We run 5 online sessions as follows-

*Preparing to Breastfeed

*Plan and Prepare for Parenthood

*Safer Sleep for Babies

*Breastfeeding Your Newborn

*Introducing Solid Foods

For more information, visit our Booking Site-

Book here!

*Collecting colostrum in the early days

*Helping to relieve engorgement

*Assisting a baby to latch

*Relieve discomfort when separated from baby

*Help remove blocked ducts

*Simple and easy way to remove milk in the absence of a breastpump

Watch our video for more information.

Babies ears are fully developed from around 16 weeks gestation where they can hear sounds from inside the womb such as mums food digesting, her tummy rumbling and her heartbeat.

From around 24 weeks gestation baby can hear sounds from the outside world, at amount 50% volume, the sound would be much quieter and muffled.

Now is the perfect opportunity to spend time talking to your baby, singing to your baby, reading books and playing your favourite songs.

It's also a great time to get partners and siblings involved in the bonding process. Baby will get to know mums voice throughout pregnancy, so others spending some time to talking, singing and reading to baby helps them get to know other important people, the start of that secure attachment and bond.

Babies not only respond to the sounds they hear but also to your movements and motion. If they kick, give them a poke back, spend time rubbing your bump and get your partner to massage bump. Some research suggests babies are more likely to respond to their mothers touch as they get to know this early.

Get to know your babies pattern of movements. If there's ever a change in movements and you're at all concerned, please speak to your midwife.

Every parent experiences a mixture of emotions during pregnancy and the arrival of their new baby. Not all parents will experience that rush of love often described. But it can take time to build those feelings and there's lots of things that can be done once baby arrives to build that secure attachment.

Having lots of skin to skin with baby helps release oxytocin for both baby and for the person having the skin to skin.

It's not only recommended for mum to have lots of skin to skin, but also partners and siblings. With the release of oxytocin comes the building of a secure attachment between caregivers and babies. Research shows us the benefits of skin to skin contact for children up until at least the age of 5!

Unicef

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding

How long does this cycle last? Ultimately this depends on why our babies are feeding. We know that breastfeeding is about so much more than nutrition, they go to the breast for comfort, security, reconnection with mum, pain relief and much more. Some babies will even go through this cycle more than once, but our babies are very good at letting us know. In most circumstances we can follow their lead and breastfeed responsively.

If your baby isn't gaining weight as expected or you're experiencing issues with breastfeeding, please seek out some skilled breastfeeding support.

Please speak to your Health Care Provider if you have any worries or concerns about Safe Sleep.

Session Booking - Breastfeeding Together

Free parking available at all sites, with refreshments and plenty of toys out for older children/siblings.

Our Peer Supporter Practitioners can offer support with-

*Latching your baby at the breast

*Breastfeeding positions

*Breastfeeding issues

*Signs of effective breastfeeding

*Expressing and storing breastmilk

*Paced and responsive feeding

*Emotional and practical support

To book a visit, call or text us on 07742234496, or email enquiries@breastfeedingtogether.co.uk

By watching our baby breastfeed we can see how effectively they are able to remove milk. If you have any concerns about whether your baby is getting enough milk, please seek some qualified and experienced breastfeeding support.

Plan and Prepare for Parenthood- Designed to give you all the information you need to make informed feeding choices, to know what to expect and when, packing your hospital bag and more information to help you when your baby arrives. We'd recommend attending this session from 12 weeks gestation.

Preparing to Breastfeed- This session was created for those thinking about breastfeeding, or to help you make your choice about feeding your baby. We talk about the benefits of breastfeeding, how to get breastfeeding off to a good start, how to latch your baby to the breast and how that should look and feel, and how to recognise if your baby is getting enough milk. We'd recommend you attend this session during your third trimester.

Please only book 1 ticket per family, and feel free to bring along anyone who will be supporting you on your journey. The sessions are relaxed and informative with plenty of time for all your questions.

Sessions are held at Family Hubs throughout Bolton Borough, evening and weekend dates are included. We also run sessions online.

Click Here To Book!

The first thing to look at is your positioning, and how we bring baby to the breast. Sometimes the smallest of tweaks can make a huge difference. When a baby breastfeeds, we need them to open their mouth wide, take in a mouthful of breast tissue as well as the nipple, to get the nipple to the soft bit of the palette at the back of the throat. Nothing should touch a nipple when a baby latches and sucks, hence why breastfeeding shouldn't hurt. It's important to enable baby to open their mouth wide, not pushing the head into the breast.

*Reduces overfeeding

*Leaves baby more in control of the feed

*Less instances of wind

*Less instances of vomiting after feeds

*Baby is more settled after feeds

*Reduces the risk of baby developing a preference for the bottle

Please contact us for more information.

Peer support is recommended by the World Health Organisation and forms part of UK NICE guidance on maternal and child nutrition and on routine postnatal care.

The UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative standards require that additional support such as peer support is provided and that services work together to ensure that mothers can get additional help as needed.

All of our Peer Supporters are mothers, they have given breastmilk to their own child/ren and have undertaken additional support to enable them to support others.

However, it is important that you do so safely. You should always follow the T.I.C.K.S. rule and speak to a qualified Babywearing Consultant for fit checks. If you are breastfeeding whilst babywearing it is vital that you return baby to the original position after the feed and monitor baby at all times.

Comforting methods may help (babywearing, breastfeeding, bathing, going for a walk in the pram, etc).

It’s ok to walk away if you have checked the baby is safe and the crying is getting to you. After a few minutes when you are feeling calm, go back and check on the baby.

Never shake a baby.

The Solihull Approach Parenting Groups are designed for parents who would like a better understanding of responsive and effective parenting techniques - this is open to all parents or carers in Bolton with a child under 3.

Through the iThrive programme Families Together offer peer support to parents whose children may be having mental health difficulties (either diagnosed or not). This support is via a drop in group or one to one sessions and can be tailored to meet your needs.

For more information please call 07514 484157.

What are Bolton Family Hubs?

Bolton Family Hubs are community-based centres designed to support families from pregnancy through to young people aged 19 (or up to 25 for those with additional needs). They bring together a wide range of services under one roof, making it easier for families to get the help they need, when they need it.

Rather than navigating multiple services in different locations, Family Hubs provide a “one-stop shop” approach, supporting not just children, but the whole family.

What support is available?

Family Hubs offer a wide variety of services tailored to different stages of family life. These include:

• Antenatal support and preparation for new parents

• Infant feeding and breastfeeding support

• Stay-and-play sessions and activities for babies and children

• Health visiting and wellbeing support

• Parenting advice and guidance

• Support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

• Help with housing, finances, and cost of living challenges

Many hubs also provide access to digital support, including free internet access and devices, helping families stay connected and access essential services.

A network across Bolton

Bolton now has a full network of Family Hubs located across the borough, making support accessible in local communities. These include:

• Alexandra

• Bright Meadows

• Farnworth

• Great Lever

• Harvey

• Oldhams

• Oxford Grove

• Tonge

Each hub offers its own timetable of activities, from baby groups and walking sessions to wellbeing clinics and peer support groups.

Free parking available at all sites, with refreshments and plenty of toys out for older children/siblings.