Breast Feeding

The National Childbirth Trust has recently set up a National Breastfeeding Helpline (on 0870 444 8708), so that new mothers can obtain advice on breastfeeding from trained counsellors when and where they need it. The National Childbirth Trust also has a national network of trained counsellors who are able to come out and visit a mother in her own home if she is experiencing any particular problem that cannot be addressed over the telephone.

Thinking about calling a breastfeeding counsellor but feel unsure ?

Sometimes we hear that mothers want to call a breastfeeding counsellor, but they are hesitant to do so. Here are some answers to questions that might reassure you.

She might be unable to talk.

Yes she might be. The phone number you have is the counsellor's home number and she might be out or else otherwise busy. But she won't be irritated you've phoned. She'll suggest a better time to call or else take your number and call you back. There's no 'good time' to call a breastfeeding counsellor as each of them has a different timetable.

She might tell me to bottle feed and I so want to breastfeed

Breastfeeding counsellors never tell anyone to do anything. The breastfeeding counsellor is trained to find out what you want to do, what your priorities are and to help you and support you as you work towards them.

She might tell me to breastfeed and I so want to use formula.

Ditto

She might make me and my baby fell 'manhandled' and I've had enough of that.

Normally, breastfeeding counsellors don't touch mothers or their babies. It's a hands off approach.

I might cry on the phone.

Mothers often cry. Breastfeeding counsellors are not upset by this or embarassed. They will not tell you to calm down or stop making a fuss. They know how emotional the situation can be. Instead they'll wait until you feel able to talk.

I might not like the advice she gives me.

Breastfeeding counsellors don't give advice. They will help you to explore a range of options, backed up with some good technical knowledge of what helps breastfeeding work best. It's up to you what you do and the counsellor will be careful not to let you feel you should do one thing rather that another.

You don't have to give your name when you call a breastfeeding counsellor, though she may ask your name so she can recognise you if you call again. The service is totally confidential - if a breastfeeding counsellor has to ring you and leave a message, she won't even say she is the breastfeeding counsellor, she'll just leave her name or say she's from the NCT.

The breastfeeding counselling service is abosolutely free.

To call the National Breastfeeding Helpline, dial 0870 444 8707