Koala North West - Building a Happy Baby by Sophia Falkingham

Starting Well Sessions

sophiafalkingham — 2023-03-02 11:52:23 UTC

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

Koala North West

sophiafalkingham — 2023-03-02 11:57:54 UTC

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

How do I know that my baby is hungry?

sophiafalkingham — 2023-03-02 12:02:07 UTC

Getting to know your baby

sophiafalkingham — 2023-03-02 12:06:05 UTC

Local breastfeeding support

sophiafalkingham — 2023-03-02 12:12:24 UTC

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

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

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

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

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

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

Starting Well services to support parents

sophiafalkingham — 2023-03-02 14:46:59 UTC

For more information about support services contact your health visitor

Mummy Yoga free well being walks

sophiafalkingham — 2023-03-02 14:51:27 UTC

Support for parents with young children

sophiafalkingham — 2023-03-02 17:46:40 UTC

Meet ups for parents

sophiafalkingham — 2023-03-02 17:53:04 UTC

The benefits of Babywearing

sophiafalkingham — 2023-03-02 17:57:51 UTC

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

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

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

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

https://slingsandsupportwirral.org.uk/

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

National Breastfeeding Helpline

sophiafalkingham — 2023-03-06 09:29:00 UTC

Preparing for baby's arrival

sophiafalkingham — 2023-03-06 09:47:53 UTC

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

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

Chapter

sophiafalkingham — 2023-03-07 16:51:24 UTC

Support for mums

sophiafalkingham — 2023-03-08 08:34:36 UTC

Baby Massage

sophiafalkingham — 2023-03-08 08:39:52 UTC

Breastfeeding - more than just milk

sophiafalkingham — 2023-09-12 07:04:24 UTC

sophiafalkingham — 2023-09-12 07:20:55 UTC

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

Breastfeeding in public

sophiafalkingham — 2023-09-12 07:24:58 UTC

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

Skin to skin contact - meeting your baby

sophiafalkingham — 2023-09-12 09:12:02 UTC

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

Free library events

sophiafalkingham — 2023-09-12 09:31:54 UTC

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

Groups to support Dads in Chester

sophiafalkingham — 2023-09-12 09:39:09 UTC

Free inter-generational group, Ellesmere Port

sophiafalkingham — 2023-09-12 09:43:17 UTC

What's going on in Neston for new families

sophiafalkingham — 2023-09-12 09:43:49 UTC

Support for parents struggling with unsettled or crying babies

sophiafalkingham — 2023-09-12 13:00:14 UTC

Local Hospital Infant Feeding Teams

sophiafalkingham — 2023-11-08 08:20:03 UTC

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

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

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

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

UNICEF

saraatherton — 2024-05-15 15:43:33 UTC

Wirral Family Tool Box

saraatherton — 2024-05-15 15:44:33 UTC

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

Positioning and latching baby on for breastfeeding

saraatherton — 2024-05-15 15:46:22 UTC

Baby brain architecture

saraatherton — 2024-05-15 15:47:15 UTC

Hand expressing

saraatherton — 2024-05-15 15:48:08 UTC

Family Hubs Wirral

saraatherton — 2024-05-15 15:48:38 UTC

Koala North West Groups

saraatherton — 2024-05-15 15:49:26 UTC

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

Safe Sleep

saraatherton — 2024-05-15 15:50:52 UTC

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

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

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

saraatherton — 2024-05-15 15:52:29 UTC

Expressing and Storing Breastmilk

saraatherton — 2024-05-15 16:01:15 UTC

Connecting before birth

saraatherton — 2024-05-15 16:02:45 UTC

Self attachment of a baby straight after birth

saraatherton — 2024-05-15 16:03:42 UTC

Breastmilk and formula composition

saraatherton — 2024-05-15 16:07:26 UTC

Latching

saraatherton — 2024-05-22 10:18:08 UTC

How baby attached to the breast for an effective feed

Breast compressions

saraatherton — 2024-05-22 10:19:36 UTC

Effective swallowing at the breast

saraatherton — 2024-05-22 10:24:41 UTC

Hands on pumping

saraatherton — 2024-05-22 10:24:59 UTC

Creating a birth

saraatherton — 2024-07-15 10:31:33 UTC

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

Healthy Start Programme

saraatherton — 2024-07-23 09:00:22 UTC

Healthy start vouchers. Please read

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

saraatherton — 2024-09-09 09:28:48 UTC

Breastfeeding positions and latching video

saraatherton — 2024-10-25 11:26:20 UTC

Learn more about Starting Well support across Chester and Cheshire West

saraatherton — 2024-10-25 11:27:54 UTC

Helpful videos about pregnancy and labour

saraatherton — 2024-11-01 15:36:26 UTC

Paced Bottle feeding

saraatherton — 2025-02-06 17:51:19 UTC

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

Pain during feeding

saraatherton — 2025-02-10 13:30:50 UTC

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

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

Engorgement and blocked ducts and mastitis

saraatherton — 2025-02-10 13:33:07 UTC

NEW mastitis treatment

saraatherton — 2025-02-10 13:35:14 UTC

New guidance on treating mastitis

Breast refusal....when my baby wont breastfeed

saraatherton — 2025-02-10 14:12:38 UTC

Eating well in pregnancy and breastfeeding

saraatherton — 2025-02-10 14:19:57 UTC

FREE Women's Health App

saraatherton — 2025-02-10 14:23:31 UTC

Koala North West further services

saraatherton — 2025-02-14 06:01:07 UTC

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

Parent infant foundation

saraatherton — 2025-02-14 09:49:53 UTC

videos, information and evidence about you and your baby

Coping with baby crying

sophiafalkingham — 2025-06-11 12:47:12 UTC

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

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

Bathing your baby

sophiafalkingham — 2025-06-11 12:48:31 UTC

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

sophiafalkingham — 2025-06-11 12:53:35 UTC

Free hypnobirthing techniques and information

sophiafalkingham — 2025-06-11 12:56:45 UTC

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

Looking after yourself - information about perinatal mental health

sophiafalkingham — 2025-06-11 13:07:24 UTC

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

Breastfeeding Peer Support

sophiafalkingham — 2025-06-11 13:19:56 UTC

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

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

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

sophiafalkingham — 2025-06-11 13:44:35 UTC

Wirral families can book on to Koala North West's Building connections course. You can also attend local breastfeeding groups or book a home visit for further support preparing to breastfeed baby

sophiafalkingham — 2025-06-11 14:45:23 UTC

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

Using a dummy

sophiafalkingham — 2025-06-12 12:43:04 UTC

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

Swaddling

sophiafalkingham — 2025-06-12 12:44:20 UTC

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

Where should your baby sleep - information about products

sophiafalkingham — 2025-06-12 12:46:39 UTC

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

What if I think my baby is unwell?

sophiafalkingham — 2025-06-12 12:57:46 UTC

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

Koala Facebook breastfeeding support groups

sophiafalkingham — 2025-06-12 13:16:09 UTC

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

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

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

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

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

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

Information about formula feeding

sophiafalkingham — 2025-06-12 13:25:09 UTC

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

Support preparing for birth for neurodivergent parents

sophiafalkingham — 2025-06-26 13:58:11 UTC

sophiafalkingham — 2025-11-12 10:06:22 UTC

Safer sleep for twins and multiples

sophiafalkingham — 2026-01-07 07:22:52 UTC

There is some additional safety information for parents of multiples

Babywearing tandems and multiples

sophiafalkingham — 2026-01-07 07:25:20 UTC

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

Immunisations

sophiafalkingham — 2026-03-12 12:25:26 UTC

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

Breastfeeding Twins

sophiafalkingham — 2026-03-12 12:46:21 UTC

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

How do I know that baby is breastfeeding well?

sophiafalkingham — 2026-05-14 15:12:08 UTC

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

saraatherton — 2026-07-07 16:44:46 UTC

Dad Pad App for dads and partners