Alder Hey (Assessment & Tongue-tie treatment)

Whiston (Diagnosis, referral, treatment)

LWH (Assessment & Tongue-tie treatment)

If you are having feeding problems and suspect tongue tie please call the BAMBIs team on 01512336874.

BAMBIs are unable to diagnose tongue but they can refer to a professional for assessment.

If you have a formal diagnosis you may be able to self-refer/be referred to other NHS hospitals outside of your local area for treatment (e.g. Chester)

https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/breastfeeding-information/mastitis-breastfeeding/

The programme also provides a nurturing environment where parents can engage with their young ones, while also receiving valuable guidance to foster a secure and loving atmosphere for the next generation.

Contact the Team

Tel: 0151 702 4293

carol.murray2@lwh.nhs.uk

julie.butler@lwh.nhs.uk 

What is our Parent-Baby Service? 

 Becoming a new parent is a life-changing experience that, while it might be lovely, can feel a little bit overwhelming. There’s so much to take in, and sometimes it’s just not how you imagined it to be. You might feel more anxious than usual, feel confusing or difficult emotions, or feel like you’re struggling to adapt to the big changes going on in your life. We get it, and whether you’re pregnant or your baby’s already been born, our Parent-Baby Service is here to help you navigate your thoughts and feelings as a new parent.  

 Ways we can support you

We’re here to give you free, non-judgmental support with whatever you’re thinking or feeling about being a parent. 

We’ll support you to: 

• Address any little worries you might have, so they don’t become bigger ones 

• Become more ‘in tune’ with your baby 

• Build a positive, lasting bond with your baby 

• Become more confident with your baby 

• Cope with a difficult birth or pregnancy, or if your baby was conceived in difficult circumstances 

• Understand any confusing feelings you might be having 

• Grow into your role as a parent 

• Look after yours and your baby’s wellbeing 

 How will I be supported? 

We’ll support you in a way that suits you. We can offer you the chance to come along to one of our groups where you can meet other parents who are going through similar things, or we can give you 1:1 support.  

Our community team support Liverpool mums through phone calls, text messages, video calls and home visits. We work 7 days per week.

We have used trusted sources as well as opinion-based/peer-informed resources that we have found useful.

Most Trusted (e.g. NHS, World Heath Organisation, Unicef, IBCLC International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, BAMBIS information.)

Opinion-based, Peer-informed, BAMBIS Facebook Peer Forum.

Ultimately you will know best what is right for your well-being, your baby and your family (whatever that may look like).

The Bambis team in the women's where a god send! & I was really struggling to pick up Archie on my own due to my blood levels making me dizzy, so they kindly lent me a pump to express. This eased my mind so much!

We also found out Archie was 80% tongue-tied, thankfully with Rachel's help we where able to get an appointment to release his tongue and i was able to get a good latch with amazing support & 13 months later, I'm still breastfeeding! I honestly can't thank Bambis enough for all the help and support! You are amazing!!

We are a group of parents from Liverpool with real life experience of feeding and feeding challenges and with Bambis support we have created this Padlet. We hope you find it useful and can help support it moving forward with your stories, experiences and any resources you have found to be helpful.
All of our experiences are different, but we are united by a wish to make sure all parents have the best access possible to support for feeding their babies and maintaining their own well-being.

Please contact your local centre for further information.

Alternatively, you can contact Milk Bank At Chester on 01244 362 226 for further information on their Memory Milk Gift initiative.

https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/feeding-your-baby/bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding-your-baby/feeding-on-demand/#paced

Paced feeding

Paced feeding is way of giving your baby more control over feeds.

Babies usually take small amounts of milk and stop for a rest, and then take more. You can help them to "pace" their feeds so that it mimics the way they would breastfeed.

To do this:

1. Start by touching the teat on your baby's top lip, inviting your baby to draw the teat into their mouth.

2. Keep the bottle almost horizontal – just very slightly tipped to prevent the milk flowing too fast.

3. Watch your baby for signs that they are finished or need a break, as this gives them time to feel full and avoid overfeeding.

4. Your baby might become upset when you take the teat away from their mouth. If this happens, try tilting the bottle down with the teat still in their mouth – this will slow down the milk flow, but still feel comforting to your baby.

Never force your baby to finish a feed as this will be distressing and can mean your baby is overfed.

To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) the safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own clear, flat, separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket. However, many parents find themselves co-sleeping whether they mean to or not. Wherever you’re planning for your baby to sleep we recommend making your bed a safer place for baby. The Lullaby Trust information on co-sleeping with your baby will tell you how.

Liverpool City Council and Bambis have developed a quality mark for businesses across the city to sign up to. By signing up, your business has agreed to commit to the following points:

1. We welcome babies to be breastfed in any public area of these premises.

2. A mother, who is breastfeeding, will not be asked to move or stop breastfeeding.

3. We understand that some women prefer privacy when breastfeeding and we will do all we can to help them. Where possible, private areas will be made available for breastfeeding mothers who would prefer privacy to feed.

4. We will always provide at least a glass of water free of charge to any breastfeeding mum and if possible a free tea/ coffee per visit.

5. All our staff will be informed about the ‘LCC Breastfeeding Quality Mark’ scheme and how to be supportive of the needs of breastfeeding mothers and families.

6. We will ensure our staff team are briefed on the World Health Organisation breastfeeding guidelines (in order to understand why supporting mothers to breastfeed in our community is important).

7. We will display the ‘LCC Breastfeeding Quality Mark’ to the public and our staff.

8. We will promote the ‘LCC Breastfeeding Quality Mark’ to other businesses.

9. We will advertise the ‘LCC Breastfeeding Quality Mark’ on our social media sites to encourage more businesses to join the scheme. Digital logo available upon request.

10. We will be committed to offering our support in helping Liverpool increase its breastfeeding rates.

If you have had a positive experience in a shop, café, restaurant or local business please let us know. You can nominate them for our breastfeeding friendly sticker here communitybambis@liverpool.gov.uk

Basis is a project of the Durham Infancy and Sleep Centre (DISC), in the Department of Anthropology at Durham University, UK.

The aim of Basis (the Baby Sleep Information Source) is to provide access to research based evidence about biologically normal infant sleep, in forms that are accessible to parents and health practitioners, supported by references to research relevant to families in the UK. We conceptualise ‘biologically normal infant sleep’ as being the sleep of babies who are exclusively or predominantly breastfed to at least 6 months of age and cared for in a responsive manner. We do not consider sleep training methods that require leaving babies alone for sleep in the first year of life to be biologically normal.

Watch your baby not the clock!

It is really important to follow your baby’s cues when they want to feed rather than looking at the clock or putting them on a feeding schedule. Did you know, from birth, they use cues to let us know.

• Facial movements - furrowed eyebrows

• Mouth opening - lip smacking

• Stretching arms then legs

• Rooting or sucking fingers

• Turning head

• Becoming restless

• Crying is a late sign of hunger

It is important to also remember that we would expect approximately eight to twelve feeds within a 24 hour period.

Wear a vest top that you can pull down and wear a t-shirt that you can pull up. Baby's head will cover your breast when they latch on.

This guide covers your options for continuing to breastfeed your baby on return to work, your legal rights and how to negotiate with your employer.

Going back to work may be the first time you have been separated from your baby for long periods. It can be a difficult time for you and your baby. Continuing to breastfeed is one way to maintain the close relationship you have built up, providing your baby with extra comfort and security. Mothers who feel unhappy about leaving their baby when they return to work often find that continuing to breastfeed helps them to cope better.

There is also good scientific evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding.

Breastmilk protects babies against infections, so babies who are breastfed are significantly less likely to suffer from serious conditions such as gastro-enteritis, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections and ear infections. Breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of later childhood diseases such as eczema, asthma, wheezing and diabetes.

Breastfeeding also protects the mother’s health. Mothers who breastfeed are less likely to develop breast cancer, some forms of ovarian cancer, and hip fractures as a result of osteoporosis in old age.

Responding to a baby’s feeding cues (both of hunger and satiation), whether they are breast or bottle fed is an important step to helping a baby develop not only a secure attachment relationship, but in establishing longer term positive eating behaviours. Read more here in this link. https://kellymom.com/ages/newborn/bf-basics/importance-responsive-feeding/?fbclid=IwAR1-WKKwN6A22FmiWOSmSYXVq7Kk8zw2Aw6LqS3bVcf-dxbSpQrRIrkDfUY

There is a growing body of evidence that skin-to-skin contact after the birth helps babies and their mothers. The practice:

• calms and relaxes both mother and baby

• regulates the baby’s heart rate and breathing, helping them to better adapt to life outside the womb

• stimulates digestion and an interest in feeding

• regulates temperature

• enables colonisation of the baby’s skin with the mother’s friendly bacteria, thus providing protection against infection

• stimulates the release of hormones to support breastfeeding and mothering.

Skin-to-skin contact also provides benefits for babies in the neonatal unit, in that it:

• improves oxygen saturation

• reduces cortisol (stress) levels, particularly following painful procedures

• encourages pre-feeding behaviour

• assists with growth

• may reduce hospital stay

• improves milk volume if the mother expresses following a period of skin-to-skin contact, with the expressed milk containing the most up-to-date antibodies.

Read more about Skin to skin contact here

It's recommended to begin offering foods (alongside milk) around 6 months of age but you can book onto a session before this so you are prepared.

Some centres also offer a 'Meet and Eat' or 'Mini Munchers' session where you are invited to attend with your baby, try new foods and guide you through this stage. Please contact your local children's centre for more information.

This information sheet gives a brief guide to the law and what to do if you are treated unfavourably because you are breastfeeding while out and about with your baby in public places.

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 the 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.

Book onto one of our events arranged with our amazing children's centres.

Babies can play, make friends, mums can ask questions, share experiences and generally support each other.

Staff are on hand to help with position and attachment, hand expressing and answer questions or sign post to the correct support service.

We had an amazing turnout this year. The rain stopped and the sun shined 🤩 Follow us on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook for more photos of the day

I didn’t realise how much breastfeeding meant to me until I was unexpectedly diagnosed with bowel cancer in February this year when my second daughter was 3 weeks old. I was trying to come to terms with my illness, rushing from test to test ahead of surgery and easing into breastfeeding after a challenging start that included triple feeding. Amongst other things, I was upset at the prospect of not being able to breastfeed my baby through treatment. What happened before, during and after urgent surgery to remove part of my bowel was truly amazing. The Hearts Milk Bank generously approved me for donor milk to cover my stay in hospital with additional help from Chester Milk Bank, delivered to my door by a committed Blood Biker. Medics and staff at the Liverpool Royal went above and beyond, considering my situation as a new, breastfeeding mother throughout and implementing practical solutions on the ward. Sarah and the Bambis gave me their constant support.

For anyone pregnant or a new Mum with cancer, the charity Mummy’s Star are brilliant for emotional support. And my husband and family met baby’s needs and more when I couldn’t, including the night feeds. My daughter and I were exclusively breastfeeding again at 3 months and I am so grateful - I couldn’t have done it alone. I now have a stoma and whilst I have to pay extra attention to hydration, it is absolutely compatible with breastfeeding.

To anyone who wants to keep breastfeeding through similar health challenges, I’d recommend being vocal about your needs and concerns within your health and community support network as you will find allies, more personalised care and valuable signposting as well as some realism about what sustaining breastfeeding might require of you. And ultimately - if you don’t end up where you wanted to be with breastfeeding, be kind to yourself and proud of yourself.

#bowelcancer #breastfeeding #newborn #breastfeedingmama #breastfedbaby #breastmilk #surgery #donated #milk #help #guidance #support #health #pregnancy #recovery #stoma #cancer #awareness

Limited spaces

Book your place FREE through this link

https://book.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walkerartgallery/events/4b0d1730-cc74-6407-f3f3-7e6eb880060a

#breastfeeding

Book your place here 💜

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bambis-big-breastfeeding-friendly-sign-up-tickets-1501965793119?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwL0y5RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHmLD1fJiwNPMrln-5zktd2CWttq_p57hlDMmoG8ALWNlyzeZhOGDF2U-WtwM_aem__XoJxp8py3t9w-qrouiUog

Join us for a morning of celebration and fun in Big Art for Little Artists at the Walker Art Gallery!

🗓️ Wednesday 6 August

⏰ 10:00 – 11:30am

📍 Big Art for Little Artists, Walker Art Gallery

As part of World Breastfeeding Week (1–7 August), Bambis will be taking over the space with creative activities, support, and a warm welcome for families.

I first started donating breastmilk in April 2025, 3 months after giving birth to my first baby Poppy. I found the service purely by accident one evening whilst googling ways to use excess breastmilk. I’m extremely lucky in that I have a healthy oversupply so I wanted to look at ways I could use it instead of pouring it away. The process of donating milk is so simple, I already exclusively pumped for my little girl due to tongue tie issues so taking some milk each day to donate was super easy.

The process of signing up was really easy and the Milk Bank team have been wonderful from day one, really supportive and always on hand to send out extra bottles or schedule a pick up.

I am so so proud that I donate breastmilk to the Milk Bank, I tell everyone what an amazing service it is and wish it was more widely known about so more mums can get involved.

The sense of pride I feel each time I fill a bottle is beyond words. To know I’m helping a little baby somewhere or just taking the pressure off a new mum is the greatest feeling ever. My little girl is now 6 months old and thriving, I hope my breastmilk helps lots of little babies thrive too ❤️

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If you would like to donate your breast milk please contact @milkbankatchester for further guidance and information 💜

It's important to use the correct size shield, to monitor your baby’s latch, milk transfer, and feeding progress to ensure that you’re meeting baby's needs while breastfeeding. We hope this leaflet helps support you if you need to use shields.

What is thrush?

Thrush is a yeast infection, usually caused by the fungus Candida albicans. (5) Candida is naturally present on our bodies and usually causes us no harm. It thrives in warm, dark, and moist environments, where it can sometimes multiply enough to cause a problem for the host – a thrush infection. Babies can get thrush in their nappy area, and women can get vaginal thrush. Both babies and adults can get oral (mouth) thrush, especially after taking certain medications, such as antibiotics or asthma inhalers. (6) Thrush doesn’t usually invade deeper tissues, though, unless the person has a weakened immune system. This means that ‘ductal thrush’ (thrush inside the breast) is very unlikely.

Support for You and Your Baby

Our team is here to offer additional help for unsettled babies with feeding issues.

Our Team

Our multidisciplinary team includes three infant feeding specialists with backgrounds in children’s nursing, midwifery, adult nursing, and health visiting, as well as a paediatric consultant and a community paediatric dietitian.

What We Offer

We provide support for the following conditions:

Suspected non-IgE mediated cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA)

Reflux

Infantile Colic

Unsettled or excessively crying babies

You can also message us if you have any questions or concerns on our social media sites Facebook, Instagram, Tik-tok and Threads.