Knowing your options when it comes to infant feeding
The NHS offers free infant feeding advice
During your pregnancy your midwife should start discussing with you options to feed your baby
There should be online resources for you to access on your digital maternity notes such as Badgernotes
Accessing these resources in pregnancy is important to make you feel informed and understand your options for feeding your baby before your baby is born
Your community midwife normally visits you around 4 or more times in the postnatal period after you have had your baby. You are normally discharged to the health visiting team around day 10 postnatal
If you wanted more support from your community midwife you can always call the team to access more infant feeding support. You are under the care of the community midwife until day 28 post birth. Do call if you need additional support even if you have been discharged
Your health visiting team are there for you throughout your breastfeeding journey. Always contact the team for additional support - 03003 030 916(North Yorkshire health visiting team)
Do reach out to local support groups and networks to help with your infant feeding journey. You may find additional breastfeeding groups in library’s, children’s groups or village halls.
Local to Harrogate there’s a midwife run infant feeding support group at Harrogate Library and Knaresborough Library. These sessions are run by the midwives and health visiting team to help you along your journey and give you invaluable advice and support.
If you feel you want additional support, additional time for your appointment, feel like your breastfeeding journey is complex or you just want an appointment at a time which suits you - I am here to support you along the way. If you are in financial need, on universal credits please do reach out for a pay as you can service.
More information on additional NHS support can be found here:
