Breastfeeding supporters in the UK – both voluntary and paid – are skilled and experienced in offering breastfeeding support over the phone and online. Several helplines are available, and many have increased capacity:
National Breastfeeding Helpline (run by the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers and the Breastfeeding Network) – 0300 100 0212 Open 9.30am-9.30pm, every day of the year.
This line also includes an option for Welsh and Polish language support.
Breastfeeding Network Bengali/Sylheti Helpline 0300 456 2421
The National Breastfeeding Helpline also provides support via web chat at www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk and via Facebook messenger www.facebook.com/nationalbreastfeedinghelpline
The Breastfeeding Network’s Drugs in Breastmilk information service offers evidence based info on the safety of medications and treatments during breastfeeding.
A series of fact sheets covering a wide range of issues and medications can be found at: www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets
Or you can message the BfN Drugs in Breastmilk Information page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BfNDrugsinBreastmilkinformation
Or email druginformation@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk
La Leche League – 0345 120 2918 (8am-11pm) and visit https://www.laleche.org.uk/get-support/ for a range of online and telephone breastfeeding support options.
NCT – 0300 330 0700 Feeding line (8am-midnight)
https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/feeding/early-days/breastfeeding-support-nct
You can also contact your local health visiting team or local infant feeding support team to see what other resources are available. An internet search using ‘breastfeeding’ and the name of your town or county will usually get you to the right teams. In many areas, there are increased levels of phone support and support available online and through video.
You can also visit lcgb.org to find a local lactation consultant: https://www.lcgb.org/find-an-ibclc/. Many are offering additional remote support options.
There are several reliable sources of online information including:
https://www.laleche.org.uk/
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk
https://abm.me.uk
https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/feeding
https://breastfeeding.support/
https://globalhealthmedia.org/videos/breastfeeding/
The national charity Best Beginnings has created Baby Buddy, the free NHS approved app for pregnant women and new parents includes supportive daily information about breastfeeding, maternal mental health and more. Also, within the app you can watch over 30 films about breastfeeding including practical films on positioning and attachment.
For anyone wanting to see the breastfeeding films via a website, you can click here: https://web.bestbeginnings.org.uk/web/videos/breastfeeding
For joint expert information from midwives and doctors on breastfeeding and caring for a baby during a COVID-19 infection or suspected infection, please visit this site and scroll down to find the later questions: https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/
UNICEF Baby Friendly also has some useful resources here: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/COVID-19/
This statement was prepared jointly by the breastfeeding support organisations – last updated 31 March 2020