Help and support

No woman should have to deal with breastfeeding alone. It is important to know that it is OK to need and ask for extra help.

So who can help? Where can you get support?

Need help?

Help can come from a wide range of ways to support you during breastfeeding.

Dads may feel that they are not able to help with breastfeeding but with their or your partner’s help, even if just a little, it can make a massive difference. So what ways are they able to help? Well, they can:

Go along to antenatal/breastfeeding sessions
Give practical and emotional support to mummy
Give mummy a break by playing, bathing, changing or settling the baby
Making life easier by cooking food, making the drinks, chores around the house or arranging for family and friends to visit when they aren’t there
Providing some stress release by looking after older children.

Besides your partner, any friend or family can support you in simple ways by taking some of your responsibility off you such as:

Doing your shopping
Doing some household chores such as cooking, cleaning, washing, etc.
Get you out and about by taking you to a breastfeeding friendly café
Picking up other children from nursery/school.

Still struggling?

Even with help from your partner, friends and family, it can still be a struggle to continue to breastfeed and you may be thinking about stopping.

Before any rash decision is made, it is worth asking yourself the following questions…

Why did you start breastfeeding?

Try to remember the reasons you started and check advantages again.

Why do you want to stop?

Are you tired?
Are you getting enough help?
Are you looking after yourself such as eating well and sleeping enough?

Do you need to go back to work?

You may not need to stop, have you thought about mixed feed?
Do you need support at work? Click here.

Do you not like breastfeeding?

Perhaps it’s uncomfortable? (Check How to breastfeed)
Is it too time consuming? (It will only be like this for a very short part of your baby’s life)
Feel embarrassed? (Home Start in local support section can help with clothing and ideas)
Trapped in the house? (Check the Out and About section).

Stopping

Of course, it is fine to stop or wish to stop and you should never feel that you are being pressured to breastfeed, if you don’t think it is right for you.

Not every person’s circumstances are the same and there are many reasons that you may decide that breastfeeding is no longer the best option for you. As long as you have considered all the factors and that is what you want, then it is okay to stop.

You may require help and support especially if you wish to reduce the breastfeeds gradually or maybe to give mix feeds of both breast milk and artificial baby milk.

Babies may even take that choice from you and stop themselves for a range of reasons. Be sure to ask your Health Visitor to help assess the baby.

But, if you’re not ready to stop, then what?

Try to remember that every day you breastfeed really does make a huge difference for you and your baby.

If you’re still struggling, try setting small goals such as one more feed or just get through the night. You’ll be amazed at what a difference a day makes especially when it’s the middle of the night.

However, you do not have to do things alone! Along with family and friends, there is local support that can help you get through any difficulties, such as if you feel you are being criticised or pressured to stop. For advice and support please contact:

Home-Start Wirral on 0151 647 8370 or 07780 220481 (24hrs) or visit Homestartwirral.co.uk

Health Visiting Hub Facebook page 0219HVHub

Additional help can be found in the local support page.

Useful Contact Information / Information

Baby Welcome Scheme

Support and information

Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby and the Health Visiting Service is here to support you and your family. You can contact the team Monday - Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm on 0151 514 2888.

If you cannot reach the team here is some additional information you may find useful.

+ - Useful phone numbers Click to collapse

Home-Start Wirral Breastfeeding Peer

Support Wirral
Tel: 0151 608 8288 or 07780 220481
(24hrs)

National Breastfeeding Helpline
Tel: 0300 100 0212 (24hrs)

Breastfeeding Network
Tel: 0300 100 0210
(9.30am - 9.30pm, 365 days a year)

Drugs in Breastmilk Helpline
Tel: 0844 412 4665

NCT Breastfeeding National Helpline
Tel: 0300 330 0700
(8.00am - 12.00midnight,
365 days a year)

NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor
Breast Pump Hire, Bra Fitting
Tel: 0151 334 8119

North West Regional Human Milk Bank
Tel: 0151 482 7599

One to One Midwives
Tel: 0330 3309121 (8.30am - 5.00pm)
or 07432 528604 or 07930 195636
(8.30am - 8.00pm)

Wirral University Teaching Hospital Community Midwives Office
Tel: 0151 604 7682 or 0151 678 5111
ext. 7425 (Mon - Fri, 9.00am - 5.00pm)