Resources

Home › Resources

Welcome! We’re pleased you’ve found us.

If you’re pregnant and thinking about breastfeeding, or just getting started on #YourFeedingJourney we are here to support you. If you’re struggling and need some help, you’re not alone.

UNICEF reports that eight out of ten mothers in the UK will stop breastfeeding before they want to. The reasons for this include:

  • A lack of access to support services in the community and at work
  • Cultural barriers
  • Misinformation

At Southend Supports Breastfeeding, we want to change that. We want you to feel able to breastfeed your baby for as long as you can. With the right information and support, we believe that’s possible.

We understand that not every woman/parent will have the choice to breastfeed exclusively or continue breastfeeding. At Southend Supports Breastfeeding all infant feeding choices are supported. 

You don’t need to wait until your baby is born for breastfeeding advice. During pregnancy, after the birth and beyond, there are lots of people to help you through #YourFeedingJourney.

  • Speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP, if you need someone to talk to about breastfeeding your baby. Reach out for help and ask as many questions as you like! You can contact the Southend Health Visitors on 01702 534913.
  • Find a local breastfeeding support group on our social media page.
  • Full of professional guidance and expertise, the free resources below can help you. Many helplines offer advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Advice on breastfeeding is available to everyone in the UK. If you’re a partner, family member, friend, or employer, and have questions about breastfeeding and how you can help, these resources are for you too.

National Breastfeeding Helpline

Go to website
0300 100 0212
The National Breastfeeding Helpline is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It offers friendly, non-judgemental, independent, evidence based breastfeeding support and information to anyone in the UK. You can also get advice through their webchat and social media channels.

The Breastfeeding Network

Go to website
0300 456 2421
The Breastfeeding Network (BFN) provides independent breastfeeding support and information, including topics such as popular drugs and medication in breast. The BFN supporter line, for Bengali and Sylheti speakers, is open 9.30am to 9.30pm, seven days a week.

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers

Go to website
0300 330 5453
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM) is a group of trained volunteers dedicated to supporting breastfeeding mums and their families. The ABM helpline is open 9.30am - 10.30pm, seven days a week for anyone with concerns about breastfeeding.

La Leche League

Go to website
0345 120 2918
La Leche League (LLL) provide mother-to-mother, parent-to-parent breastfeeding support across the UK and the Isle of Man. Counsellors are all trained volunteers who have nursed their own babies and are accredited as LLL Leaders. They provide a wide range of support options, including the helpline which is open 8am – 11pm, every day of the year.

Positioning and attachment

Watch video
This video, from the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative, demonstrates how to position and attach your baby when breastfeeding.

Hand expression

Watch video
In this video from the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative, you’ll learn how to hand express milk for your baby.

Bliss

Go to website
Email Bliss
Bliss is a special-care baby charity that supports parents and families of premature or sick babies across the UK. Bliss provides information across a range of specialist subjects, including feeding advice for your premature or sick baby.

UK Association for Milk Banking

Go to website
Email
The UK Association for Milk Banking supports the provision of safe and screened donor breast milk, helping to care for and save the lives of premature and sick infants. You’ll find advice on receiving donated milk, becoming a breastmilk donor, and finding your nearest milk bank.

Twins Trust

Go to website
0800 138 0509
Twins Trust give families the information and support they need to enable them to thrive. Trained and experienced volunteers provide a listening ear to families, advising on subjects related to parenting multiples, including feeding. Their helpline is open on weekdays from 10am – 1pm and 7pm – 10pm.

Healthy Start

Go to website
If you’re receiving a qualifying benefit and are pregnant or have a child under the age of four, you may be entitled to help to buy healthy food and milk, through the Healthy Start scheme.

First Steps Nutrition

Go to first steps website
Go to infant milk info
First Steps Nutrition are passionate about the need for better information and support for good nutrition from pre-conception to five years. Their partner organisation, Infant Milk Info, provides comprehensive information on infant milks (for 0 – 12 months) on the UK market.

UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative

Go to website
This simple, concise guide provides parents who are bottle feeding with an overview on how to bottle feed responsively and, for parents who are formula feeding, how to choose an infant formula.

NHS

Go to website
NHS advice and information on bottle feeding your baby, including sterilising bottles, types of formula and a step-by-step guide to making a bottle of formula.

Livewell Southend

Go to website
Livewell infant feeding support in Southend offers free home visits and phone calls for pregnant individuals and parents. Services cover topics like breastfeeding, introducing solids, and weaning, and are available for new parents, adoptive parents, and those needing to relactate. The service provides practical tips and support. You can find timetables for local family centres https://www.southendfamilycentres.co.uk/
Working in partnership with...

Southend Supports Breastfeeding is an initiative from Public Health, working in partnership with SAVS

  • Southend City Council, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ER

© 2024 Southend Supports Breastfeeding & Your Feeding Journey | Privacy Policy

Website by ionic.