Feeding your baby
Our services promote and support breastfeeding but whatever way you choose to feed your baby support is available from the Children and Family Wellbeing Service, health visitors, midwives and the services below.
Breastfeeding
For information about breastfeeding, see these websites from the NHS:
Responsive feeding
Responsive feeding is responding to your babies needs, learning the feeding cues which may be:
- chewing their fists
- restlessness
- turning their head and searching or opening mouth
Crying is the last cue and may result in baby taking time to settle to a feed.
Support
If you're looking for support with:
- breastfeeding for the first time
- trying to increase breast milk supply
- breastfeeding complications
There are local peer supporters (other mums who have had training) who can give you advice and support. If you need more specialist support, peer supporters can refer you to it.
Family Hubs
Our Family Hubs work together with dedicated services to support mothers and families with breastfeeding and infant feeding.
If you would like any more information about support for infant feeding, contact our friendly Family Hubs. Your local family hub can tell you about what local support is available and may host a local support group.
You can also contact the services directly.
Lancashire NCT
The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) provide breastfeeding peer support on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
We offer:
- a free, confidential service, run by local trained breastfeeding peer supporters
- breastfeeding and infant feeding support in hospital, in groups and via one to one support
NCT support is:
- for every parent and parent to be
- there to support you however you are feeding your baby
Our NCT peer supporters are trained to listen without judgement, offer support and information and signpost to other local services when needed. All our peer supports are local mothers who have wide ranging experiences of being a parent.
NCT Lancashire support helpline
0208 752 9025 Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Email: lancashiresupport@nct.org.uk
NCT feeding line
0300 330 0700
Free support is available every day from 8am to midnight, including bank holidays.
Online
Website: Lancashire's NCT website
Facebook: NCT Parent Support Lancashire
Social media groups and support
These services are available during and outside of working hours, by telephone and social media groups.
Staff availability can change so if your local support is unavailable, contact any of the support options below:
- Blackpool and Fylde Coast Breastfeeding Support. Staffed by peer supporters and lactation consultants. Visit the Fylde Coast Breastfeeding Support Group Facebook Group.
- Barnoldswick, Burnley and Colne BFFs. Staffed by peer supporters. Visit the following Facebook groups: Barnoldswick Breastfeeding Facebook group, Burnley Breastfeeding Facebook group, Colne Breastfeeding Facebook group.
- East Lancs NCT Feeding Support. Staffed by volunteer peer supporters and NCT breastfeeding counsellors. Email: branch.eastlancashire@NCT.org.uk or visit the East Lancs NCT Facebook group.