We are committed to supporting you and your family in whatever infant feeding choice you make. However, we would recommend breastfeeding as your choice of infant feeding and seek to help and support you in anyway we can.

Things which may help:

1.Find out as much as you can in the antenatal period:

• talk to your midwife or health visitor
• make contact with peer support groups, and breastfeeding groups in your area
• read through a copy of 'A Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding' available from your midwife.
• use the internet e.g. Baby Friendly Website
• click here for a list of useful contacts

2. Try Antenatal hand expression of your breasts from 37 weeks pregnant - ask your midwife for help.

3. Make a plan as part of your birth plan.

• Try to avoid use of drugs which may affect your baby's ability to breastfeed well
• Uninterrupted skin to skin contact after birth of your baby really does help.
• Think about giving a first breastfeed even if you are planning to bottle feed.

4. Think about breastfeeding bras and breast pads before you have your baby.

5. Sort out lots of help for when you get home - if someone else is doing the housework you have more time to concentrate on getting breastfeeding off to a good start.

Breastfeeding is great for the whole family. Have a go - and enjoy it!

Click here to download "A Parent's Guide to a joint hospital / community breastfeeding policy."

Click here to download  "Baby and you: Your breastfeeding journey."

Breastfeeding Network's Supporterline number
BfN Supporterline - 0300 100 0210
National Breastfeeding Helpline - 0300 100 0212
Bengali / Sylheti Supporterline - 0300 456 2421
Drugs in Breastmilk Helpline - 0844 412 4665

Infant Feeding Cafe

Every Thursday 2-4pm in the Parent Education department at the City Hospital Campus, we run a infant feeding drop in session/clinic foccusing on providing infomation, friendship and support to antenatal and post natal women booked or delivered at either campus.

Click here to download a poster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I express my breasts antenatally?
Do I need a breastpump?
What about skin to skin contact?
Will I get sore nipples?
Will I have enough milk?
If I need medication in labour will it affect my breastmilk?
Bottle feeding

Should I express my breasts antenatally?
Yes, a great idea.  Have a go from 37 weeks pregnant.  Don't worry if colostrum (first milk) doesn't appear at first.  Ask your community midwife for help.  It's a great way to get familiar with your breasts and how they work.  In some cases it's very helpful to collect and store any available colostrum e.g. if you are a woman with  diabetes and your baby will have special nutritional needs at first.

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Do I need a breastpump?
No, not necessarily.  You may choose to get one later, for example if you return to work whilst breastfeeding but it is not necessary.  Wait and see.

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What about skin to skin contact?

What does Skin to Skin contact mean?

This is when you hold your naked baby close to you, skin to skin, as soon as possible after birth.

Your midwife will dry your baby and place him or her onto your naked chest, then cover you with a clean towel or blanket, to keep you both warm.

Ideally it should last for a minimum of 1 hour or until after your baby has had a first feed.

Why is this important?

As well as being a great way to get to know your baby in a relaxed and calm atmosphere it also helps you baby to adjust to life outside of you.

• It helps calm your baby and helps to steady his or her breathing and heart rate
• It helps to keep your baby warm: this will maintain your baby's blood sugar
• It helps you start bonding with your baby
• Your baby will cry less
• It helps your baby initiate his or her first feed.

How does it help babies to breastfeed?

Studies have shown that babies left in unhurried skin to skin contact with their mothers for up to an hour actually crawl towards the breast, latch on and start to suckle by themselves.

What if I don't feel up to skin to skin contact?

You can still have the baby in skin to skin contact if you have to have stiches, your midwife will ensure you have adequate pain relief and will check on your baby frequently. However, if you really don't feel you can have skin to skin contact straight away, your partner can have skin to skin contact with your baby. Many fathers really enjoy this as they feel they become very close to their newborn baby.

What if I don't want to breastfeed my baby?

All babies should have skin to skin contact with their mothers, regardless of how they will be fed. However, when your baby is in skin to skin contact, you may find you want to give your baby the first feed, which will be rich in nutrients and antibodies.

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Will I get sore nipples?
The best way to avoid sore nipples is to ensure baby is feeding in the correct way (see 'The Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding' - available from your midwife).  Sore nipples are not a natural part of breastfeeding but you will need help to ensure they do not develop.

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Will I have enough milk?
If the baby is feeding correctly at the breast and is allowed to feed as often as he or she wishes you will have enough milk for not just 1 but even 2 or 3 babies!  It is unusual not to be able to produce enough milk. Remember it is a natural thing to do for both you and your baby.

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If I need medication in labour will it affect my breastmilk?
Sometimes you may be advised to have medication in labour.  It will be possible to breastfeed even if you do because drugs are chosen to avoid the risk of affecting breastmilk.  If you needed a drug which was unsuitable, which is unlikely, you would be informed.  Some medication e.g. Pethidine given in labour affects the baby directly, though temporarily, in that the baby may initially be a bit sleepy and unwilling to feed.  In this case you may need to express your breasts and give the milk to your baby until he or she is ready to breastfeed.

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Bottle feeding

If you are planning to bottle feed:

1. Consider giving a first breast feed - skin to skin contact is still important.

2. Don't feel pressured, we are here to help. It's ok to give as few or as many breast feeds as you wish. Any breast milk is good for your baby.

3. Don't worry about having a go at breast feeding - If it is not right for you it's ok to stop.

4. Get it right. It is really important to make up bottle feeds correctly. Cleanliness is very important, you should make up only one bottle at a time as you need it. Avoid storing milk. Practice making up bottles and sterilising equipment before giving birth to your baby if you are thinking of bottle feeding.

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