Infant Feeding provides food for your baby, but it is also a source of love, comfort and reassurance between you and your baby.
Responsive feeding is important in building a strong relationship between you and your new baby and will help to give them the best possible start in life.
Responsive breastfeeding is when you offer your baby a breastfeed when they show signs that they are hungry or need comfort and reassurance. It also includes when you as a parent wish to feed, for example if you need to go out, to relieve breast fullness or just to rest and relax with their baby.
Responsive bottle feeding is offering a feed in response to your baby’s feeding cues, holding your baby close during the feed and letting the baby feed to their appetite at their own pace. It is important that you as parent give most of your baby’s feeds, so they feel safe and secure.
Feeding your baby may feel quite overwhelming at first, however you choose to feed your baby. There are lots of people that can guide and support you with feeding from your Midwife, Health Visitor, Infant Feeding team, Breastfeeding Peer Support volunteers, along with hints and tips from other parents. This may be over the phone, online or in-person at clinics, breastfeeding groups or in your own home.
There is a lot of evidence that shows breastfeeding is beneficial for you and your baby. It can take time for you and your baby to learn how to breastfeed and there may be reasons why you cannot breastfeed. If you have any feeding worries or concerns, the best thing to do is speak to your Midwife or Health Visitor.
As your baby develops and becomes ready for solid foods at around six months, weaning support is available from your Health Visitor team or your local Children’s Centre or Family Hub.
Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteer Opportunity
Have you either breastfed or are currently breastfeeding?
Would you be interested in volunteering some of your time to offer support, help and advice to other local mums who are breastfeeding or interested in breastfeeding when their baby is born?
This could be through groups you already attend, supporting breastfeeding support drop-in sessions or attending midwifery clinics. The time commitment is entirely up to you.
As a Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteer, you will be fully trained in the Solihull Approach Breastfeeding Peer Support training. The approach is designed to help create safe spaces between supporters and mothers and ensure that information and emotional support is tailored to meet need and increase breastfeeding outcomes.
If you would like more information about becoming a Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteer, please contact Family Hubs at: familyhubs@varotherham.org.uk.
Breastpumps
Rotherham Family Hubs are able to support breastfeeding by providing breast pumps that are free to loan. We want to help mothers establish and maintain breastfeeding. The pumps are available for a short-term loan of four weeks at the following sites
Ask Olive the midwife - Find out more information on pregnancy and ask questions on social media.
The national breastfeeding helpline
Established in 2008 runs every day of the year and the line is open 24 hours a day. All calls are answered by experienced volunteers who have breastfed their own children and completed comprehensive training.
Call the national breastfeeding helpline on: 03001 000212
Infant Feeding Team
To find out more about infant feeding, visit The Rotherham NHS foundation Trust:
Rotherham supports mums who breastfeed their babies and infants and we believe that no mum should be made to feel ashamed, embarrassed or harassed because they are breastfeeding in public.
