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.
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 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
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 webchat service is also available here.
Coronavirus update
The National Breastfeeding Helpline continues to be open as usual from 9:30am – 9:30pm every day on 0300 100 0212. If you're looking for evidence-based, independent, non-judgmental breastfeeding support and information then we would love to hear from you. All calls are answered by volunteers in their own homes. They are all mums and are all trained and supported by the Breastfeeding Network and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers to provide breastfeeding support over the phone.
We know that your usual sources of breastfeeding support probably aren’t as accessible right now and we have adapted to ensure we can support as many families as possible. We have increased capacity on the Helpline so almost all callers are currently able to get through first time. We have also introduced a voicemail option so that if you can’t get through, you can leave a message and someone will return your call within 24 hours. If talking online is easier for you, our live webchat is open as much as possible and our volunteers also offer support via messenger on our social media pages.
In areas where face-to-face groups would usually run, various alternatives types of peer support have been set up. These include social media, email, telephone and video call support, the details of which can all be found on the Breastfeeding Network website.
So please, reach out for support. We are here for you.
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.
NCT 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.
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.
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.
NHS Grampian
You can find details of support available from NHS Grampian here.
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.
NCT Glasgow Breastfeeding Buddies
You can now join NCT Glasgow Breastfeeding Buddies support groups online.
- Mondays 1.30pm – 2.30pm To register, please fill in this form: https://forms.gle/PAWNmwfCNkCFmHQX8
- Thursdays 1.30pm – 2.30pm To register, please fill in this form: https://forms.gle/XSe1iDDRGSidaqMq7
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 Jocelyn Smith at glasgowpeers@nct.org.uk
Glasgow Breastfeeding Buddies can also offer 1:1 support with an NCT trained Breastfeeding Peer Supporter via telephone, video call, text or messenger. Please find details on our Facebook page or email: glasgowpeers@nct.org.uk.
The Breastfeeding Network
The Breastfeeding Network has trained peer support volunteers in some areas of Scotland. At the moment our face to face support options are suspended due to coronavirus but there are still lots of other ways for you to get in touch with 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
- BfN Greater Glasgow and Clyde Families
- 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
- 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.
Helpful links to breastfeeding support
Ready Steady Baby
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 - 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
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.
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National Childbirth Trust: feeding your baby
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
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
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
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
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: 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.
