pageping
A Better Start Southend
en English
af Afrikaanssq Albanianam Amharicar Arabichy Armenianaz Azerbaijanieu Basquebe Belarusianbn Bengalibs Bosnianbg Bulgarianca Catalanceb Cebuanony Chichewazh-CN Chinese (Simplified)zh-TW Chinese (Traditional)co Corsicanhr Croatiancs Czechda Danishnl Dutchen Englisheo Esperantoet Estoniantl Filipinofi Finnishfr Frenchfy Frisiangl Galicianka Georgiande Germanel Greekgu Gujaratiht Haitian Creoleha Hausahaw Hawaiianiw Hebrewhi Hindihmn Hmonghu Hungarianis Icelandicig Igboid Indonesianga Irishit Italianja Japanesejw Javanesekn Kannadakk Kazakhkm Khmerko Koreanku Kurdish (Kurmanji)ky Kyrgyzlo Laola Latinlv Latvianlt Lithuanianlb Luxembourgishmk Macedonianmg Malagasyms Malayml Malayalammt Maltesemi Maorimr Marathimn Mongolianmy Myanmar (Burmese)ne Nepalino Norwegianps Pashtofa Persianpl Polishpt Portuguesepa Punjabiro Romanianru Russiansm Samoangd Scottish Gaelicsr Serbianst Sesothosn Shonasd Sindhisi Sinhalask Slovaksl Slovenianso Somalies Spanishsu Sudanesesw Swahilisv Swedishtg Tajikta Tamilte Teluguth Thaitr Turkishuk Ukrainianur Urduuz Uzbekvi Vietnamesecy Welshxh Xhosayi Yiddishyo Yorubazu Zulu
Are you an ABSS family?
X
en English
af Afrikaanssq Albanianam Amharicar Arabichy Armenianaz Azerbaijanieu Basquebe Belarusianbn Bengalibs Bosnianbg Bulgarianca Catalanceb Cebuanony Chichewazh-CN Chinese (Simplified)zh-TW Chinese (Traditional)co Corsicanhr Croatiancs Czechda Danishnl Dutchen Englisheo Esperantoet Estoniantl Filipinofi Finnishfr Frenchfy Frisiangl Galicianka Georgiande Germanel Greekgu Gujaratiht Haitian Creoleha Hausahaw Hawaiianiw Hebrewhi Hindihmn Hmonghu Hungarianis Icelandicig Igboid Indonesianga Irishit Italianja Japanesejw Javanesekn Kannadakk Kazakhkm Khmerko Koreanku Kurdish (Kurmanji)ky Kyrgyzlo Laola Latinlv Latvianlt Lithuanianlb Luxembourgishmk Macedonianmg Malagasyms Malayml Malayalammt Maltesemi Maorimr Marathimn Mongolianmy Myanmar (Burmese)ne Nepalino Norwegianps Pashtofa Persianpl Polishpt Portuguesepa Punjabiro Romanianru Russiansm Samoangd Scottish Gaelicsr Serbianst Sesothosn Shonasd Sindhisi Sinhalask Slovaksl Slovenianso Somalies Spanishsu Sudanesesw Swahilisv Swedishtg Tajikta Tamilte Teluguth Thaitr Turkishuk Ukrainianur Urduuz Uzbekvi Vietnamesecy Welshxh Xhosayi Yiddishyo Yorubazu Zulu

Top Tips for Supporting Breastfeeding

Information for partners, family and friends who are supporting a breastfeeding parent.

Introduction

Breastfeeding is a way of feeding a baby that gives them the nutrients they need to grow and stay healthy. Breastfeeding provides the perfect balance of nutrients tailored to your baby’s needs and supports their healthy growth and development. It helps protect against infections and illnesses by boosting your baby’s immune system, while also promoting bonding and emotional connection between mother and baby. Breastfeeding can support recovery after birth and has long-term health benefits, such as lowering the risk of certain cancers.

 

In LGBTQ+ families, sometimes one or both parents may breastfeed, depending on their bodies and personal choices. For example, in some families, a non-birthing parent may also be able to breastfeed through a process called induced lactation. Every family is different, and what matters most is finding what works best for them and their baby.

Breastfeeding may be a natural process, but it is not always easy and support from a partner, family member or friend can really help to encourage and sustain breastfeeding.

Did you know?

Breast milk is tailor-made for your baby as it:

  • contains vitamins and minerals
  • is always available
  • offers protection from certain infections
  • helps baby's long term health

Being prepared before baby is born

It’s good to find out as much as you can about breastfeeding before you have your baby, including attending ante-natal classes. It may help you feel more confident to support your partner when the baby is born.

 

The Southend Hospital Infant Feeding Team (HIFT) offer Antenatal Workshops. These monthly group sessions are offered at Southend Hospital. These sessions focus on feeding and bonding. Please ask your Midwife for more information or contact the Hospital Infant Feeding team on 07824 523506.

 

Southend Health Visiting service offers an Antenatal contact; this is a chance to meet the Health Visiting team who will support you after your baby is born. Invites for contacts are usually sent from 28 weeks of pregnancy and will either be a home visit or group offer.

Did you know?

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and childhood diabetes. Any amount of breastfeeding is beneficial but exclusively breastfeeding your baby for a minimum of 6 months or longer offers even more protection.

Breastfeeding also helps your partner because:

  • their uterus gets back down to size more quickly
  • it releases a hormone called oxytocin that helps them feel calm and connected to the baby
  • it protects their health – lowers their risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Health visiting 0-5 – Livewell Southend
Your Pregnancy - Mid and South Essex NHS

After Baby is Born

If your partner is having any difficulties with breastfeeding after your baby is born there is lots of support available.

 

Discuss with your Midwife or when the Health Visitor visits you at home, between 10-14 days after birth. All Health Visiting and Family Centre staff have breastfeeding support training and can help and also refer on to the Specialist Health Visitors if any further ongoing support is needed.

Postnatal Support
  • A postnatal infant feeding support group will take place weekly at the Blenheim Family Centre. Parents attending will receive individual support from a trained infant feeding specialist.
  • There are also weekly parenting groups locally that offer feeding support. Search the Southend Supports Breastfeeding interactive map and find your nearest breastfeeding and baby-friendly venues. All venues have been verified by the Southend Supports Breastfeeding team.
Local breastfeeding friendly venues - Southend Supports Breastfeeding
Did you know?

Colostrum is the first milk breasts produce in the few days following birth. It is thick and golden yellow in colour. Colostrum is very concentrated and full of vitamins and antibodies. All of this helps baby to grow and thrive, build their immune system, fight off infections, and helps to establish a normal gut microbiome.

Breast Pumps

Breast pumps are devices that help extract milk from a lactating breast.

 

They can be manual or electric and are used for various reasons, such as relieving engorgement, maintaining or increasing milk supply, or collecting milk to feed the baby later. Breast pumps are especially helpful for parents who are returning to work, have a baby in neonatal care, or simply want to share feeding responsibilities with a partner or caregiver.

Breast Pump Loan Services

If you would like to borrow a breast pump, the Southend Hospital Infant Feeding Team and Local Southend Family centres have breast pumps that are free to borrow. Speak to your Health Visitor or call the Southend Family Centres on 01702 220810.

Support can be given around fitting and using breast pumps too. Call the Specialist Infant Feeding Health Visitors on 01702 534913.

Did you know?

The love hormone oxytocin is released when a mother breastfeeds, it promotes a feeling of closeness and connection with her baby.

But oxytocin isn’t limited to just breastfeeding mothers. It works in a similar way when you hold, cuddle and care for your baby too!! All of this helps baby to grow and thrive, build their immune system, fight off infections, and helps to establish a normal gut microbiome.

Giving the right support and information

Supporting and encouraging someone who is breastfeeding can make a big difference to their confidence and how they enjoy the experience.

 

They can be manual or electric and are used for various reasons, such as relieving engorgement, maintaining or increasing milk supply, or collecting milk to feed the baby later. Breast pumps are especially helpful for parents who are returning to work, have a baby in neonatal care, or simply want to share feeding responsibilities with a partner or caregiver.

 

Here’s some helpful information to check that your knowledge is up to date:

Did you know?

Health professionals recommend "responsive" feeding – this means following baby's cues and feeding them when they are hungry, rather than to a strict schedule.

Responsive bottle feeding includes both expressed breastmilk and formula feeding

Responsive breastfeeding - The Breastfeeding Network
Infant formula and responsive bottle feeding - UNICEF

How dads, partners, family and friends can support the breastfeeding parent

1

Be emotionally supportive

Breastfeeding can be very tiring and both physically and emotionally demanding. Offer encouragement, patience, support, reassurance, and a listening ear—especially during those tough moments.

2

Help with practical tasks

Take care of household chores, meals, shopping, and older siblings so they can focus on feeding and resting. Every little bit helps reduce stress.

3

Learn about breastfeeding

Understanding how breastfeeding works, the challenges it can bring, and what’s normal (like cluster feeding or growth spurts) can help you support them better and spot when extra help or encouragement might be needed.

4

Bond with the baby in your own way

Breastfeeding doesn’t mean you can’t connect. Cuddle, talk, change nappies, bathe, wear the baby in a sling—these moments are key to building your own special bond with baby.

5

Look after their health and wellbeing

Make sure they are eating, drinking enough water, and getting rest. Sometimes, just making a cuppa or bringing snacks can mean the world!

6

Be an advocate

In healthcare settings or around family and friends, you can be the one to speak up if they are too tired, overwhelmed, or unsure what to say. You can also ensure there are not too many visitors and there is quiet time too!

7

Help them seek support

Encourage them to reach out and seek support if they need it – support is out there!

Breastfeeding out and about

When thinking about feeding out and about in public places it may feel a little scary. In Southend we have a scheme called ‘Southend Supports Breastfeeding’ that aims to normalise, encourage and welcome breastfeeding across the City of Southend, so that breastfeeding parents feel confident to breastfeed, whenever and wherever they need to.

Southend Supports Breastfeeding

As not every family will have the choice to breastfeed exclusively or continue breastfeeding, at Southend Supports Breastfeeding all infant feeding choices are considered and supported.

If you click on the link below it will take you to the Southend Supports Breastfeeding website where you can access an interactive map of breastfeeding friendly venues that have signed up to the scheme.

Breastfeeding friendly venues
- Southend Supports Breastfeeding
Explore these YMCA videos for breastfeeding guidance and support

Local Support

Cake Club

Cake Club run weekly groups in and around the Southend area. Most sessions combine the sling library and infant feeding support with a social and supportive playgroup.

Visit Website
Slings-on-Sea

Offers individual support and advice for parents and carers who want to carry their children, with a range of slings and carriers available for hire, suitable from newborn to toddler.

Visit Website
Southend Breastfeeding Circle

Southend YMCA provides both group and online support for breastfeeding.

Visit Website

General Online Support

24-hour National Breastfeeding Helpline

Open 24 hours a day, every day of the year – offers friendly, non-judgemental, support and information to anyone in the UK.
Tel: 0300 100 0212

Visit Website
Start for Life - Breastfeeding

Lots of helpful information, including a guide to how to latch your baby onto the breast in 4 steps.

Visit Website
Association Of Breastfeeding Mothers

ABM are a group of trained volunteers dedicated to supporting breastfeeding mums and their families.

Visit Website
The Breastfeeding Network

The Breastfeeding Network (BFN) provides independent breastfeeding support and information. The Breastfeeding Network supporter line in Bengali and Sylheti: 0300 456 2421.

Visit Website
La Leche League

La Leche League (LLL) provide parent-to-parent breastfeeding support. Counsellors are all trained volunteers and there is a helpline open 8am – 11pm, every day of the year.
Tel: 0345 120 2918

Visit Website
UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative

There are various helpful videos to support breastfeeding:

UNICEF also provides parents who are bottle feeding with an overview on how to bottle feed responsively and, for parents who are formula feeding, how to choose an infant formula. You can view this information here.

Visit Website
First Steps Nutrition

First Steps Nutrition give lots of information on good nutrition from pre-conception to five years.

Visit Website
Infant Milk Info

Infant Milk Info provides information on infant milks (for 0 – 12 months).

Visit Website

Mental Health and Wellbeing Support

Perinatal mental health refers to a parent’s emotional and psychological wellbeing during pregnancy and in the first year after birth. It includes a range of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, postnatal depression, and in more severe cases, postnatal psychosis. These challenges can affect anyone, regardless of background or experience, and can have a significant impact on both the parent and their relationship with their baby. Recognising the signs early and seeking support is key — perinatal mental health is treatable, and with the right help, parents can recover and go on to enjoy their relationship with their child. It’s important to know that struggling during this time doesn’t mean you’re failing — it may mean they need extra support.

Useful for links and resources relating to Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
Livewell Southend has information on local community groups, and general advice and guidance for health and wellbeing.
Download this resource

You can download a printable version of this information using the button below.

Download this resource
ABSS Family Resources
View all our Resources

Or explore based on categories: