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!
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.
Local breastfeeding support groups
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.
What to expect at a breastfeeding support group
There are many different types of breastfeeding support groups. Some are run by charities, such as NCT, but most are run 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. Friendly words of advice and wisdom might help make life a little easier and it’s always good to meet other mums in your area, and listen to their stories.
Your local breastfeeding support group
Your local group might meet in a health centre, community building or cafe. Whatever type is available to you, they're all a great way to 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.
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.
Find a breastfeeding support group in your local area
There are breastfeeding support groups all around the country, run by trained midwives and health visitors.
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!
Due to the current coronavirus situation, breastfeeding support groups will not be running at the moment. Please contact your Midwife, Health Visitor or Family Nurse for support. Alternatively, please call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 1212, NCT on 0300 330 0700 or La Leche League on 0345 120 2918.
Online breastfeeding support groups
You can now join NCT breastfeeding support groups online.
- Thursdays 10:30-11:30am
- Wednesdays 10:30-11:30am
To register, fill in the form here. Your email address will only be used to send a link to the Zoom log in. Minimal and non-identifiable data collection will occur, but data will only be collected for monitoring.
If you have any queries, please contact Zoe Brown on 07732 690813 or lothian.peers@nct.org.uk.
La Leche League – Breastfeeding support for mothers
LLL Edinburgh are working hard to keep supporting mothers with their breastfeeding journey while maintaining social distancing. They are trialling TWO regular weekly online meetings on Fridays at 10:30am and 8:00pm. All face to face meetings are suspended until further notice. As always are meetings are FREE, although we do welcome donations.
We are also available for 1:1 support and can be contacted via Facebook messenger, email hello@llledinburgh.co.uk or phone Eden 0131 336 2641, Sarah 07842078527 or Karla 07702599503.
The National Breastfeeding Helpline
Call 0300 100 0212 whenever you need breastfeeding support and information.
The National Breastfeeding Helpline offers non judgmental, independent, evidence based, mother centred breastfeeding information, support and reassurance.
Whether you want to breastfeed for one day, one week, one month, one year or more, we're here for you. All calls are answered by volunteers - all are mums who have breastfed, and all have been highly trained by the Breastfeeding Network or the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers.
The helpline is open on 0300 100 0212 every single day of the year, 9.30am-9.30pm. A webchatservice is also available here.
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.
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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.
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The Baby Friendly Initiative: Breastfeeding Assessment Tools
Unicef's Baby Friendly Initiative have also created handy 'checklist' tools, so mums can look out for signs that their baby is breastfeeding well and safely.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Please note: all links on this page are to external sites and will open in a new browser window. The Scottish Government cannot be held responsible for the information appearing on websites outside their control.
