Breastfeeding your baby

Breastfeeding is the natural and healthy way to feed babies. It provides all the nutrients he or she needs for the first six months of life, giving children a better start and reducing the risk of illness. Breastfeeding can also bring health benefits to mothers.

The longer babies are breastfed the greater the benefit and it is now recognised to be beneficial to exclusively breastfeed babies, with no need for supplementary food or drink, for the first 6 months of life.

We have created this map to help make it easy to find your local support group.
 

Baby and you: Your breastfeeding journey Here’s how you and your partner can get breastfeeding support from pregnancy to birth and beyond. Your midwife will be able to support you in your journey.

Breastfeeding case studies

Bump to Breastfeeding DVD

The Bump to Breastfeeding DVD follows the journeys of real women from pregnancy and is designed to encourage women to breastfeed, describing the benefits and offering hints and tips to help women through any difficulties they may encounter.

The DVD is available to view online at: www.bestbeginnings.org.uk

Local information and support

There is lots of support and information available from local midwives, community health visiting teams and children’s centres in Norfolk, who give advice to mothers, their partners and families.

For links to support groups and baby cafes in your area, visit the NHS Norfolk HERON website or call the NHS Norfolk Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 587 4132.

National Health

National Breastfeeding Helpline
Speak with a trained volunteer about the benefits and how to do it.
Call 0300 100 0212 (9.30am-9.30pm) or visit www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk 

Breastfeeding Network Supporterline
Chat with a mum who has received intensive training on breastfeeding.
Call 0300 100 0210 (9.30am-9.30pm) or visit www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk

National Childbirth Trust
Get support through pregnancy, birth and the early days of parenthood.
Call 0300 330 0771 (8am-10pm) or visit www.nct.org.uk

La Leche League
For mother-to-mother breastfeeding support from pregnancy to weaning.
Call 0845 120 2918 (evenings and weekends) or visit www.laleche.org.uk 

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
Find tips and guidance on breastfeeding techniques that benefit baby and you.
Call 08444 122 949 (9.30am-10.30pm) or visit www.abm.me.uk

Start4Life
Get up-to-date advice on breastfeeding, introducing solid food and active play.
Find the latest resources at http://www.nhs.uk/start4life/Pages/Welcome-to-Start4Life.aspx

More information

For additional help and advice, call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 or visit www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk

Visit NHS Choices to view a video which shows breastfeeding techniques and describes the health benefits for mother and baby.

Visit the Best Beginnings website to view the From Bump to Breastfeeding video.

Important documents

The East of England Breastfeeding Framework for Action sets out how NHS Norfolk and its health and social care partners will work together to support and encourage mothers to breastfeed their babies.

The Breastfeeding Strategic Action Plan has been developed across acute and community settings to give direction and support and to help organisations progress towards UNICEF Baby Friendly standards.

The Joint Hospital and Community Breastfeeding Policy includes a Parents' Guide to the policy which is also available in an easy read version and a range of other languages.