Infant feeding

Breastfeeding is recognised internationally as the best way to provide babies with complete nutrition until they are about 6 months old as well as supporting good emotional development between baby and mother. 

The important thing to remember is that you’re not alone and there is a huge range of support available locally, both online and in-person. There are a large number of baby hubs and breastfeeding support groups around the area which:

• welcome new mums on a regular basis
• offer a welcoming environment
• provide ongoing support
• provide an ideal environment to ask questions if you have worries or concerns

So why not have a look below at some of the support on offer and start your breastfeeding journey.

Breastfeeding is a skill that takes time to get the hang of. Many mums wonder if their baby is feeding well and getting enough milk – especially during the first few days. It is important to remember that it can take a while to feel confident about breastfeeding but you are not alone. If you have any breastfeeding worries or concerns, the best thing to do is speak to your midwife or Health Visiting Service.

You can drop into any of the baby hubs across South Gloucestershire to meet other parents, talk to one of the health visiting team or get support for feeding your baby. Visit the baby hubs Facebook page for a list of South Gloucestershire baby hubs. There is also additional advice available online or from support groups, helplines and websites.

Throughout South Gloucestershire there are breastfeeding groups which offer a social and supportive space.   All groups welcome mothers doing any amount of breastfeeding and you can drop in any time. There are also two breastfeeding counsellors who attend the groups most weeks. You are free to drop in at a location that suits you.  Groups welcome siblings, partners, grandparents and friends and offer a drop in environment. If you are expecting, do feel free to go along and have a chat with the group before your breastfeeding journey begins. You do not need to be in need of support, you can join a meeting to meet other mums, share your own experiences and any useful tips.

If you are breastfeeding your baby when you are out and about, you will probably find that most of the time, nobody even notices. South Gloucestershire Council is committed to making breastfeeding the norm, and aims to create environments that promote, protect and support breastfeeding.  

The ‘Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme’ is supported by many establishments who have committed to being welcoming to breastfeeding mums and families. 

Find out more about the Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme on our Breastfeeding friendly establishments page. 

You can contact the helpline for independent, confidential, mother-centred, non-judgmental breastfeeding support and information.

Tel: 0300 100 0122 Lines are open 9.30am to 9.30pm, every day of the year.

There are two videos on the Best Beginnings website aimed at helping new and soon-to-be parents.

You can restart breastfeeding at any point.  The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers information on Restarting breastfeeding after a gap is a good place to begin.

The following resources give useful advice

• Expressing and storing breastmilk
• The Breastfeeding Network

Bristol Breastfeeding Mummies Facebook page provides information and support for those in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and surrounding areas.  If you would like to find out more and read the posts on this page you can request to join the group.

Some mothers also choose to give their babies donor milk.  Ideally, this is obtained from a milk bank where milk is screened and carefully prepared.  Visit the UKAMB website for more information.  The Precious Drops Milk Bank at Southmead Hospital in Bristol is one of the 15 UK milk banks and the only one in the South West.

Barnardo’s co-ordinates the South Gloucestershire breastfeeding support service which is commissioned by South Gloucestershire Council Public Health. We offer a free service to local families and provide:

• Regular breastfeeding support groups

• One to one online sessions with trained infant feeding practitioners.

• A non-judgmental friendly team and a safe, supportive space

• Assistance with any feeding questions or challenges you might have.

• Help finding further specialist support should you need it.

• Language translators on request.

This service is available Mon-Fri. To book your video call or to view available time slots, please visit the website: families.barnardos.org.uk/services/infant-feeding  or scan the QR code below.

In case of technical difficulties where contact with an administrator is required you can call/text 07593 685617 or email GIFT@barnardos.org.uk Please note this email/number is not for feeding support. 

Join us for Infant Feeding Celebration Week 2025 as we celebrate every feeding journey and every person who has helped a family reach their feeding goals. Join a celebration near you.

]If you are breastfeeding your baby when you are out and about, you will probably find that most of the time, nobody even notices. South Gloucestershire Council is committed to making breastfeeding the norm, and aims to create environments that promote, protect and support breastfeeding.

South Gloucestershire Council’s ‘Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme’ is supported by many establishments who have committed to being welcoming to breastfeeding mums and families.

If you are an establishment and would like to sign-up to the scheme, simply get in touch with us via email at: breastfeeding.friendly@southglos.gov.uk

[button url="https://find-information-for-adults-children-families.southglos.gov.uk/kb5/southglos/directory/results.page?qt=breastfeeding&channel=" text="Find Breastfeeding friendly establishments in our local directory" target="_blank"]

The Breastfeeding Network (BFN) ‘Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme’ is intended to show that an establishment has an interest in supporting breastfeeding families to have a positive experience of breastfeeding out and about. Neither the BFN or the Council takes any responsibility for guaranteeing a specific standard or customer experience in any establishment that has signed up. The venues are not checked or certified in any way by either the BFN or the Council and the Council cannot take responsibility for the facilities or staff in any venue displaying the BFN Breastfeeding Friendly logo.

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[accordion title="What can I do if I am discriminated against because I am breastfeeding?"]

If you have been asked to stop breastfeeding, or to cover up, or you have been refused services while you are out and about, you can inform the Council via email at: breastfeeding.friendly@southglos.gov.uk

Where the Council receives any feedback, the Council will endeavour to pass this on to the relevant establishment. Neither the BfN or the Council can enforce changes, however the Council will suggest a course of action to help and improve the Scheme. The Council reserves the right to remove participating establishments where there is evidence to suggest that the Scheme has been used inappropriately.

You can also make a complaint to the establishment. This includes complaints about how you were treated by other customers as well as members of staff. Ask the establishment if they have a complaints policy, this will tell you who to write to. Alternatively, you can look on their webpage for their complaints policy or find the address of their Head Office. You can make a complaint by email or by sending a letter, outlining what happened and when and who was involved. Think about what you would like to ask for to resolve the situation, for example, an apology and a commitment to providing staff training in breastfeeding rights.

If you have made a complaint and you are unhappy about the establishments response, you can take a case in a County Court in England. You should seek advice as these can be expensive cases to bring. You must start the case within 6-months of the day that it happened. This time limit will only be extended in very exceptional circumstances.

If you win your case, the Court can order compensation which can include an amount for injury to feelings. The Court can also issue an injunction or make a declaration that you have been discriminated against. If you lose, you may be ordered to pay the other side’s legal costs, so it is very important to get expert advice.

It is essential to get up-to-date advice as law and guidance changes. This guide is for information purposes only and should not be treated as legal advice. You are strongly advised to get personal legal advice about the individual circumstances of your case.

• Maternity Action: For information on maternity and parental rights at work and benefits: www.maternityaction.org.uk Tel: 0808 802 0029
• Citizens Advice: For information about your rights: www.citizensadvice.org.uk Tel: 03444 111 444
• Civil Legal Advice: If you are eligible for legal aid you can get free legal advice on 0345 345 4 345 (offers translation service). To check your eligibility: https://www.gov.uk/civil-legal-advice
• Equality Advisory Support Service: Help and advice on discrimination and human rights: https://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com/ Tel: 0808 800 0082 (Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 10am-2pm)
• Equalities and Human Rights Commission: For information and advice about discrimination law: www.equalityhumanrights.com
• GOV.UK: The Government’s online information service: www.gov.uk

Disclaimer: the information on this webpage will be updated as and when an establishment informs South Gloucestershire Council, otherwise it will be updated on a bi-annual basis (April and October). Should there be any incorrect information, the Council is not held accountable or liable.

It is important to ensure that all feeding equipment used is sterilised and that formula is prepared according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

If you have any bottle feeding worries or concerns you should speak to your midwife or health visitor Health Visiting Service – Children and Young People’s Services (sirona-cic.org.uk)Visit the NHS website for a guide on sterilising baby feeding equipment. Sterilising baby bottles – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

In most cases, if you are giving your baby infant formula, first infant formula, sometimes called first stage or stage 1 milk (whey-based) is the only formula they will need in their first year of life.

A simple guide to infant formula, follow-on formula and other infant milks and what formula to choose can be found below.

Types of formula milk – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Expressing milk means extracting milk out of your breasts so you can store it and feed it to your baby later.  You can express breast milk either by hand or with an electric or manual pump, whichever is more comfortable for you.

After you have expressed your milk, you should either give it to your baby straight away, or store it in the fridge or freezer.

Whether babies are breast or bottle fed, feeding should be responsive.  This means feeding your baby when they show signs of being hungry: look out for cues such as moving head and mouth around or sucking on fingers.  Crying is the last sign of wanting to feed, so try and feed your baby before they cry.  While babies are feeding, keep eye contact and hold the baby close. This helps them to feel safe and allows a secure attachment to develop.

Babies will feel more secure if most feeds are given by mum and her partner especially in the early weeks, as this will really help you bond with each other.

Bottle feeding advice gives formula-feeding parents a quick overview and tips on how to bottle feed responsively, and build up a close and loving relationship with your baby.

What infant formula to chose gives tips about choosing and using infant formula.  Remember, ‘first’ formula can be used up until 12 months of age.  And after that full-fat cow’s milk can be used.  You do not need to change to a follow-on formula at any time.

Starting solid food is all about experimentation and is an enjoyable stage for you and your baby.

The signs a baby is ready for solid foods are:

• they can sit up either independently or in a supported seat and stay in a sitting position, holding their head steady
• they can coordinate their eyes, hands and mouth so they can look at their food, pick it up and put it in their mouth
• they want to chew and are practicing with toys or other objects
• they can reach out and grab things

What to feed your baby

To start with, your baby only needs a small amount of solid food, once-a-day, at a time that suits you both.

Babies do not need salt or sugar added to their food or cooking water.  Babies should not eat salty foods as it isn’t good for their kidneys. Sugar can cause tooth decay. For information on your baby’s oral health Looking after your baby’s teeth – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

You can find information on what to feed your baby from these websites:

• • Start4Life
  • NHS your baby’s first solid foods
  • First Steps Nutrition