Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the most natural start to life for a baby and can have lifelong health benefits for both mother and baby.
Breastfeeding protects the baby against ear and chest infections, stomach upsets, diarrhoea, asthma, eczema, allergies and even obesity. Breastfeeding mothers are less likely to develop breast and ovarian cancer and osteoporosis later in life.
Babies don’t need anything but breast milk for the first six months to provide all the necessary nutrition. Giving anything else will decrease the supply of breast milk and lessen the health benefits of breastfeeding.
Solids can be introduced alongside the usual milk feeds from six months, when the baby’s development shows they are ready to cope with solids well.
The Department of Health recommends breastfeeding for at least two years, as it continues to provide both significant nutrition and protection from illnesses.
On this page you will find information on: Breastfeeding Support - Breastfeeding Hubs in Lewisham - Top Tips for Breastfeeding - Returning to Work - Becoming a Peer Supporter - Local business and places that have joined the 'Breastfeeding Welcome' scheme.
UNICEF Baby Friendly
Lewisham and Greenwich health visiting services have Stage 3 UNICEF Baby Friendly accreditation for breastfeeding. Queen Elizabeth Hospital has also achieved full Baby Friendly Stage 3 accreditation. This is a fantastic and very prestigious achievement for the Trust.
The UNICEF Baby Friendly Standards aim to improve the information, support and encouragement provided in order to promote, protect and support breastfeeding and appropriate introduction to solid foods. This means that midwives, health visitors and other health and professionals receive high quality Baby Friendly training to support breastfeeding mothers effectively. For more information on the UNICEF Baby Friendly initiative please see www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly
Breastfeeding support
Many mothers find they need some support with breastfeeding. This can be any time from getting started through to your child’s final breastfeeds.
There are several drop-in breastfeeding hubs across Lewisham and Greenwich where parents can access for breastfeeding support. This support is provided by health visiting team, midwife and peer supporters who have been trained. No appointment is required.
Mothers are also welcome to attend during pregnancy and ask any questions they may have about feeding their baby, or as an opportunity to meet other mothers informally in your local area.
Mothers who are formula or mixed feeding their baby are also welcome to attend for advice and support.
Breastfeeding hubs in Greenwich (link to Oxleas NHS Trust)
|
Mondays |
1.30–3.30pm |
Downderry Children's Centre, Shroffold Road, Downham BR1 5PD |
|
Mondays |
12 noon-2pm |
Evelyn Children Centre, 231 Grove Street, SE8 3PZ |
|
Tuesdays |
10am–12 noon |
Bellingham Children's Centre, 109a Randlesdown Road, Catford SE6 3HB |
|
Tuesdays (term time) |
10am–12 noon |
Deptford Breastfeeding Group, Shaftsbury Centre, Frankham Street, Deptford SE8 4RN |
|
Wednesdays (term time) |
9.30–11.30am |
The Milky Way at Baring Road Surgery, Baring Road, Lee SE12 0DS |
|
Wednesdays |
12 noon–2pm |
Eliot Bank Children's Centre, Thorpewood Avenue, Sydenham SE26 3HB |
|
Thursdays |
10am–12 noon |
Waldron Health Centre, Suite 1, Amersham Vale, New Cross SE14 6LD |
|
Thursdays |
10am–12 noon |
Manor House Library, 34 Old Road, 1st Floor, SE13 5SY |
|
Fridays |
10am–12 noon |
Jenner Health Centre, 201 - 203 Stanstead Road, Forest Hill, SE23 1HU |
|
Fridays |
12 noon–2pm |
Holy Trinity Centre |
Top tips for breastfeeding
- Keep your baby close, with as much skin-to-skin contact as possible
- Babies like to breastfeed often, some very often! This does not mean that your milk supply is not enough. Babies like some feeds to be ‘meals’ and others to be ‘snacks’, just like adults.
- It is not possible to overfeed a breastfed baby.
- Be sure to get the right latch – checking that your baby is attached correctly to the breast is crucial for comfortable and successful breastfeeding. If you’re feeling pain throughout the feed, your baby’s latch may not be correct. Remember CHIN:
Close and chin leading
Head free
In line
Nose to nipple - Feel reassured that your baby will be getting enough milk if they are feeding at least eight times in 24 hours and they have at least six wet and two dirty nappies daily (from one week old; before this, babies may feed more and have produce more urine and stools)
- Always seek help if you have any concerns, especially if you have pain when your baby feeds.
Returning to work
If you are thinking of returning to work or study and you want to continue to breastfeed, you should be able to express and store your milk in a safe place. If you would like further information, please attend one of the breastfeeding hubs.
Breastfeeding peer supporters
Are you a current or previous breastfeeding mother, passionate about breastfeeding and keen to use your knowledge and experience to support other Lewisham mothers on their breastfeeding journey?
The breastfeeding peer supporter course gives learners a nationally recognised open college network qualification which, along with the volunteer experience and up to date references, could help with job opportunities or as a route into further education. The course is open to mothers of all ages and backgrounds to enable them to widen their knowledge, skills and experience to support breastfeeding in Lewisham.
To apply for the peer supporter course you do not need any qualifications, all we ask is that you have had some experience of breastfeeding your baby and a passion and commitment to volunteer and support other Lewisham mothers. Once qualified, you will receive regular supervision and ongoing training, with the course often opening the door to many other volunteering and career opportunities.
The next peer supporter course will start in spring 2018 and will consist of a two-hour session per week, run over six weeks. There will be a crèche facility available, with babies in arms welcome in the training room. To find out more and register your interest, please email or call Ade Olotu, Neighbourhood Health Visitor lead, on 020 30493441 or email aolotu@nhs.net.
Lewisham 'Breastfeeding Welcome' Scheme
To enable mothers to feel confident and welcomed when breastfeeding out and about in Lewisham, the Health Visiting service runs a ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme’ for local businesses to sign up to.
When a venue signs up to our Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme and displays the green and white sticker it’s a clear message to you as a breastfeeding mum, “You are welcome to breastfeed your baby here.” Below is a list of the Lewisham venues signed up for the scheme, by postcode:
|
SE8 |
Evelyn Parents Forum @ Deptford Park Play Club, 23 Scawen Road, Deptford, SE8 5AG The Albany Arts Centre & Café, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG Deli X, 156 Deptford High Street, SE8 3PQ 2000 Community Action Centre, 199-201 Grove Street, Deptford, SE8 |
|
SE14 |
Waldron Health Centre, Amersham Vale, New Cross, SE14 6LD Telegraph Hill Playclub, Erlanger Road, SE14 5TY Telegraph Hill Centre, Pepys Road, SE14 5TY Amersham Vale Practice, Waldron Health Centre, New Cross, SE14 6LD |
|
SE4
|
Vesta Road Surgery, 58 Vesta Road, New Cross, SE4 2NH Arlo & Moe, 340 Brockley Road, Brockley, SE4 2BT Browns of Brockley, 5-6 Coulgate Street, Brockley, SE4 2RW Freds, 358 Brockley Road, Crofton Park, SE4 2BY Brockley Road Surgery, 465-467 Brockley Road, Brockley, SE4 2PJ Hillyfields Medical Group, 172 Adelaide Avenue, Brockley, SE4 1JN |
|
SE13
|
Step by Step Day Nursery, Benden House, Monument Gardens, SE13 6PY Pistachios in the Park, Hillyfields, 10A Somerset Gardens, Lewisham, SE13 7JN Cissy Wears, 212a Hither Green Lane, Hither Green, SE13 6RT Arlo & Moe, 60 Springbank Road, Hither Green, SE13 6SN ArtsCafé, Manor Park, Hither Green, SE13 5QZ Le Delice Café, 38 Ladywell Road, Lewisham, SE13 7UZ Pistachio’s in the Park, 47 Vicars Hill, Ladywell, SE13 7JN Bella Roma, 13 Lewis Grove, Lewisham, SE13 6BG Lewisham Toy Library, Shop 46, Molesworth Street, SE13 7EP |
| SE23 |
Kilmorie Childrens Centre, Kilmorie Primary School, Kilmorie Road, Forest Hill, SE23 2SP Ackroyd Community Centre, 42b Ackroyd Road, Forest Hill, SE23 1DL Aga’s Little Deli, 49a Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3HN Forest Hill Pools, Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3HZ |
| SE12 |
Archibalds Café, 164 Manor Lane, Hither Green, SE12 8LP Little Pumpkins, 88 Woodyates Road, Lee, SE12 9JH |
| SE6 |
La Pizzeria Italiana Ltd, Eros House, Brownhill Road, Catford, SE6 2EG Saigon Foods, 24 Catford Broadway, Catford, SE6 4SN Small Wonders Day Care, 89 Bromley Road, Catford, SE6 2UF The Broadway Dental Practice, 23 Catford Broadway, SE6 4SN Good Food Deli, Sandhurst Market, 7 Sandhurst Road, SE6 1DL Abbotshall Healthy Lifestyle Centre, Abbotshall Road, Catford, SE6 1SQ Corbett Community Centre & Library, Torridon Road, SE6 1RQ Park View Café, 32 Randlesdown Road, Bellingham, SE6 3BD Bellingham Green GP Surgery, 24 Bellingham Green, Catford, SE6 3JB La Ciabatta, 119 Rushey Green, Catford, SE6 4AA Novum Health Partnership, The Primary Care Centre, Hawstead Road, SE6 4JH Graces Day Nursery, 145 Perry Hill, Catford, SE6 4LP Apple Tree Community Café, Goldsmiths Community Centre, Castillon Road, SE6 1QD The Broadway Café, 12 Catford Broadway, Catford, SE6 4SP Kaleidoscope, 32 Rushey Green, Catford, SE6 4JD |
| SE3 |
Blackheath Age Exchange, 11 Blackheath Village, Blackheath, SE3 9LA |
|
BR3 |
The Homestead Café, Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham BR3 5BP |
|
BR1 |
Oakview Family Practice, 190 Shroffold Road, BR1 5NJ Little Lambs Pre-School, Good Shepherd Church Hall, Downham, BR1 5EP |
Useful links to online support:
http://oxleas.nhs.uk/site-media/cms-downloads/Oxleas_Parent_Online_-_Breastfeeding_September_2019.pdf
https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/maternity/after-your-baby-is-born/breastfeeding.aspx
https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/maternity/after-your-baby-is-born/feeding-your-baby.aspx https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/our-services/maternity/pregnancy-and-life-with-your-baby.pdf
https://globalhealthmedia.org/videos/
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/if-breastfeeding-hurts-05-may-2015/
https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/bottle-feeding-resources/
https://www.firststepsnutrition.org/parents-carers
https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/04/happybaby_leaflet_web.pdf
https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/sleep-and-night-time-resources/
https://www.basisonline.org.uk
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets/
https://www.firststepsnutrition.org/