Postnatal support
Midwives and health visitors: In hospital, your primary breastfeeding support will be the midwives responsible for your postnatal care. Upon leaving hospital, you and your baby will be discharged into the care of community midwives for the first 5-10 days, after which time your baby will be under the care of a health visitor.
Breastfeeding drop-ins and clinics: Specialist breastfeeding support and information, peer support and friendship can be found at local drop-ins and clinics:
• Often free to attend and open to all, no matter what age or stage of breastfeeding.
• Most operate on a weekly basis and in a community setting such as a health centre or children’s centre.
• Staffed either by trained breastfeeding counsellors, health practitioners (midwives, health visitors, lactation consultants), peer supporters, and/or volunteers.
• Details change, so do check the drop-in is open before you travel.
• Do try to visit a few drop-ins as the style and nature of support is different at each, and do visit them as many times as you need.
Doctors: You may need to see a doctor for specific medical conditions related to breastfeeding.
Clapham NCT volunteer breastfeeding counsellors: Lucy Alexander ([email protected]), Sharon George (020 8265 9811), Jenny Hemsley (07764 988551/ [email protected]), Julie Morris (07909 924043).
Breastpump agents: For local hire of hospital grade pumps contact Samantha 020 8877 3611 or direct from the manufacturers Ameda, Ardo or Medela.
Private help
Private help can be obtained from an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Use the search on www.lcgb.org to find a local practitioner.
The London Lactation Consultants are 7 local highly respected NCT & LLL pracitioners who are also IBCLCs. They can be contacted on 07741 476492 or via www.londonlactationconsultants.co.uk.
Antenatal support
Whatever your thoughts about feeding your baby it is worth spending some time pre-birth finding out more about breastfeeding to help with your decision, as well as becoming familiar with the support that is available. Whilst many mothers intend to breastfeed, and some find breastfeeding comes naturally, some experience problems which require expert and timely support to overcome.
Antenatal education: If possible, attend an antenatal class on breastfeeding. Hospitals offer free antenatal education and tours, including workshops on breastfeeding. Clapham & District NCT runs paid-for antenatal courses every month in venues across the branch area, in both evening and weekend formats. All courses include a breastfeeding session, usually taught by a qualified NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor, and a postnatal reunion. Concessions available, enquire with confidence.
Attend a breastfeeding drop-in: Most breastfeeding drop-ins welcome pregnant women. At the Clapham & District NCT's weekly Balham Breastfeeding Café, there are always two qualified breastfeeding counsellors on hand to provide information and support, alongside branch volunteers who provide friendship and refreshments.
You may find that you need additional, ongoing or specialist support from a breastfeeding counsellor. Do seek support quickly and do not suffer in silence.
Helplines and online support: Helplines are staffed by trained breastfeeding counsellors and they can offer support over the phone. Try to call from a landline as calls are directed to the nearest geographically available counsellor based on your home telephone number.
Breastfeeding information can be found on the websites listed below.
Breastfeeding Network Supporter Line 0300 100 0210 (9.30am – 9.30pm) www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk
La Leche League – 0845 120 2918
Association of Breastfeeding
Mothers 0300 330 5453 (9.30am-10.30pm)
NCT Breastfeeding Line 0300 330 0700 (8am-12midnight) www.nct.org.uk
National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 100 0212 (9.30am – 9.30pm)
Breastfeeding Resources