Recommendations for breast feeding are currently to breast feed exclusively for the first 6 months of baby’s life. However, any amount of breast milk has a positive effect. The longer you breastfeed, the longer the protection lasts and the greater the benefits. The World Health Organisation recommends breast feeding should continue for up to 2 years of age and beyond, with complimentary food from 6 months old.
Benefits of Breast Feeding
Breast feeding can be challenging, but there is lot’s of advice and support available.
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.
Local Support
Medway Community Healthcare hold weekly breastfeeding and bottle feeding clinics offering individual consultations. To book an appointment, call the duty Health Visiting number 0300 123 3444 (option 4).
The We Are Beside You website has information and advice on breast feeding and you can find local support groups in Medway.www.wearebesideyou.co.uk/local-breastfeeding-support/
Helplines
- National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0212
- The Breastfeeding Network supporter line in Bengali and Sylheti: 0300 456 2421
- Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 0300 330 5453
- La Leche League: 0345 120 2918
- National Childbirth Trust (NCT): 0300 330 0700
Online Support
- www.facebook.com/Start4LifeBreastfeedingFriend/
- 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 [email protected] or the Drugs In Breast Milk Facebook
More Information
www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/your-questions-answered/
www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/benefits/
www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/the-first-few-days/
www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/positioning-and-attachment/
www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-in-public/
www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/expressing-breast-milk/
www.bliss.org.uk/parents/about-your-baby/feeding/breastfeeding
www.bliss.org.uk/parents/about-your-baby/feeding/expressing