Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the healthiest and most natural option for you and your baby. By deciding to breastfeed, you’ll be giving your child the best possible start in life.

Any period of breastfeeding, however short, will benefit your baby, but the maximum benefits are gained by feeding breast milk and nothing else until around six months, and then continuing to breastfeed along with their weaning diet until your baby is two years old or beyond.

For further information on getting Breastfeeding Off To A Good Start click here.

Breastfeeding Support Groups

Breastfeeding mums need everyone’s support. Partners especially play an important role in help mums to continue breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding Groups can give great support to new mums. Mums can get lots of information, help and advice and the groups are a great way to meet new mums. There are a number of breastfeeding support groups throughout the Western Area. These groups are open to all breastfeeding mums. If you would like more information about breastfeeding come along to a breastfeeding group before you have your baby. Find out more about local breastfeeding support groups within the Western Trust areas.

Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteers

Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteers provide a vital role in supporting breastfeeding mums. A Peer Support Volunteer is a mum with experience breastfeeding, who has completed her OCN Accreditation in supporting breastfeeding mums. They regularly attend antenatal classes, the post-natal ward and Breastfeeding Support Groups and offer support and information to new Mums and Mums-to-be.

New mums can be linked with a peer mum as soon as leaving hospital. If you would like to talk to a Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteer please get in touch on the numbers below.

If you want more information about breastfeeding or breastfeeding activities in your area contact your local midwife, health visitor, breastfeeding support group or visit www.breastfedbabies.org

The Health Improvement Equality and Involvement Department provide a range of free information leaflets and training opportunities.

Support for Breastfeeding Employees Returning to Work

Breastfeeding is fundamental to public health as it promotes health, prevents disease and helps contribute to reducing health inequalities. Western Trust supports creating environments where staff can return to work and continue to breastfeed. Our Policy to Support Breastfeeding Employees is available on Staff West.

As part of this policy, any employee returning to work and breastfeeding can redeem a free ‘Return to Work’ pack.

This pack will contain a cool bag, ice blocks, a reusable water bottle and breastmilk storage bottle to assist staff in continuing their breastfeeding journey. The pack will also contain additional information on safe storage of breastmilk.

Any staff member wishing to avail of this should contact the Health Improvement Equality and Involvement Department on 028 718 635127 or health.improvement@westerntrust.hscni.net

We would be grateful if this information could be shared with staff currently on maternity leave and staff with no access to emails.