Your health visitor is trained to support you in all areas of infant feeding.
Please contact your health visitor if you need any advice with feeding your baby.
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World Breastfeeding Celebrations 2025
Over the next few months, we will be celebrating breastfeeding with a number of events have been arranged in collaboration with our Infant Feeding Team, Health Visiting and Midwifery teams, and community organisations.
World Breastfeeding week is officially August 1st – 7th. Our events will be running in different venues from July to September. These will include four large events in Derry/Londonderry, Enniskillen, Limavady and Loughmacrory. There will also be events at our usual breastfeeding group venues.
There will be breastfeeding awareness stands in our 3 hospital sites; Altnagelvin Hospital, Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex and South West Acute Hospital during World Breastfeeding Week.
We also have a range of Antenatal Infant Feeding Workshops which will be held face to face in Derry/Londonderry, Omagh Hospital and South West Acute Hospital, booking required. Along with our monthly online antenatal infant feeding workshop, requires no booking.
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Before Delivery
What’s in Breastmilk?
Benefits of Breastfeeding
The benefits of breastfeeding – Baby Friendly Initiative – Unicef
Breastfeeding and Relationship Building
Building a Happy Baby – Unicef
The Importance of Relationship Building Video – Baby Friendly Initiative – Unicef
Preparation for Baby
Free online Antenatal Breastfeeding Workshop
Online workshop led by our Specialist Infant Feeding Leads in the Western Trust.
- First Friday of every month
- 10.30am – 12.00pm
- Partners welcome
- No pre-booking required
Delivered via Microsoft Teams
ID: 350 263 704 835
Passcode: w88hGQOnline Antenatal Course (Access Code: NIBABIES)
Dorset Healthcare – Breastfeeding Course
Getting off to a Good Start
Public Health Agency – Off to a Good Start Booklet
ABM – How Lactation Works Video
Colostrum Harvesting
How to Harvest your colostrum – Video
If you wish to avail of support via text or telephone from breastfeeding mothers within your local area. Contact your Midwife, Health Visitor or the Peer Support Link Worker at
Teresa.McPhilemy@westerntrust.hscni.net
077 9504 3205Specialised Breastfeeding Support
Women can access the Infant Feeding leads within the Trust for specialist breastfeeding if required. Speak to your midwife or health visitor regarding this.
Peer Support Mothers
We have a peer volunteer service to support Breastfeeding women. This is a group of local women who have breast fed their own babies. They have attended volunteer and Breastfeeding training within the Trust. They can provide telephone and text support to new mothers and they attend the local breastfeeding support groups. Prior to discharge from hospital, you will be asked if you wish to avail of this service.
Sure Start
Sure starts and other community organisations provide Breastfeeding Support. Ask your midwife/health visitor for more information or contact your local Sure Start.
Dads and Grandparents
NHS – What dads should know about breast feeding?
Grandparents supporting breastfeeding
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After Delivery
Position and Attachment
Breastfeeding Attachment – Video – Global Health Media Project
How do I know my baby is getting enough?
Is Your Baby Getting Enough Milk – Video – Global Health Media Project
How to maximise milk production
Hand expressing
Hand expression video – Baby Friendly Initiative (unicef.org.uk)
Positions for Breastfeeding
Positions for Breastfeeding – Video – Global Health Media Project
Natural Breastfeeding – Love to Love Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding while sitting
Breastfeeding while lying
Breastfeeding support
(See also before delivery)
Breastfeeding and Returning to Work
The Western Trust are fully committed to supporting all Breastfeeding mothers in returning to work by providing free ‘Return to work packs’. Anyone wishing to avail of these should contact the Health Improvement Equality and Involvement Department on 028 718 635127 or health.improvement@westerntrust.hscni.net
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.
NI Direct – Breastfeeding and going back to work
Unicef – Breastfeeding after returning to work or study
Working and Breastfeeding – La Leche League GB
Expressing and Storing Breastmilk – The Breastfeeding Network
Western Trust Milk Bank
The Western Trust has the only milk bank in Ireland. More information.
Tandem Feeding
Tandem Nursing – La Leche League GB
Breastfeeding During Pregnancy and Tandem Nursing – La Leche League International
Feeding Older Babies
Breastfeeding and teething – La Leche League GB
Breastfeeding Your Toddler: What to expect • KellyMom.com
Thinking of Weaning? – La Leche League GB
Feeding more than one baby
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Breastfeeding Support Groups
Visit the BreastfedBabies.org website to search for Breastfeeding Support Groups in your local area.
Breastfeeding Support Group – Western Trust Southern Sector
Group Venue Time Contact Breastfeeding Support Group - Belleek Rainbow Surestart Mobile, Erne Gaels, 9 Common Road, BT93 3AR Every 3rd Friday of month at 11.30am - 12.30pm Breast Friends Omagh LAST SureStart - Gortin Road, Omagh Every Tuesday at10.30am -12.00pm Health Visiting Secretary - 028 8283 5590 Breast Friends Enniskillen Fermanagh House - Broadmeadow Place, Enniskillen, Fermanagh Every Thursday at 10.30am -12.00pm Health Visiting Secretary - 028 6638 2109 Breastfeeding Support Group - Castlederg Rainbow Surestart, Castlderg (open to non-surestart) - 16 Hospital Road, Castlederg Every 2nd & 4th Monday of month at 11.00am - 12.30pm Castlederg SureStart - 028 8167 9483 Milky Mamas Irvinestown Breastfeeding Group The Arc Centre - 116-122 Sally's Wood, Irvinestown, BT94 1HQ Every Monday at
10.30am -12.00pmAdele Paton - 075 2351 2714 Newtonbutler Breastfeeding Group SureStart - The Old Courthouse, Bridge Street, Newtonbutler, BT92 8EN Every Tuesday at 10.30am - 12.00pm Adele Paton - 075 2351 2714 Breastfeeding Support Group – Western Trust Northern Sector
Group Venue Times Contact Breastfeeding Walking Group Sainsbury's Statues Strand Road, Derry Monday 10:00AM - 11:00AM North West BAPS Facebook page Breastfeeding Support Feeding Shantallow Sure Start - Carnhill Resource Centre Tuesday 10:00AM - 11:00AM Michelle - 028 71356110 Breastfeeding Support Feeding Edenballymore Sure Start - Old Library Trust, Healthy Living Centre, Creggan Tuesday 11:00AM Breastfeeding Support Group Little Hands Sure Start - Ringfort Road Tuesday 10:30AM - 12:00PM Rachel/Catherine - 028 71267524 Breastfeeding support Group Dry Arch Sure Start - Catherine Street, Limavady Wednesday 10:00AM - 11:30AM Caroline.okane@dryarch.co.uk
02877742904Breastfeeding Support Group Waterside Surestart - Action for Children, Ebrington Wednesday 10:00AM -11:30AM Deirdre - 028 71347186 Breastfeeding Support Group Strabane Health Visiting Group - Melvin Sports Complex, 1A Melvin Road, Strabane, BT82 9PP Wednesday 10:30AM - 12:00PM brona.mcsorley@westerntrust.hscni.net
07901511975Breastfeeding Support Group Derry Well Woman - Queen Street Thursday 10:00AM - 12:00PM Caroline.okane@dryarch.co.uk
028 77729826 / 02877742904Breastfeeding Support Group Dungiven - Nora and Katie, 150 Main Street, Dungiven, BT47 4LG Tuesday 10:30AM - 12:00PM brona.mcsorley@westerntrust.hscni.net
07901511975 - Formula Feeding after Delivery
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Antenatal Breastfeeding Workshop
We offer both in person and online antenatal breastfeeding classes, details of both are outline below. Our classes are facilitated by our Infant Feeding Team and Western Trust Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is present. You are welcome to attend with a partner or support person, please let us know at time of booking for numbers whether you plan to attend alone or with someone else.
These workshops will provide you with the information and resources needed to get your infant off to a good start including:-
- Benefits of breastfeeding for your baby, you and the environment
- How to develop a relationship with your unborn baby
- Colostrum Harvesting
- How to hold and attach your baby at the breast
- What to expect in the first few weeks
- How do you know your baby is getting enough milk
- Support available
Face-to-face Antenatal Breastfeeding Classes
These take place in Derry Well Women Queen street and Minding Mum, WNP office Shared Future Centre Waterside , Omagh Hospital and South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen.
Antenatal women, their partners and/or interested family members are all welcome.
Derry/Londonderry
Minding Mum Waterside ‘Latch and learn’- for details of dates and to book your place, please message 07719532034
Derry Well Woman- Queen Street Derry- for details of dates and to book your place please telephone 028 7136 0777
- 22nd July | 6:30-8:30pm | Derry Well Women | Contact 028 7136 0177
Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex and South West Acute Hospital
8th July | 2-4pm | MDEC Building | Altnagelvin Hospital
7th August | 7-9pm | Board Room, OHPCC
14th August | 7-9pm | Parentcraft Room, SWAH
11th September | 7-9pm | Board Room, OHPCC
2nd October | 7-9pm | Parentcraft Room, SWAH
20th November | 7-9pm | Board Room, OHPCC
11th December | 7-9pm | Parentcraft Room, SWAH
22nd January 7-9pm | Board Room, OHPCCClick here to book via our online form, or speak to your midwife in Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex or South West Acute Hospital who can arrange to book you directly on to the course. If you require more information, please email wendy.campbell@westerntrust.hscni.net or nicola.burchmore@westerntrust.hscni.net
Online Antenatal Breastfeeding ClassOur online breastfeeding class takes place on the first Friday of every month from 10.30am-12.00pm, no booking is required.. These are delivered via Microsoft Teams:
Microsoft Teams Meeting ID: 350 263 704 835
Passcode: w88hGQ
For details of any other antenatal classes in your area please discuss with your midwife.
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Additional Information
Getting a Good Start: Eating Health from One to Five
Breastfeeding HELP Leaflet | Northern Sector
Breastfeeding HELP Leaflet | Southern Sector
National Breastfeeding Helplines
La Leche League – 0845 120 2918
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers – 0844 412 2949 (9.30am-9.30pm)
Breastfeeding Network
0300 100 0210 (Press 2 for Polish)
0300 456 2421 Bengali & SylhetiNational Breastfeeding Helpline – 0300 100 0212 (9.30am-9.30pm)
National Childbirth Trust – 0300 3300 771 (8am-10pm)
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Useful Links
Useful Links
UNICEF – Breastfeeding resources – Baby Friendly Initiative
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers advice on support new breastfeeding mothers during COVID19
UNICEF Baby Friendly Breastfeeding Resources
UNICEF Baby Friendly – Refresher Sheets
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk
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COVID-19 vaccine while breastfeeding
Can mothers receive a Covid-19 vaccine while breastfeeding?
To continue to support health professionals to provide care for babies, their mothers and families during the ongoing pandemic, UNICEF have updated their Covid-19 resource and guidance page with new guidance on how to discuss the Covid-19 vaccine with women who are breastfeeding (FAQ #14)