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.
-
World Breastfeeding Week 2024
World Breastfeeding Week 2024 will run from 1 to 7 August. This year the Health Improvement, Equality and Involvement Department in partnership with Infant Feeding Leads, Libraries NI and local Surestart organisations will host events across the Western Trust to raise awareness and support for breastfeeding.
These events are open to everyone and have information around breastfeeding support, general health and wellbeing, cancer awareness and mental health along with Rhythm and Rhyme sessions for young children.
The brochure contains further information on all these events and additional events across the Trust facilitated by Community and Voluntary Organisations.
-
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
-
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
-
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 Address Time Contact Telephone Breastfeeding Support Group Community Centre, Belleek Belleek Community Centre, Station Road, Belleek
Every 3rd Friday of month at 11.30am - 12.30pm Castlederg SureStart 028 8167 9483 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 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 028 6862 1970 / 075 2351 2714 Newtonbutler Breastfeeding group SureStart The Old Courthouse, Bridge Street, Newtonbutler, BT92 8EN Every Tuesday at 10.30am - 12.00pm Adele Paton 07523512714 Breastfeeding Support Group – Western Trust Northern Sector
Group Venue Address Times Contact Telephone Breastfeeding Support Group Dry Arch Centre Catherine Street,Limavady Tuesday 10-1130am Caroline.okane@dryarch.co.uk 028 77729826 / 02877742904 Breastfeeding Support Group Edenballymore Surestart Alternates locations within the social cafes Thursday 11:30-1300 Catherine 028 71371670 Breastfeeding Support Feeding Shantallow Surstart Carnhill Resource Centre Tuesday 10-11:30 Michelle 028 71356110 Breastfeeding Support Group Little Hands Surestart Parent's Room, Rosemount Primary School Tuesday 10:30-12:00 Rachel/Catherine 028 71267524 Breastfeeding Support Group Strabane The Parlour, St Patrick's Hall Wednesday 10:30-1200 brona.mcsorley@westerntrust.hscni.net 7901511975 Breastfeeding Support Group Waterside Surestart Action for Children, Waterside Wednesday 10 -11:30 Deirdre 028 71347186 Breastfeeding Walking group Sainsbury's Statues Strand road Derry Monday 1030-1130 North West BAPS Facebook page Breastfeeding support Group Dry Arch Centre 50 Legavallon Road Dungiven Friday 10-11:30 Caroline.okane@dryarch.co.uk 2877742904 - Formula Feeding after Delivery
-
Online Antenatal Breastfeeding Workshop
Join our free online antenatal breastfeeding 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: w88hGQ -
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)
-
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
-
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 (see FAQ #14)