National Breastfeeding Week 2023

National Breastfeeding Week 2023

National Breastfeeding Week is taking place 18-24 September and is an opportunity to highlight the benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby. The campaign will build on last year’s theme, ‘everyone has a part to play in helping mums to breastfeed’.

Breastfeeding is a skill that can take time for mother and baby to get the hang of; getting the right help can help support mums on their breastfeeding journey.

One to One Support

Midwives and maternity support workers are there to help get breastfeeding off to a good start. The maternity team are supported by trained volunteer mums who can provide an extra non-clinical layer of support to new parents.

In Herefordshire, the community team can support infant feeding at home, offering face to face and video support and advice (in addition to your midwife’s ongoing support). You can call the breastfeeding helpline on 07733 264085. Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.  Outside of these hours or for general concerns telephone the triage number for 24 hours advice an support from a midwife on 0799 0986517.

You can find out about all of the support available on the Maternity website, including the complex feeding clinic and tongue tie clinic offered at Hereford County Hospital.  

Local Support

Peer supports offer provide infant feeding support at Children’s Centre’s across Herefordshire

Follow the Herefordshire Breastfeeding Information page on Facebook

24/7 Feeding Support on your Phone

The Anya app is FREE for Herefordshire residents to download and includes the amazing LatchAid breastfeeding tool.

Family, Friends and Partners

Loved ones can be an important source of breastfeeding support who can help make breastfeeding more achievable.

Some ways in which you can support a partner or family member with breastfeeding:

• Attend antenatal / breastfeeding sessions and support their decision to breastfeed
• Provide drinks and snacks
• Offer to cook for the family
• Help with childcare of older siblings
• Give the baby cuddles when they’re not feeding
• Help make feeding comfortable with extra cushions

Breastfeeding in public

Whilst some people may feel a little nervous breastfeeding in public, it’s important to know that it is illegal for anyone to ask a breastfeeding woman to leave a public place. You can read more helpful tips on breastfeeding in public here.

For more information

Talk to the Breastfeeding Friend from Start for Life on Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Facebook Messenger for NHS approved advice and tips

For more information on the benefits of breastfeeding and where to get support visit the Breastfeeding page on the Talk Community Directory.

For information on Infant feeding and caring for your baby visit the Wye Valley NHS Trust page.