Where to find help in the UK:
It's really important to get real life support if you are concerned about you or your baby's wellbeing. The following organisations offer support to women all over the country, via telephone helplines, from Breastfeeding Supporters and Breastfeeding Counsellors. Some of the Breastfeeding Counsellors that staff these helplines will come out to see you if they can. The Breastfeeding Counsellors are volunteers that have completed two or more years training, have lots of experience and the Supporters are mums who have breastfed their own children and received intensive training - the helplines are often open 12 hours a day or more.
It is crucial, if you or your baby are really struggling, to go and actually see someone. This way they can see the baby feed and check for physical problems like thrush or tongue tie. You can find this kind of support in a number of ways, the earlier the better:
If you live in Wandsworth, South West London and would like one to one support with breastfeeding from midwives, health visitors, lactation consultants and peer counsellors, find you local breastfeeding support drop-in here. Scroll down to click on the 'Wandsworth Breastfeeding Cafes' link.
It's really important to get real life support if you are concerned about you or your baby's wellbeing. The following organisations offer support to women all over the country, via telephone helplines, from Breastfeeding Supporters and Breastfeeding Counsellors. Some of the Breastfeeding Counsellors that staff these helplines will come out to see you if they can. The Breastfeeding Counsellors are volunteers that have completed two or more years training, have lots of experience and the Supporters are mums who have breastfed their own children and received intensive training - the helplines are often open 12 hours a day or more.
- La Leche League: 0845 120 2918
- Breastfeeding Network Supporter Line: 0300 100 0210
- Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 08444 122949
- The NCT: 0300 3300771
- National Breastfeeding Helpline (ABM and BfN): 0300 100 0212
It is crucial, if you or your baby are really struggling, to go and actually see someone. This way they can see the baby feed and check for physical problems like thrush or tongue tie. You can find this kind of support in a number of ways, the earlier the better:
- Phone your midwife or health visitor and find out where your local NHS - run breastfeeding support group is.
- Find a lactation consultant (make sure they have IBCLC after their name) who you can pay to come to your home.
- Find out where your local La Leche League Support Group is. Local groups are led by accredited Breastfeeding Counsellors who are experienced breastfeeding mothers themselves. All pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are welcome. Discussion topics include birth and getting breastfeeding off to a good start, overcoming challenges, sleep, started solids, and more. Meetings are free, and books and leaflets about birth, breastfeeding and parenting are available for sale and are available to borrow from the lending library.
- Find your local babycafe
If you live in Wandsworth, South West London and would like one to one support with breastfeeding from midwives, health visitors, lactation consultants and peer counsellors, find you local breastfeeding support drop-in here. Scroll down to click on the 'Wandsworth Breastfeeding Cafes' link.