NELFT is marking World Breastfeeding Awareness Week by highlighting the Thurrock infant feeding service which launched earlier this year, offering support seven days a week.

The theme for 2024 is Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All. NELFT’s infant feeding service recognises the importance of breastfeeding mums being seen and heard in the community. The team provides multi-level support with ease for new mums via phone, social media, and in-person face-to-face appointments.

First-time mum, Danica, used the infant feeding service after her son, Pharrell, was born. She said:

“I wasn’t entirely confident whilst feeding Pharrell and I was experiencing some pain which I now know since using the infant feeding service was because he wasn’t latching on properly.

“The service has been great! I was given tips and advice from feeding specialists and they give face-to-face help and help to see if any adjustments that need to be made. These were optional and there was no pressure to do so if you preferred not to, although for me this was very useful.

“Breastfeeding can take time to get used to. But with patience and the help of feeding specialists from the team it is totally achievable. I went from formula to mixed feeding and now I am exclusively breastfeeding.”

After Danica’s experience with the infant feeding service, she had this advice for other new mums:

“There are some amazing benefits of breastfeeding for both mum and baby, including protecting your baby from infections and diseases and lowering chances of obesity and cardiovascular disease. These are enough to encourage a struggling mum to continue her breastfeeding journey because it will get easier.

“I would 100% recommend the service as it gave me the confidence, knowledge, and help to successfully breastfeeding my baby. They even give you a follow up call to check all is well and check on your progress.”

The Infant Feeding and Family Hub team can support parents with all aspects of feeding their baby, whether that is helping them to breastfeed for as long as they want to, or support with formula feeding and introducing solid food.  

The team offer research-based guidance on infant feeding and all staff who provide one-to-one support have successfully completed a UNICEF Course and receive regular updates and reviews of practical skills.

Parents in the area can contact a support worker with questions about feeding their baby via Facebook  or call 0300 300 1999 Monday to Sunday, from 9am to 5pm.

To find out more about our infant feeding team, visit: Thurrock Brighter Futures Healthy Families - Infant feeding | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust