Bright Start Islington

Islington Breastfeeding Support

In Islington we offer encouragement, support and up-to-date information for all local mothers and families to enable them to feed their babies and young children confidently and successfully. Since breastfeeding provides food and drink uniquely tailored for babies and also reduces the risk of many illnesses for both the baby and mother, we encourage mums to breastfeed, and support them in starting and continuing to breastfeed. For those who choose to bottle feed their babies, we aim to provide information to enable that to be done as safely and responsively as possible. Support is also available on introducing solid foods to babies.

Mum-to-Mum (Peer) Support

It can take a little while in the early weeks for the baby to learn how to breastfeed effectively. Talking to a trained peer supporter can often help mothers breastfeed their baby comfortably and manage any difficulties they might encounter. Peer supporters are local mothers who have breastfed their own children and have been trained by the Breastfeeding Network charity, commissioned by the NHS and Council in Islington, to support other mothers.

Peer supporters visit the postnatal wards of the Whittington and UCLH hospitals each morning, and contact all Islington mums by phone within a few days of giving birth. Home visits can be offered if needed during the early days after going home from hospital. We cannot promise home visits to everyone, especially at this time, but we do our best to make ourselves as available as possible. We cannot provide face-to-face support to households who are COVID-positive, symptomatic or shielding.

We also offer pre-booked breastfeeding clinic appointments and drop-in support groups. Telephone support is available during office hours - leave us a message and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Video call appointments can also be arranged, and we can be contacted by email and Facebook or Instagram messaging.

One-to-one support

Support provided by:

  • Email
  • Video calls by arrangement
  • Clinic appointments (please call us to book)
  • Home visits (limited availability)

Group support

Mondays: 1.30-3pm, Family Hub @ New River Green Children's Centre, 23 Ramsey Walk, N1 2SX
Tuesdays: 1.30-3pm, Bemerton Children's Centre, 1a Coatbridge House, Carnoustie Drive, N1 0DX
Thursdays: 9.30am-11am Moreland Children’s Centre, Gard St, EC1V 8BB
Fridays: 1-2.30pm Ambler Children’s Centre, Blackstock Rd, N4 2DR

(Please note: space is limited, so you may need to wait to be seen)

Online support group: Wednesdays, 1.30-3pm - please register on Eventbrite to receive the link.

Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme in Islington

Helping women feel comfortable to breastfeed when they are out and about can make all the difference between whether a mother continues to breastfeed or not, so many Islington businesses and venues have signed up to be breastfeeding welcome. They display 'breastfeeding welcome' posters and stickers, so that women wishing to breastfeed will know they’ll be welcome there, with staff orientated to help them.

Antenatal Support

An online antenatal Q&A session is run monthly, usually on Saturdays - a chance to learn about babies' early development after birth and how to feed baby responsively and effectively to support this, focused around parents-to-be's own questions and concerns. Understanding normal newborn behaviour and why it happens helps parents know what to expect - and what not to expect! - with their baby once he or she is here. For more information and to book please see Eventbrite or get in touch via the contact details below. We're always happy to see bumps as well as babies at our other online sessions too. 

See downloads for Islington's 'Milk and More' and other leaflets on feeding young children. See also Infant Feeding and Starting Solids pages.

Families can call Islington Breastfeeding Support on 020 3316 8439 - messages will be returned in weekday office hours - or their midwife or health visiting teams. Outside office hours please call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212.

We collect, receive and process your personal information as part of your perinatal care with Whittington Health NHS Trust and operate within Trust systems and policies. For more information on how we use your data, visit www.whittington.nhs.uk, see our Facebook page or contact us.

Support lines

9.30am-9.30pm, 7 days a week:
National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 100 0212 (press 2 for Polish)
Breastfeeding Network Supporterline 0300 100 0210
Bengali/Sylheti Supporterline 0300 456 2421

Other information and support

breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk
(includes webchat support)
globalhealthmedia.org/topic/breastfeeding
unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/support-for-parents
facebook.com/BfNDrugsinBreastmilkinformation

Who to contact

Contact Position
Service Manager
Telephone
020 3316 8439 020 3316 8439
E-mail
whh-tr.IslingtonBreastfeedingPeerSupport@nhs.net
Website
www.facebook.com/.../breastfeedingislington
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Location

Name of venue
Infant Feeding Office, Bingfield Primary Care Centre
Address
8 Bingfield Street
London
Postcode
N1 0AL

Time / date details

Time of day
Daytime

Other Details

Cost Details
Free of charge
Can I refer myself?
Referral not required
Referral Details

Mums can refer themselves, or can be referred by health visitors, midwives, GPs, children's centre staff or anyone else with the mother's permission.

External Links

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