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

For Infants Under 28 days

Email the team at in hospital:  ch-tr.maternityinfantfeeding@nhs.net
Email the community team:  ch-tr.communityinfantfeedingteam@nhs.net
Infant Feeding Team Phone Number: 07345 543286 
We aim to have telephone cover 24/7. If we do not answer you call please leave us a message and we will get back to you within 48 hours.
The National Breastfeeding Helpline also has 24/7 cover, if you need immediate support and we haven't answered please call: 0300 100 0212
 

For Infants 28 days and over

Contact the health visitor duty line: 0208 274 6006
Phone line covered Monday-Friday from 9am-4.45pm

How we can support you with feeding your baby

We support every parent’s right to make informed decisions about how they feed their baby. Whatever feeding method you choose, we are here to support you.
Feeding your baby responsively—recognising and responding to your baby’s feeding cues—is the healthiest way to feed your baby. Breastfeeding is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the NHS as the best way to feed your baby, but we respect and support all feeding choices.


Infant Feeding Clinics

Our infant feeding clinics are provided by the NHS and are free to attend. You do not need a referral or an appointment.
  • Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the end of the session
  • Bring your baby’s red book
  • Partners and family members are welcome and encouraged to attend to support you

How we can help

If you are experiencing any challenges with feeding your baby, at any age, we can provide expert, practical support and information, including:
  • Returning to work and continuing breastfeeding
  • Expressing breast milk (including hand expressing and using pumps)
  • Positioning and attachment
  • Knowing if your baby is getting enough milk
  • Introducing solid foods
  • Feeding an older baby or toddler

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."