Coronavirus breastfeeding local information

Amid the current pandemic of widespread infection and difficulties in purchasing formula milks, breastfeeding has never been more important for the health and wellbeing of our babies and their mothers. Current understanding is that COVID-19 cannot be passed to your baby via breastmilk. Infection could be spread to the baby in the same way as to anyone in close contact with you. However, the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission of the virus through breastmilk or by being in close contact with your child. Therefore guidance is that breastfeeding babies should stay with their mothers and continue to be breastfed. Practise excellent hand hygiene: washing thoroughly with soap for a minimum of 20 seconds after touching face or surfaces and before handling your baby. If you are symptomatic, then you can consider wearing a mask when handling and feeding baby. We know that breastmilk is likely to be part of baby’s best defence against the virus if they do contract it; and we know that there are currently shortages of alternative milks for baby, so we hope that this information sheet on breastfeeding support will be useful.

Lancashire and South Cumbria local support with breastfeeding during COVID-19

If you are considering beginning breastfeeding for the first time, aiming to increase breastmilk supply because of formula shortages, or having breastfeeding complications that you’d like some support with, then we’ve put together some information about how to access support. Face to face breastfeeding peer support groups have been suspended to protect all. Visits from your midwifery and health visiting service will continue to some degree, but may be not be undertaken face to face or be reduced going forward. However, there are many ways to access support and information from a trained peer supporter or lactation consultants within our area and nationwide, during classic ‘working hours’ and also round the clock, which may be of use. These services are available by telephone, via social media groups and in some cases via WhatsApp video call or similar. NB. THESE ARRANGEMENTS COULD CHANGE DAILY ACCORDING TO STAFF AVAILABILITY but we will update the information regularly. We have agreed care pathways across Lancashire and South Cumbria so that if you require more specialist support, those delivering the below services can refer you onto it.

Families and Babies Lancashire (covering North, Central, East and West Lancashire)

Staffed by peer supporters. Tel: 01254 722929 (9.30am – 2.30pm, 7 days a week) FAB Lancs Breastfeeding Support

Blackpool and Fylde Coast Breastfeeding Support

Staffed by peer supporters and lactation consultants. Fylde Coast Breastfeeding Support

South Cumbria Breastfeeding Support

Staffed by peer supporter/lactation consultant. ann@cumbriabreastfeeding.org.uk South Cumbria Breastfeeding Support SCBS In it Together (new group)

Barnoldswick, Burnley and Colne BFFs

Staffed by peer supporters. Barnoldswick Group Burnley Group Colne Group

Blackburn with Darwen

Staffed by infant feeding support workers and volunteer peers supporters. Tel: 01282 803266 (Voicemail facility – please leave name, contact number and support question and we will respond with two working days.)

Blackburn with Darwen’s Breast Intentions

Staffed by volunteer peer supporters. Breast intentions (BwD infant feeding support)

East Lancs NCT Feeding Support

Staffed by peer supporters. branch.eastlancashire@NCT.org.uk Burnley Bumps and Babies

National support

National Breastfeeding Helpline

Tel: 0300 100 0212 (9.30am – 9.30pm, 7 days a week) National Breastfeeding Helpline

The Breastfeeding Network Drugs in Breastmilk

A service for information on medications or medical conditions and breastfeeding – factsheets written by pharmacist Dr Wendy Jones (MBE). Breastfeeding network drugs fact sheets

La Leche League Helpline

Tel: 0345 120 2918 La Leche League Helpline

NCT Helpline

Tel: 0300 330 0700

Lactation Consultants of Great Britain

An interactive map enables you to find expert and experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) support. Many of our colleagues are using videocalls, email and phone support as a priority during the present COVID-19 situation. (NB Private IBCLC support may incur a fee.) Find an IBCLC

Online support

Breastfeeding Twins and Triplets UK

Breastfeeding Twins and Triplets UK

Breastfeeding With CMPA and Other Food Allergies

Breastfeeding With CMPA and Other Food Allergies Support Group UK

Breastfeeding Yummy Mummies

Evidence based information and support, administration by a team of qualified breastfeeding peer supporters, health visitors, midwives and IBCLC. Breastfeeding Yummy Mummies

Support in other languages

Breastfeeding support in other languages

Information sources for health professionals

UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service (UKDILAS)

Information around medications whilst breastfeeding