Where to find other Breastfeeding Groups or other sources of support
The Breastfeeding Network lists on it's website breastfeeding centres where there is a Breastfeeding Network Volunteer working or helping there. We are not able to list other organsisations breastfeeding groups and you can read more on this below.
Here is some information which may help you to find local support if there is no BfN centre listed for your area:-
- Firstly you may not need to venture further than your front door to get breastfeeding support! You may be able to get some practical information and ideas by telephone
- Your local Infant Feeding Co-ordinator, Community Midwife or Health Visitor may have details of local support. Click here to find your nearest maternity unit on the NHS Choices Website
- The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers website has UK breastfeeding support groups listed
- And there are baby cafe groups at:- http://www.thebabycafe.co.uk/L/BC_Nearest.php
- Real Baby Milk have support groups listed
Scotland
NHS Scotland (breastfeeding section)
Wales
Welsh Assembly Government (breastfeeding section)
Other organisations offering help:-
- It is imperative that the list is kept up-to-date and we are able to do that as we hold contact details for all BfN Volunteers. We cannot take responsibility for groups not affiliated to BfN and we want to avoid the scenario where women turn up to breastfeeding groups which are no longer running.
- BfN Registered Volunteers have recieved a good level of training and have gained an Open College Network accredited qualification. In order to continue to be registered our volunteers are required to have regular Supervision and attend study sessions. This ensures they are kept up-to-date with current research and thinking. We are not able to endorse any other training by listing groups where there is no BfN volunteer present.
- Thirdly the Breastfeeding Network aims to be an independent source of support for breastfeeding women and others involved in their care. We maintain our indepence by not accepting funding or gifts from sources which have a commercial interest in infant feeding. For example, we will not accept sponsorship (funding or gifts) from manufacturers or distributors of breastmilk substitutes, feeding bottles, teats or dummies. We also do not accept sponsorship from those companies who profit from breastfeeding (success or failure) such as nipple creams, breast pumps, nursing bras, nipple shields etc. and those companies profiting from a particular parenting style. This enables women to feel confident that any information and support being given by a BfN Registered Volunteer is not biased in any way. We do not have the capacity to check that other breastfeeding groups are avoiding any conflicts of interest and are working within the scope of the World Health Organisation / UNICEF Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and Subsequent relevant World Health Assembly Resolutions