National Breastfeeding Week 2023

National Breastfeeding Week 2023 is taking place from 18th to 24th of September! Everyone has a part to play in Breastfeeding!

Breastfeeding provides all the nutrition a baby needs for the first six months and also helps build a strong emotional bond between a mum and her baby. Breast milk also helps boost a baby’s ability to fight illness and infection by passing on the mother’s immune defences.

Breastfeeding is something that a mother and her baby learn together, and getting the right support can help enable mums to breastfeed for longer. 

Remember, it can take a while to feel confident about breastfeeding, but you’re not alone. Your midwife and health visitor are there to help, guide and support you.

There’s also lots of advice available online or via support groups, helplines and websites.

Breastfeeding Friend from Start for Life

The Breastfeeding Friend, a digital tool from Start for Life, offers practical information and advice on breastfeeding. Get answers to questions asked by new mums, and tips on things like sore nipples and what to do if your baby cries during feeds.

Think of it like your health visitor but, because it’s a digital tool, it’s available whenever you need it – all day and all night. The Breastfeeding Friend is available on Amazon Alexa and Facebook Messenger. Click here for more information.

Breastfeeding Helplines

• National Breastfeeding Helpline – 0300 100 0212
• The Breastfeeding Network supported line in Bengali and Sylheto – 0300 456 2421
• Association of Breastfeeding Mothers – 0300 330 5453
• La Leche League – 0345 120 2918
• National Childbirth Trust (NCT) – 0300 330 0700

One-to-one Support

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

If you need to speak to your midwife or health visitor in between appointments, you should find their contact details in your baby’s red book. Ask them to show you the page when you first get it.

Partners and Family Members

Partners and family members can be a hugely important source of breastfeeding support. Everyone plays a unique role in supporting breastfeeding. Could you support with cooking food, running errands, or looking after older children? This can all help to make breastfeeding more achievable as a family.

Here are a few ways you can help to support breastfeeding…

1. Attend antenatal or breastfeeding sessions
2. Make them comfortable with extra pillows
3. Bring them something to drink and a snack
4. Share being involved in baby’s care, e.g. bath time and cuddles
5. Offer to cook food for the family
6. Provide childcare for older children
7. Support their decision to breastfeed

Online Breastfeeding Support

• NHS Pregnancy and Baby Guide
• Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative
• Bliss is a special-care baby charity that provides vital support and care to premature and sick babies across the UK
• The Breastfeeding Network provides breastfeeding support and information
• La Leche League offers mother-to-mother support with breastfeeding
• The Lactation Consultants of Great Britain can help you find a lactation consultant near you
• The Twins Trust has information about feeding twins and triplets
• The National Childbirth Trust(NCT) is a charity that provides information and support on all aspects of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, including breastfeeding
• The UK Association for Milk Banking has information about using donated breastmilk if your baby is premature or ill, and how to donate breast milk
• Drugs in Breastmilk Helpline – get support via email druginformation@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk or the Drugs In Breast Milk Facebook

Top Tips for a Happy Baby

A happy baby isn’t just a fed baby. Every cuddle, smile and interaction counts, for you and your baby. Here are some top tips for keeping your little one happy…

1. Sing songs and rhymes with your baby
2. Talk to your baby about anything and everything
3. See if your baby can copy you when you stick out your tongue
4. Try baby massage

Click here to learn more!

Can you breastfeed in public?

Breastfeeding in public may make you nervous, but you have a legal right to breastfeed anytime and anywhere. Remember, if you are asked to leave somewhere whilst breastfeeding, you’re within your rights to challenge this.

Top tips for breastfeeding in public…

1. You can breastfeed anytime and anywehre
2. If you feel self-conscious, try to remind yourself that you are doing the most natural thing for your baby
3. Look out for Breastfeeding Friendly stickers in windows.

To learn more about Breastfeeding in public, click here.

Breastfeeding and Work

If you’re returning to work, you might wonder whether you can continue breastfeeding. The answer is yes – it’s completely possible! Here are some tips to help you with breastfeeding and going back to work…

1. See if there’s an option for you to work flexibly
2. Try and find childcare close to work so you can breastfeed in your breaks
3. Experiment with mixed feeding – breastfeeding at home and expressing milk at work
4. Your workplace is legally required to provide suitable facilities for you to rest or express (and it shouldn’t be a toilet).