Infant feeding and breastfeeding

Breastfeeding

The Department of Health guidance states that breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby. It also supports the health of the breastfeeding parents too. Feeding your baby only breast milk is recommended for around the first six months. After that, feeding your baby breast milk alongside other food will help in their growth and development. Continued breastfeeding for two years and beyond also provides a valuable nutritional and protective contribution to health and wellbeing for both of you.

Visit the NHS Breastfeeding page for advice.

Formula Feeding

You may choose to formula feed your baby. Your Health Visitor will be able to advise you on formula feeds. Please contact the Health Visiting team on 0345 607 8866 if you wish to discuss this.

Visit the NHS Formula Feeding page for advice.

Introducing Solid Foods

The introduction of solid foods is recommended to begin when your baby is 6 months old, alongside breastmilk or formula feeds. If you would like to attend one of our introducing solids groups please contact your local Family Hub for details.

Visit the NHS Introducing Solid Foods page for advice.

Information and Advice and useful self-help resources

SCC Health Visiting

Breastfeeding Network

Healthy Suffolk - Breastfeeding

First Steps Nutrition Trust – Infants and New Mums

Getting local help

Virtual antenatal Breastfeeding workshops

Breastfeeding Support Groups in Suffolk

Breastfeeding out and about or returning to work

Baby Friendly venues in Suffolk

NHS Start4Life – Going Back to Work

Maternity Action – Continuing to breastfeed when you return to work

Support and advice in your local area

Click on your local area to find out what breastfeeding support groups are running in your local Family Hubs:

· Brandon, Mildenhall and Newmarket

· Bury St Edmunds

· Debenham and Eye

· Felixstowe

· Haverhill

· Ipswich

· Lowestoft and Waveney

· Saxmundham, Framlingham and Leiston

· Stowmarket

· Sudbury

Click on this link to Suffolk Infolink and search for your local Family Hub. Each Family Hub will have a timetable which will include breastfeeding support groups.

Getting Clinical Support

Call the Health Visiting service on 0345 607 8866 for further advice and guidance.

You can also contact the Health Visiting Service via the ChatHealth texting service on 07312 277 020.