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A mother's milk is uniquely designed to meet the exact nutritional requirements of her baby. It also helps to protect babies from childhood diseases. Although breastfeeding is natural, the art of breastfeeding doesn't always come naturally.
Breastfeeding counsellors are volunteers trained to offer support and information to establish and continue breastfeeding. You can talk to them on any aspect of feeding from 0-5 years, including breastfeeding and returning to work, weaning, and specific troubles that may arise such as a blocked duct.
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Breastfeeding counsellors are available free of charge to all mothers, not just NCT members.
0870 4448708 any day
between 8am and 10pm.
For breastfeeding support through the NHS in Bristol, please also see the document at the very foot of this page (click on to download) or go to: www.avon.nhs.uk/kris and click on 'breastfeeding support'
Sometimes we hear that mothers want to call a breastfeeding counsellor, but they're hesitant to do so. Here are some answers to questions that might reassure you.
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 us has different timetables, although early evening is probably not a good time if you know the counsellor has small children.
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 feel '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 think I might cry on the phone.
Mothers often cry. Breastfeeding counsellors are not upset by this, or embarrassed. 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 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 than another.
You don't have to give your name when you call a breastfeeding counsellor, though she may ask you 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's the breastfeeding counsellor, she'll just leave her name or say she's 'from NCT'.
Heather Neil, Breastfeeding Counsellor and Tutor