Breastfeeding Support Team

If you are pregnant or a new mum and need any support or information, you can speak to a member of staff between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday at Breastfeeding Support Sefton.

Local mums who have been trained as breastfeeding ambassadors can support you. Outside these hours, you can contact the national 24-hour national breastfeeding helpline.

The service is managed by Netherton Feelgood Factory, a community led, healthy living centre, operating in Sefton. It relies on ambassadors with a passion for supporting new mums working alongside midwives, health visitors, specialist feeding infant service and family wellbeing hubs.

The service includes antenatal and postnatal care to support breastfeeding mums in a variety of ways, including group, phone, one to one support and social media.

You can find updates on our Facebook page which gives information about antenatal infant feeding sessions, well baby clinics and local breastfeeding support groups, which will be held in children's centres across Sefton.

If you would like to become a breastfeeding ambassador, please contact Carol Miles at the Feelgood Factory.

Email: Carol.Miles@feelgoodfactory.org.uk

The service is part of the healthy child programme which provides services for children and young people from birth to age 19 across Sefton.

Breastfeeding in a sling can sometimes be practical, but it must be done with caution.

The baby’s airway must be clear at all times, and you must be able to see your baby’s face throughout the duration of the feed.

Hands free breastfeeding in slings is not recommended for very young infants, as this can increase the risk of suffocation.

If breastfeeding in a sling:

• Always support the baby’s head and back
• Use one hand to ensure proper alignment
• Adjust the sling after feeding and return your baby to an upright position with their head clear of your body and the sling fabric.

Always seek advice if concerned – visit or call NHS 111, your own GP, health visitor or midwife.

You can visit the NHS website for advice, search: Is your baby or toddler seriously ill? - NHS Or scan this QR code

When coughs, colds and tummy upsets peak, your little one’s ability to feed well may be affected.

Babies may struggle to suck swallow and breathe if they are congested, causing them to feed less as they may get tired quickly. Some may feed more because the feeding is taking longer, or they need more comfort from the breast. If they have an upset tummy this can lead to vomiting and or diarrhoea which can result in not enough calories for energy to feed and grow if symptoms persist.

The following will help:

• Regular and effective handwashing
• Avoiding contact where possible with people that are unwell
• The whole family receiving recommended immunisations as offered.

If breastfeeding or combination feeding

• Continue to breastfeed or give expressed breastmilk by bottle or cup even if you have symptoms of illness, this will pass on protection from illness (immunity) to your baby
• You may need to try a different position for feeding, more baby upright positions can help such as koala hold where your baby straddles your thigh or hip while sitting upright
• Keep a close eye on your own breast health, when babies are not feeding as frequently or as effectively as usual this can result in blocked milk ducts and mastitis for the mother. You can search ‘Mastitis and Breastfeeding’ or ‘breast feeding advice from the Breastfeeding Network’
• You can use your local feeding support groups to support challenges and get help and advice from others. 

If formula feeding or using bottles

• Make sure all feeding equipment is thoroughly washed, sterilise until baby is six months old (including feeding bowls and spoons), and for one year old for any device containing breast or formula milk
• Make sure guidelines on safe preparation are followed
• Babies may tolerate smaller feeds more often when unwell and always benefit from a paced feeding technique.

For more information you can search: Bottle feeding - Start for Life - NHS   

Or scan this QR code

Sometimes the first sign babies give us that they are unwell is to reduce their feeds, always seek medical advice promptly if reduced feeds or any of the following are a concern to you.

• Nappies are drier than usual, or urine (wee) looks darker colour

• Changes in stooling (poo)
• Vomiting
• Temperature changes if your baby feels hotter than usual, colder than usual or hands and feet are very cold despite warm body
• Blotchy, pale skin, any rashes
• High pitched or prolonged crying
• Very sleepy or difficult to wake
• Changes in breathing such as breathing fast, noisy breathing, flaring nostrils with breaths, tummy sucking in under ribs, excessive noisy coughing.    

You can call NHS 111 who will assess and advise, GP, midwife, health visitor, or 999 in an emergency.

Contact us

If you are pregnant or a new mum and need any support or information, you can speak to a member of staff from Breastfeeding Support Sefton between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

Telephone 07921 388 535 and 0151 291 8010.

Follow us on Instagram – scan the QR code below to find us:

• Start for Life - Fast, friendly, anytime, trusted NHS advice on breastfeeding your baby
• Breasfeeding Support Facebook group
• Follow the Breastfeeding Support group on Instagram with the below QR code

• The Feelgood Factory is a community led, healthy living centre in Sefton
• The Lullaby Trust - offers advice on safe sleeping with a range of publications also available in other languages.