Free Feeding Support and Resources
There is a variety of free feeding support services and resources which are available. Libby offers a range of free feeding support through both local and national feeding initiatives and charities. The Milk Hub also offers discounted or ‘pay what you can afford’ options for any of their services, just get in touch if you would like to chat about these options.
The Milk Hub Facebook Group
This is a Facebook Group for parents who are breastfeeding/ chestfeeding, combi-feeding or pumping. It is a supportive safe space to ask questions, and a great opportunity to meet other parents and celebrate milestone moments.
There is trained infant feeding support available within the group for straightforward feeding queries. Libby also hosts a variety of live sessions in the group, on topics such as introducing solids and expressing. All of this support is free of charge.
You can request to join The Milk Hub Facebook Group here.
The National Breastfeeding Helpline
You can speak to a trained Breastfeeding Counsellor via the National Breastfeeding Helpline (0300 100 0212) which is open from 9.30am until 9.30pm every single day. You can also live chat with a Breastfeeding Counsellor via their website: https://www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk
Cake Club
If you are in the Southend area, you can access free & low cost feeding, parenting and sling support from Cake Club. Their details are here.
Libby from The Milk Hub can be found regularly at the Leigh and Shoebury Cake Club sessions. Jo and Georgia also support a number of Cake Club sessions too.
Medication and Feeding
If you have questions about medication and breastfeeding/chestfeeding, then you can access the Drugs in Breastmilk service which is run by The Breastfeeding Network. They have a variety of factsheets regarding feeding and commonly used medications such as pain relief. They also offer a service where you can speak to a pharmacist about your specific situation via Facebook or email. For more information please click here: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/detailed-information/drugs-in-breastmilk/
Online Resources
There are a variety of online resources which provide reliable, evidence based information about breastfeeding. They include: