand what you are saying, they can be a partner in your process. You might start with conversations in daily life that explain milkies don't last forever for everyone. These conversations can happen long before they are personalised to say, 'One day, YOU will not have mummy milk.' We want your child to understand that one day breastfeeding ends and that can be hard, but it ends for everyone eventually. In the park, you might point out an older child on a skateboard, 'I wonder how old he is. I think he's about ten. I wonder how old he was when he stopped having mummy milk and how he felt about that?' A parent might talk about people in the supermarket, characters in the background of picture books or television friends. Does Peppa Pig still have mummy milk? It is never discussed so we assume not. I wonder how old she was when she stopped? How does she get to sleep now? What does she do when she wants to feel close to mummy pig?

Reading picture books about weaning can also be an extension of this conversation. For many young children, reading a book is a time where they are most likely to focus, and the repetition is ideal to embed new concepts. You may like to go one step further and make your own weaning book. Using online photo companies, it's possible to create individualised books using family photos with familiar phrases, that give everyone a sense of ownership of the process. Young children often like to see photos of themselves, and you can include photos of their sleeping space, special toys and their favourite foods and activities.

Alongside reading picture books, eventually the time comes to put the theory into practice. You will need to explain to your child that one day milk will go away FOR THEM. You might share pictures of early breastfeeding and share memories. You might talk about how you have loved breastfeeding and how special it is and how you will find it hard to say goodbye too. This conversation doesn't just happen once but is sprinkled throughout some days at different times. It might happen at the park or during dinner. Ideally it happens at times when emotions are steady to start with, and there is time to explore feelings that arise. A child as young as 18 months or two years old may not be able to articulate, or even fully comprehend what is being said, but repetition may help and it makes sense to try and offer some explanation, rather than underestimate their level of understanding. It is important that you reflect on how you will explain to their child WHY breastfeeding is going away. Some parents struggle with doing this authentically. You will see stories online of parents rubbing their nipples in unpleasant tasting foods or even chilli oil (ouch). Breastfeeding has been such an honest and beautiful connection. If a parent has breastfed their child for several years, it seems a shame to end it with something inauthentic, and something they may later look back on with suspicion. Are we really protecting them?

Many parents fear speaking honestly. They want to say things like, 'milk is going away because you are getting older' or 'I think we will both sleep better if we don't have milk at night.' Neither of those concepts really make sense to a child. Why is milk going away? Being 'older' or 'a big boy' doesn't mean they don't need you! They may feel they sleep better at night because they have milk. They don't want a parent to do this for them! If a parent can find a starting place that is truthful, they will be able to continue with that honest communication. You might say something like, 'My body is going to stop making milkies' or 'my boobies are tired, and my body is tired and I'm going to help you say goodbye to milkies. I know it will be hard and sometimes you might feel angry and sad that boobies are going away, but mummy cuddles will always be here.'

A nursling who is weaning reluctantly has every right to be angry. Just as you have a right to wean, your nursling has the right to be angry and disappointed. It is important that they understand the feelings they express are to be validated. There is a misunderstanding by some that validation is a tool we use to calm children down. When we say, 'I understand', that we are actually hoping it is enough to stop them being upset, but in fact things might be more painful initially. A child who knows that their feelings are being listened to and recognised, is eventually going to be in a better place.

It is sometimes said that distraction is a valuable weaning tool. I have said it myself in the past. For much younger children, it can be useful as you seek to meet their needs in other ways as quickly and as effectively as possible. It is natural to not want to imagine that a child is experiencing pain. If there is a way to avoid seeing distress or anger, that sounds like an ideal scenario. However, distraction shouldn't be about pretending weaning isn't happening. We are not aiming to wean and hope they don't notice.

The psychotherapist Philippa Perry describes how distraction 'can be an insult to a child's intelligence': "What message does distraction convey? Imagine you fall over and badly graze your knee how would you feel if your partner, instead of being concerned or interested in the pain or the blood or the embarrassment, pointed out a squirrel or promised that you could play your favourite video game?" (Perry 2019)

Distraction is attractive in the short term. It might feel like a handy short cut, but this may not be the best time for short cuts. Of course, it does depend on what a child's motivations for wanting the breast are. Ideally, if distraction does happen, it should be on-topic and meeting the underlying need. If your child is requesting connection and time with you, then offering a different loving focused activity isn't distraction so much as offering a new way to meet the same need. However, a child who is asking for connection, and is instead offered a screen and a snack, is not having that need met respectfully.

If we see weaning from breastfeeding as a time to add in new parenting tools and new languages, what can that look like in practice? A new language around thirst and nutrition is about providing opportunities. Does the child have a cup they can use independently that is within easy reach? Do they have a way to request snacks or to explain when they feel hungry? All they may be skilled to do in that situation is to ask for a breastfeed.

Giving a child a new language to ask for connection and affection is often at the heart of weaning from breastfeeding. When a child continues breastfeeding beyond infancy, the dialogue of requesting a breastfeed and having that need met can feel powerful and wonderful. The most important person in their lives is pausing and meeting their request. When they have that urge for parental love and a sign of affection, they have the tools to do that. If that tool is taken away and no alternative is given, the risk is that the child feels not only rejected but also disempowered and destabilised. That was the only way that they knew how to ask for a physical sign of love. It was the only way they knew how to say, 'Hey I need you for a moment!' Can your child ask for a cuddle? Do you ask them for a cuddle? What other kinds of physical affection do you model in your home and have words for? You may want to add in more times for attachment play and power reversal play, where your child feels in control and taking the lead. Attachment play may only last for 10-15 minutes but it's a time when you give your child your focus and your energy.

A feed that is sometimes difficult to drop is the reconnection feed that happens when a child is reunited with their parent after a day of nursery and work. That feed is a powerful moment of a child decompressing at the end of a long day and celebrating seeing the parent again. Some children will arrive home full of energy, and high energy connective play and physical games may meet a need. Some are tired and are looking for a moment of peace. Activities like a hand massage or head and shoulder massage can be special, and the nursling might take the role of the facilitator and the expert. Dens are a great tool to give little people a sense of fun and excitement. You can create a cuddle nook which may be a tent or a home-made den, with cushions, bean bags and fairy lights. This isn't a place where breastfeeding happens but where reading and cuddling and other kinds of physical connection occur. It would be sensible to discuss in the morning what will happen at the reunion. Another caregiver could mention it and remind the child during the day. The parent might even be able to speak to them on the way home via a video call to prepare them for what is going to happen.

Alongside introducing a new language around connection and physical affection, other boundaries around breastfeeding are progressively being put in place. Breastfeeding might still happen in the day, but only in certain places. Perhaps no longer on a particular chair or restricted to a less interesting and stimulating room. You might agree to do a feed for a short period of time and then offer a different activity that may be more appealing. If you are saying, 'not right now', you can give them a choice about what might happen instead to help them feel they have some control over the process.

What about night weaning? What can be helpful is the concept of habit-stacking (a term used by Lyndsey Hookway). We want the child to have more than one association with safe and soothing bedtime and the process of falling asleep. Then as the breastfeeding is removed, they are left with something familiar that already helps their brain to think, 'Ahh, yes, sleep time now.' After all, being a creature of habit is a normal human state of affairs. Adults would also not be thrilled if our familiar routine was yanked out from under us overnight. Parents can introduce one or two additional habits alongside breastfeeding. It is something that involves the parent, so they are still offering co-regulation once the breastfeeding goes. It will differ for every child. Some would be irritated by stroking or patting and may prefer something auditory. A parent might choose a gentle phrase that can be repeated. They might tell a narrative along the lines of, 'You are sleeping now. Mummy is sleeping now. Granny is sleeping now. Cats are sleeping now. The birds in the trees are sleeping now.' When it later comes time for night weaning, the parent can add in, 'Boobies are sleeping now.' Some families might choose gentle singing or a white noise machine with ocean sounds.

For older nurslings, a guided meditation can also be a valuable tool at bedtime and the peaceful language repeated during the night in smaller chunks. An older child may also be able to express an opinion on what they would like to use as their additional sleep habit. At the same time, it can be useful to have conversation in the day about the process of falling asleep, to help reinforce that this is a process that involves an element of choice. How does Daddy fall asleep at night? How does a friend? What do they do when they can't fall asleep easily? A parent might role play falling asleep with cuddly toys during playtime. What is teddy going to choose? And teddy might be angry with Mummy because booby isn't happening throughout the night. A parent might 'play bedtimes', where they are the child, and the nursling becomes the parent. Or original roles might be maintained, and the parent offers alternatives to the breast. Role play can be a useful way to work through emotions.

Breastfeeding toddlers often haven't attached to a cuddly toy at bedtime. Why would they? The parent is their cuddly toy. However, it might be useful to introduce a transitional object for the first time, to provide one further means of support if night weaning is going to happen. Again, with an older nursling, this is something they may to like have agency over. A parent might explain that one day boobies will go away, and they can choose a new friend to be with them at night to help them.

In the nights prior to the onset of night weaning, daytime conversation is valuable. This is not something that comes out of the blue. However, weeks of preparation are unlikely to be helpful. Being gentle is not always the same thing as being very slow. A young child is unlikely to have a sophisticated sense of time and concepts like 'next month' or even 'next week' are fairly meaningless. Something like 'in a few days' might be more useful. You might discuss it on the bus, walking back from the park, at dinner time. You could eventually remind their child that, 'tonight is the last night that booby happens all night. Then tomorrow booby is sleeping at night.' Or you might say, 'tonight is the last night booby happens all night. Tomorrow, we can only do two boobies at night.' You remind them that it will be hard, and you will be there to help them. Then the during the day, prior to the big night, there are lots of reminders.

What is important is to emphasise that you will be there to support your child, whatever they are feeling. We are not implying that we are asking them to be a 'good boy' or to 'try hard'. Equally, the next morning, we are not praising them for not being upset. All feelings are welcome because the child is loved unconditionally. If you have a partner, they can provide important support for both of you, but it is not ideal if your approach to weaning involves you stepping away entirely and leaving your partner to take over (or for you to leave the home entirely). Your child is scared and experiencing their first major loss in their life. They need to know they are not losing you entirely. You are there to support them through this loss. And you'll also need to practise your new skills of providing comfort and co-regulation. Sometimes when parents do attempt to use separation as a weaning technique, it can leave a child feeling more vulnerable and even more desperate for breastfeeding to continue. Sometimes there is no alternative other than to face difficult feelings and to be there for your child during their time of loss.

Ending breastfeeding is hard. Even the most careful and loving parent who approaches the weaning process sensitively and gently may find it upsetting and difficult. Just as we make space for little people to feel sad, we may need to allow ourselves to have mixed feelings too. As AA Milne says (as quoted in the weaning book, 'Booby Moon' by Yvette Reid): "How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." Then, when you are done, take a moment to look back and celebrate your breastfeeding achievement. Remember those early days and weeks. Remember the special times. IBCLC Glenni Lorick says that parenting is a 'series of weanings'. This has probably been your first. Well done for getting through it.
Emma's book: SUPPORTING THE TRANSITION FROM BREASTFEEDING: A GUIDE TO WEANING FOR PROFESSIONALS, SUPPORTERS AND PARENTS will be published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers soon.
References:

1. Brown, A. and Harries, V. (2015) 'Infant sleep and night feeding patterns during later infancy: association with breastfeeding frequency, daytime complementary food intake, and infant weight.' Breastfeeding medicine 10, 5, 246-252. doi: org/10.1089/bfm.2014.0153

2. Drugs in Breastmilk information service: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/detailed-information/drugs-in-breastmilk/

3. NHS Better Health Start for Life (2023) What to Feed Your Baby. UK: NHS Public Health England. https:/www.nhs.uk/start4life/weaning/what-to-feed-your-baby/7-9-months/

4. First Steps Nutrition Trust (2021b) Infant milks: A simple guide to infant formula, follow-on formula and other infant milks. London: First Steps Nutrition Trust. https://www.firststepsnutrition.org/parents-carers

5. Perry, P. (2019) The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did). London: Penguin. P.79

6. Hookway, L. (2021) Still Awake: responsive sleep tools for toddlers to tweens. London: Pinter & Martin.

7. Reid, Y. (2021) Booby Moon: a weaning book for toddlers. New Zealand: Yvette Reid.

8. Lorick, G. (2009) 'Life is full of weanings', Conservative Granola Mommies, 2 March. https://conservativegranolamommies.blogspot.com/2009/03/life-is-full-of-weanings.html.

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Ending your breastfeeding journey: some approaches to parent-led weaning - The Breastfeeding Network

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Emma Pickett IBCLC Making the decision to end breastfeeding Breastfeeding support is all about helping you to breastfeed for as long as you want to. We want families to reach their breastfeeding goals, and that means Breastfeeding Supporters are here for parents at the end of their breastfeeding experience, as well as at the start.

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© 2023 The Milk Bank at Chester - Registered Charity No. 1050015

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Some babies sleep much more than others. Some sleep for long periods, others in short bursts. Some soon sleep through the night, while some don't for a long time.
Your baby will have their own pattern of waking and sleeping, and it's unlikely to be the same as other babies you know.

It's also unlikely to fit in with your need for sleep. Try to sleep when your baby sleeps.

If you're breastfeeding, in the early weeks your baby is likely to doze off for short periods during a feed. Carry on feeding until you think your baby has finished or until they're fully asleep. This is a good opportunity to try to get a bit of rest yourself.

If you're not sleeping at the same time as your baby, don't worry about keeping the house silent while they sleep. It's good to get your baby used to sleeping through a certain amount of noise.

How can I get my baby used to night and day?

It's a good idea to teach your baby that night-time is different from daytime from the start. During the day, open curtains, play games and don't worry too much about everyday noises when they sleep.

At night, you might find it helpful to:

keep the lights down low

not talk much and keep your voice quiet

put your baby down as soon as they've been fed and changed

not change your baby unless they need it

not play with your baby

Your baby will gradually learn that night-time is for sleeping.

Where should my baby sleep?

For the first 6 months your baby should be in the same room as you when they're asleep, both day and night. This can reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Particularly in the early weeks, you may find your baby only falls asleep in your or your partner's arms, or when you're standing by the cot.

You can start getting your baby used to going to sleep without you comforting them by putting them down before they fall asleep or when they've just finished a feed. It may be easier to do this once your baby starts to stay alert more frequently or for longer.

If you use a baby sling to carry your baby, make sure you use it safely. The Lullaby Trust has information about swaddling your baby and using slings safely.

Establishing a baby bedtime routine

You may feel ready to introduce a bedtime routine when your baby is around 3 months old. Getting them into a simple, soothing bedtime routine can be a great opportunity to have 1-to-1 time with your baby.

The routine could consist of:

having a bath

changing into night clothes and a fresh nappy

putting them to bed

reading a bedtime story (see more in Baby and toddler play ideas)

dimming the lights in the room to create a calm atmosphere

giving a goodnight kiss and cuddle

singing a lullaby or having a wind-up musical mobile you can turn on when you've put your baby to bed

brushing their teeth (if they have any)

As your child gets older, it can be helpful to keep to a similar bedtime routine. Too much excitement and stimulation just before bedtime can wake your child up again. Spend some time winding down and doing some calmer activities, like reading.

How much sleep does your baby need?

Just as with adults, babies' and children's sleep patterns vary. From birth, some babies need more or less sleep than others. The list below shows the average amount of sleep babies and children need during a 24-hour period, including daytime naps.

Newborn sleep needs

Most newborn babies are asleep more than they are awake. Their total daily sleep varies, but can be from 8 hours up to 16 or 18 hours. Babies will wake during the night because they need to be fed. Being too hot or too cold can also disturb their sleep.

Sleep requirements at 3 to 6 months old

As your baby grows, they'll need fewer night feeds and will be able to sleep for longer. Some babies will sleep for 8 hours or longer at night, but not all. By 4 months, they may be spending around twice as long sleeping at night as they do during the day.

Baby sleep at 6 to 12 months

For babies aged 6 months to a year, night feeds may no longer be necessary and some babies will sleep for up to 12 hours at night. Teething discomfort or hunger may wake some babies during the night.

Sleep requirements from 12 months

Babies will sleep for around 12 to 15 hours in total after their first birthday.

2-year-old sleep needs

Most 2 year olds will sleep for 11 to 12 hours at night, with 1 or 2 naps in the daytime.

Sleep requirements for 3 to 4 year olds

Most children aged 3 or 4 will need about 12 hours sleep, but this can range from 8 hours up to 14. Some young children will still need a nap during the day.

Coping with disturbed nights

Newborn babies invariably wake up repeatedly in the night for the first few months, and disturbed nights can be very hard to cope with.

If you have a partner, ask them to help. If you're formula feeding, encourage your partner to share the feeds. If you're breastfeeding, ask your partner to take over the early morning changing and dressing so you can go back to sleep.

Once you're into a good breastfeeding routine, your partner could occasionally give a bottle of expressed breast milk during the night. If you're on your own, you could ask a friend or relative to stay for a few days so you can get some sleep.

Dealing with baby sleep pattern changes

All babies change their sleep patterns. Just when you think you have it sorted and you've all had a good night's sleep, the next night you might be up every 2 hours.

Be prepared to change routines as your baby grows and enters different stages. And remember, growth spurts, teething and illnesses can all affect how your baby sleeps.

If your baby is having problems sleeping or you need more advice about getting into a routine, speak to your health visitor.

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There are so many different brands of bottles and teats, that choosing one can feel confusing. Here’s a round-up so you can decide what’s best for you and your baby.

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Zainab Yate explains the often complicated phenomenon of nursing aversion. To hear more, come along to BfN's annual conference on Saturday 2nd October, where Zainab will be giving a talk entitled, "Help! Breastfeeding Makes Me Feel Sad, Mad and Bad." Tickets for this virtual event are available here.
Many mothers and those who support them do not know that they can experience negative emotions associated with breastfeeding. In modern society breastfeeding is often used - problematically - to exemplify myths about motherhood and maternal love, and is bound up with ideas of what makes a 'good mother'. In this context nursing aversion and agitation - intense, distressing feelings that are experienced by the mother during breastfeeding - can be both unexpected and hugely upsetting, particularly when women may have already overcome significant challenges in order to breastfeed. In a new book on the subject, When Breastfeeding Sucks, Zainab Yate examines what we know about this poorly understood aspect of infant feeding. Here she sets out the 10 most common misconceptions...

1. Breastfeeding mothers who experience aversion do not always want to stop breastfeeding!

Breastfeeding or Nursing Aversion (aversion) is when breastfeeding appears to trigger particular negative emotions like anger and agitation, skin-crawling sensations and an overwhelming urge to de-latch. You can also feel like a prisoner when breastfeeding or have thoughts of pushing your nursling off you and running away. Although it creates an emotional burden for mothers, and a strain on their breastfeeding relationship, mothers do not often want to 'just stop breastfeeding'. What most of them desperately want is for aversion to go away.

2. Aversion can strike at any point in any breastfeeding mothers journey.

Whilst many in the infant feeding and mothering world knew that aversion can strike when a mother is breastfeeding while pregnant or when she is feeding an older nursling, it can actually happen at any point in a breastfeeding journey - with some mothers experiencing it at the newborn stage. Even though there is a strong argument that aversion is a natural biological trigger to start the weaning process in older nurslings, if you experience aversion and your nursling is under 12 months old, milk is their main source of nutrition so it is best to seek advice from an infant feeding specialist.

3. One reason for aversion could be oxytocin!

In some mothers, it is possible that they have a negative association to breastfeeding, whether it is due to being a survivor of previous sexual abuse, childhood trauma or simply because the start of their breastfeeding journey was very painful or challenging for many weeks, even months. I argue that these can cause a stress response due to the oxytocin, instead of loving, calming feeling it is well known for when breastfeeding. This is because oxytocin actually plays a role in stress regulation, and can cause fear and stress in negative experiences as it activates a part of the brain that intensifies the memory.

4. Some mothers self-harm in order to continue to breastfeed through aversion if they find breastfeeding painful.

This is known as the gate control method, a scientific theory that asserts the activation of nerves which do not transmit pain signals can stop or interfere with signals from pain fibres. So digging your nails into your thighs or biting down on your hand can inhibit the perception and therefore the sensation of pain in your nipple when breastfeeding. Many mothers in this predicament seem to instinctively do this. This would be a particularly severe level of aversion, as aversion can be experienced on a spectrum. If you feel like this, please seek advice from a health care professional or infant feeding specialist.

5. Aversion is different from Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER)

D-MER is a medical condition that can be diagnosed in a breastfeeding mother when her letdown causes her to feel negative emotions like despair, despondency and hopelessness. It lasts a few minutes and is dissimilar to aversion as the latter can last throughout a whole feed, whether it is 2 minutes or 2 hours - like the breastfeeding-to-sleep-marathon that can happen at night. Mothers can, however, experience both, and I believe if you struggle with D-MER you are more likely to experience aversion due to the added difficulty you experience when breastfeeding.

6. Misdiagnosis can occur with aversion.

Some mothers have sought help and advice from their doctors about their aversion when breastfeeding, but because some of the symptoms of negative emotions are similar to post-natal depression, and because they have just had a baby, health care professionals had wrongly assumed they must be post-natally depressed. If you are otherwise managing fine in day to day life and your emotions, and your difficulty with breastfeeding is just when your nursling is latched, or if anti-depressants the doctor prescribed you do not help your aversion, return back to your doctor and asked for proper screening, assessment and support.

7. Weaning and stopping breastfeeding can be just as hard as carrying on!

Breastfeeding cessation can be very difficult for mothers with aversion because of compounded guilt and shame that they experience in the aftermath of their negative emotions. Even if breastfeeding mothers who experience aversion do decide to wean, many can be surprised at how difficult it is to wean, both practically (if they have a particularly boob-attached nursling), and emotionally, as mothers have to process the feelings of guilt and shame around the negative emotions, and separate that with the guilt of stopping. Understanding that aversion is actually a reasonable response to an intolerable situation, what can alleviate or lessen aversion, and what the weaning process entails can help you get through it.

8. Mothers with aversion fear they are harming their nurslings

So many mothers I support are concerned about having aversion when breastfeeding - that it will harm their nurslings because of the nature of the emotions - but there is no evidence to show this happens. Whether it is feeling stressed or angry when breastfeeding, or even weaning earlier than you or your nursling want due to severe aversion, there is no evidence to indicate there is any long term harm caused to your nursling due to this. We all know the benefits of breastfeeding both mentally and physically as there is a lot of research about this, but we must understand these facts in the context of the research. These studies and statements are about when breastfeeding is going well. With severe aversion and breastfeeding challenges, it is questionable whether all the benefits of breastfeeding and bonding remain, and we know the research shows that when breastfeeding is hard or painful mothers are actually more at risk of post-natal depression.

9. Aversion can lessen or even go away for some mothers

For mothers who figure out their triggers, make lifestyle changes, improve their sleep hygiene, eating habits or use supplements like magnesium, aversion can abate and for some, it disappears as quickly as it reared its ugly head. There is always something you can try, and accessing our free online structured support course on www.breastfeedingaversion.com, or our peer-to-peer support group 'Aversion Sucks' on Facebook to get tips and tricks from other mothers struggling can instantly help you deal with aversion.

10. You don't get aversion with every nursling.

Sometimes mothers worry that because they experienced aversion with their first nursling they will automatically get it again, but this isn't always the case. As I outline my biopsychosocial theory of the phenomenon of aversion in my book 'When Breastfeeding Sucks', I cover why some physiological, psychological and societal causes can mean you experience aversion. I believe forewarned is forearmed, and the second or third time around as a breastfeeding mother you know more and are more empowered to protect yourself against things that can compromise your physical and mental health and therefore to protect you against aversion.
This blog was originally published on www.breastfeedingaversion.com, and is reproduced here with the permission of the author. Zainab Yate BSc, MSc (Medical Ethics & Law, Imperial College London, UK) is a biomedical ethicist, clinical hypnotherapist, independent researcher and campaigner. Zainab is vice-chair and named qualitative lead of a London Research Ethics Committee, with the Health Research Authority (HRA) and has a background in public health and commissioning with the National Health Service (NHS). She published the first peer-reviewed study looking specifically at breastfeeding/nursing aversion and agitation in 2017 and has published the only book on the topic with specialist publishers Pinter & Martin, London. Zainab has been a breastfeeding peer supporter with the NHS for a number of years and is the owner of the only resource site for mothers and healthcare practitioners on aversion (www.breastfeedingaversion.com), she has helped tens of thousands of women and families when breastfeeding triggers negative emotions - both Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex and aversion, through her advocacy, free structured support course and peer-to-peer support groups.
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#BfNConf21 Guest Blog: 10 Things You Don't Expect About Nursing Aversion - The Breastfeeding Network

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Zainab Yate explains the often complicated phenomenon of nursing aversion. To hear more, come along to BfN's annual conference on Saturday 2nd October, where Zainab will be giving a talk entitled, "Help! Breastfeeding Makes Me Feel Sad, Mad and Bad." Tickets for this virtual event are available here.