Finding breastfeeding support

From local antenatal and breastfeeding groups, to organisations offering advice and information, to support from family and friends, there's lots of help out there for breastfeeding mums. You just need to know where and how to ask for it!

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How can I meet other breastfeeding mums like me?

In the early days, it’s normal to feel a bit lonely. You might be tired and sore after labour and having a bit of struggle getting used to feeding, but it does get easier with time. With so many things to carry and remember, getting out of the house becomes that little bit more tricky. But meeting new mums at support groups will help to build your confidence.

The great thing about meeting other breastfeeding mums is that they know just how you feel, and you don't need to feel shy about breastfeeding in front of them because you'll all be in the same boat. Breastfeeding support groups are a great way to meet and chat with other mums who are going through the same things you are – you can find out what to expect and how to find a local group by following the links below.

In this short film, mum Vanessa explains how attending a local breastfeeding support group helped her on her breastfeeding journey.

What can I expect at a breastfeeding support group?

There are many different types of breastfeeding support groups. Some are run by charities, such as NCT, the Breastfeeding Network or La Leche League, and some by your local midwife or health visitor. They are all there for the same reason, to help support mums as they get to grips with feeding.

Your local group might meet in a health centre, community building or café. Whatever type is available to you, they're all a great way to meet other mums in your area, make new friends and share the ups and downs of breastfeeding. You'll generally meet a mix of new mums and volunteers who have breastfed before and are trained in breastfeeding support. You don't have to book a place – just go along when you can. They aren’t just for newborn babies, but also for mums with older babies who want some support with feeding a growing baby. It’s a friendly and very supportive community network and a few friendly words of advice and wisdom might help make life a little easier.

Infant Feeding Advisors

If you are having more complicated feeding problems, your midwife or health visitor will be able to tell you if there are any specialist Infant Feeding Advisors and clinics in your area. Watch the following film to see how different mums find the support they need in a variety of places – towards the end of the film you'll see mums enjoying a chat together at their local breastfeeding support group.

The National Breastfeeding Helpline

The National Breastfeeding Helpline offers non-judgmental, independent, evidence based breastfeeding information and support.

Whether you want to breastfeed for one day, one week, one month, one year or more: we're here for you. Calls are answered by volunteers who all have personal experience of breastfeeding and have been highly trained by the Breastfeeding Network or the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers.

We understand that breastfeeding support needs to be available to you when you need it and how you need it. That’s why the helpline is open on 0300 100 0212 every single day of the year, 9.30am-9.30pm. A webchat service is also available here, and you can drop us a message on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Find a breastfeeding support group in your local area

There are breastfeeding support groups all around the country, run by trained breastfeeding supporters.

These groups are a great way for you and your baby to meet new friends, and a chance to have a good chat about the highs and lows of breastfeeding!

You can find a support group near you using the interactive map here.

If you can't find a group in your area, please contact your midwife, health visitor or family nurse. Alternatively, you can call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 1212, NCT on 0300 330 0700 or La Leche League on 0345 120 2918.

NHS Grampian

You can find details of support available from NHS Grampian here or email gram.breastfeedingsupport@nhs.scot.

NHS Highland

You can find out more about breastfeeding support groups and breastfeeding friendly venues on the NHS Highland website. You can also find breastfeeding friendly venues in the Highlands using this interactive map.

NHS Lanarkshire

If you have a question or need support with any aspect of feeding, NHS Lanarkshire Infant Feeding Team can help. We offer online, telephone and “Near Me” video calls to anyone living in Lanarkshire. Find us on our Facebook page and Facebook group or call 01698 366710, 7 days a week, 09:30-17:00.

NHS Lothian

You can find out more about breastfeeding support groups running in the Lothian area here.

La Leche League – Breastfeeding support for mothers

For breastfeeding information, local groups, and one-to-one support please see our national website.

NCT Glasgow Breastfeeding Buddies

NCT Glasgow Breastfeeding Buddies provide free breastfeeding support to parents in the postnatal and neonatal wards and host support groups within the Greater Glasgow & Clyde community.

To find out more about our drop-in groups in the Greater Glasgow & Clyde area check out our website here.

If you have any queries, you can contact us directly at glasgowbreastfeedingbuddies@nct.org.uk.

You can find further details of all our support options here: Glasgow Breastfeeding Buddies.

NCT Lothian Breastfeeding Buddies

You can now join NCT Lothian Breastfeeding Buddies in-person and online.

In person support at our weekly Breastfeeding Drop-In Group (Kidzeco, Livingston, West Lothian) Tuesdays 1000 – 1100.
In person support at our weekly Breastfeeding Drop-In Group (Inch Park Community Sports Centre) Tuesdays 1345 – 1500.
Online support at our weekly Breastfeeding Online Drop-In Thursdays 1030 - 1130
In person support at our weekly Breastfeeding Walk & Talk Fridays 1000 - 1100

Lothian Breastfeeding Buddies also offers 1:1 support with NCT trained Breastfeeding Peer Supporters via telephone, video call or message at a time that suits you.

To register for any of our groups or a 1:1 session please follow this link: https://linktr.ee/LothianBreastfeedingBuddies.

If you have any queries, please contact Zoe Brown at lothian.peers@nct.org.uk.

You can find further details of all our support options on our Facebook page.

NCT Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

If you're in the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire area, the NCT Early Days Drop In Group is also running sessions on Zoom. Find out more on their Facebook page or by contacting Tracy on mothermeerkat@gmail.com.

The Breastfeeding Network

The Breastfeeding Network has trained peer support volunteers in some areas of Scotland. Face-to-face indoor and outdoor groups are starting to re-open gradually. To find out more about what support is available in your local area, please contact us.

Ring the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 or message them on Facebook @NationalBreastfeedingHelpline.
Find your local Facebook page or group to chat to other mums and trained peer supporters
- @BfNAyrshireandArran or Ayrshire Breastfeeding Centres,
- @MidBreastfeeding (Midlothian Breastfeeding Alliance)
- @BreastfeedingForthValley
- @BfNGGC (BfN Greater Glasgow and Clyde Families) (information is also available via their Linktree page here)
- Fife Breastfeeding Café (with the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers)
- @WesternIslesBfN
Send an email to your local team of peer support volunteers and we can offer support via email or arrange to call you back to offer free 1:1 support over the phone or via video call
- ayrshire@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk
- forthvalley@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk
- peersupportglasgow@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk (Greater Glasgow and Clyde area)
- midlothian@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk
- westernisles@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk
Join in with a virtual breastfeeding group video chat to say hello to other mums and peer supporters without leaving the house! Details of the groups and links to join are on our various Facebook pages

If you're pregnant and have any questions about feeding your baby when it arrives or if you just want to chat to someone please get in touch. All our volunteers are mums who have breastfed their own children and completed training so that they can support other families.

Search for a local group by postcode

Helpful links to breastfeeding support

Ready Steady Baby

The Ready Steady Baby website guides you through the stages of your pregnancy and through the first 8 weeks with your new baby.

UNICEF - The Baby Friendly Initiative

Unicef's Baby Friendly Initiative was established in 1992 to encourage maternity hospitals to start following the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. The website has great info on the key benefits of breastfeeding, based on trustworthy research.

The Baby Friendly Initiative: Breastfeeding Assessment Tools

Unicef's Baby Friendly Initiative has also created handy checklist tools, so mums can look out for signs that their baby is breastfeeding well and safely.

National Childbirth Trust: feeding your baby

The National Childbirth Trust is UK's leading charity for parents, supporting them with accurate and up-to-date info, plus the evidence to back it up.

The Breastfeeding Network

The Breastfeeding Network is a recognised Scottish Charity and an independent source of support and information for breastfeeding women. It has a wealth of downloadable leaflets on lots of useful topics.

La Leche League

La Leche League aims to help mothers to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information and education. As well as info, the site has online forums where mums can ask each other for advice and share their experiences.

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers

The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM) website offers up to date breastfeeding information, the latest research, details of breastfeeding support groups throughout the UK, and links to other useful sites. You can apply for membership, order publications, or find books on breastfeeding.

Best Beginnings

The Best Beginnings website is a great source of info and has a brilliant series of videos, "From Bump to Breastfeeding", showing you what to expect when meeting your baby for the first time, breastfeeding, attachment, feeding in public and overcoming challenges.

Bliss: for babies born premature or sick

Bliss have produced a great downloadable booklet to help mums of premature or sick babies express their breast milk and breastfeed their babies. It includes the benefits of breast milk, a feeding plan, guidance on expressing and storing breast milk, and loads of top tips. This booklet is also great for health professionals supporting parents of of premature or sick babies.