Breastfeeding Support – Childcare Carers & Staff Benefits

It can take a while to feel confident about breastfeeding, but you’re not alone. Your midwife and health visitor are there to help, guide and support you. There’s also lots of advice available online or via support groups, helplines and websites. From the breastfeeding friend to websites with advice, there is lots of support available. Our team also has provisions in place to support expressing in the workplace for those who are breastfeeding when they return to work.

Breastfeed Together

A team of volunteer breastfeeding peer supporters, based across the Bradford and Keighley areas. Formally known as the Bradford Breastfeeding Buddies.

You might have seen our peer supporters in your Parent Education classes or perhaps on the postnatal ward in hospital.

We will shortly be starting our friendly, informal support groups for you to come along and chat with us and other mothers.

We understand that everyone’s breastfeeding journey is unique and we would like to support you whether you are exclusively breastfeeding, mixed feeding, expressing or thinking about giving some breastmilk. Whatever your feeding goals are, we are here to listen and provide evidenced based information, to enable you to make the decisions that are right for you.

As always, if you have any breastfeeding concerns, if breastfeeding is painful or you are worried about your baby or your own health, please contact your Community Midwife or Health Visitor. Local Health Visitors can be contacted on 01274 221223 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

@BreastfeedTogetherBDCFT

Breastfeeding Friend from Start4life

If you have any breastfeeding questions this service is available 24/7, has lots of useful information and expert advice to share with you which is all NHS-approved. Whether you are experiencing breastfeeding difficulties, you’ve got sore nipples, or you want to know about vitamins and what to include in your diet – if its a breastfeeding related question, the Breastfeeding Friend is ready to help you https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-help-and-support/

Available on:

Amazon Alexa

Google Home

Facebook Messenger

National Breastfeeding Helpline

For independent, confidential, non-judgmental breastfeeding support and information, open 9.30am-9.30pm 365 days a year. All calls are answered by highly trained volunteers who are also mums who have breastfed.

Telephone: 0330 100 0212

Returning to Work When Breastfeeding

Returning to work after having a new baby is difficult enough, continuing to breastfeed should not make it harder. Support and facilities are in place to help support you on this journey.

Cool boxes and ice packs

These are available to loan (for as long as you need). These will be suited for staff working in the community, who may not have fixed work base. Breast milk can be stored in a cooler with an ice pack for 24 hours.

The below sites have facilities available in the community reception areas which staff can use

Westbourne Green Community Health Centre, 50 Heaton Road, Bradford, BD8 8RA
Canalside Healthcare Centre, 2 Kingsway, Bradford, BD16 4RP
Hillside Bridge Health Care Centre, 4 Butler Street West, Bradford, BD3 0BS
Undercliffe Health Care Centre, 17 Lowther Street, Bradford, BD2 4RA

These rooms may be suited to staff working in the area. There is not a booking system for the rooms as they are also available to the public.

Please contact the Childcare Coordinators who will be happy to support you and ensure a smooth transition back into work.

Useful links