Infant Feeding Team

Our Infant Feeding Team support the right of all parents to make informed choices about how to feed their baby and they work hard to ensure new parents are well-informed on how to do this.

The team provide support with infant feeding in the hospital and work closely with the  Croydon Infant Feeding Team  to ensure that women receive consistent information to enable them to get infant feeding off to a great start and to continue to feed for as long as they wish.

Support is provided to parents on the Birth Centre, Labour Ward, Postnatal ward, Neonatal Unit, Paediatric ward and A&E.

Information on where to access infant feeding support is given to all mums upon discharge from hospital. Tongue Tie queries can be assessed in the Infant feeding Clinic and all Baby Cafes.

Contact us

Email the team at the hospital:  ch-tr.maternityinfantfeeding@nhs.net
Email the community team:  ch-tr.communityinfantfeedingteam@nhs.net

This service is Monday-Friday, between 9am and 3pm. You will receive a response within 24 hours or next working day if you contact us at the weekend.

National Breastfeeding Helpline —  0300 100 0212

How we can support you with feeding your baby

We support the right of all parents to make informed choices about how to feed your baby and we will support you in your decision. Infant feeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby. There are important benefits which infant feeding provides for both you and your baby and we therefore encourage you to breastfeed.

Infant feeding clinics

All infant feeding groups are free, provided by the NHS. You do not need to be referred or to make an appointment. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the end of the session and bring your baby’s red book with you.

All our Baby Cafes welcome pregnant as well as new mums and dads. 

If you are having problems infant feeding a baby of any age, we can offer expert, practical support and information in a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere.

We are not just here to help with infant feeding problems, we can also help if you are:

• deciding how you will feed your baby 
• just getting started
• wanting to meet other breastfeeding mums
• apprehensive about breastfeeding in public
• returning to work and unsure how to continue breastfeeding
• in need of help with expressing breast milk
• interested in ‘baby-led weaning’
• introducing solids
• breastfeeding an older baby or toddler
• ready to stop breastfeeding.

 

Baby Cafe locations

Occasionally there are closures during holiday times, please check social media pages for further details. Our Baby Cafes take place at the locations below:

infant feeding drop in clinics

 

Client's story (anonymous) - Lucy's support

"I am the mother of 5 children aged 16, 10, 9, 7 and 5 months. I did not even think about breastfeeding my first 4 children as it just wasn’t right at the time. With my 5th child I decided to give it a go because things were different this time.  I   gave my baby formula in hospital and then when it was quiet and the curtains were around me I put the baby to the breast and she started to suckle. Gradually I started to offer the breast more and more to my baby.  Soon I was exclusively breastfeeding but my nipples were starting to get sore. The Breastfeeding Peer Support team Team didn’t contact me at the time, because they thought I was formula feeding my baby. 

"By 4 weeks I found every breastfeed painful and then went on to get mastitis. I went to her Doctor who prescribed antibiotics, which helped the mastitis but breastfeeding was still sore.  My friend who breastfed suggested that this was not a normal breastfeeding experience and that I should get help.  

"I found a leaflet that had been given to me at the hospital and contacted the team. Karen (from the Mum2mum Breastfeeding Peer Support Team) came and helped me get my baby on the breast more comfortably and breastfeeding started to get more comfortable. Karen put me in touch with my Peer Supporter Lucy who had also 5 children and had breastfed her two last children.

"Lucy texted me to start with initially and then I was constantly asking her questions. , I also started going to the drop- in at Castle Hill Children’s Centre and met Lucy there. This gave the opportunity for me to get out of the house, breastfeed in a positive breastfeeding environment, get looked after with a cup of tea and an opportunity to ask any questions.

"I am still breastfeeding at 5 months and this would not have been possible without Lucy’s help and support."