Welcome to Plymouth Latch on Breastfeeding Groups
Here is our new face to face timetable for all Latch on groups
If you require any feeding support, whether you are breast feeding, combination feeding, formula feeding or would like to re-lactate this is readily available.
You can contact your usual Midwifery service. The maternity triage number is 01752 430200
In addition your Health Visitor can be contacted on 01752 434008.
Support is available via the Plymouth Latch On Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/PlymouthLatchon/)
Please feel free to message the page at any time for support – we will get back to you as soon as possible and can offer support through messenger, telephone or 1:1 video calls.
Useful Facebook groups ;
Plymouth
Plymouth Breastfeeding Mums Facebook Page
Plymouth Latch on Facebook Page
0-19 Health Hub (Health Visiting team Plymouth page)
University Hospitals Plymouth Maternity Services
La Leche League Devon and Cornwall
Devon
Early Nourishment Groups North Devon
NHS Torbay Infant feeding Facebook
National
Breastfeeding Counsellors Facebook support group
Breastfeeding Counsellors Facebook page
The Breastfeeding Network Drugs in Breastmilk Information Service
Helplines
NCT Feeding Line 8am to midnight every day 0300 330 0700
Association of breastfeeding mothers Helpline 9.30am to 9.30pm 0300 100 0212
You can also message the page during working hours with queries.
Breast pump hire is still available. Please email support@barnardos.org.uk for information
For families using formula:
All first stage formula milks are regulated to the same standards.
First Steps Nutrition provide unbiased, evidence based information for health professionals and parents on formula here; https://www.firststepsnutrition.org/infant-milks-overview
Why Breastfeed?
The benefits of breastfeeding for a mother and her baby are not just measured in health terms, but in the pride a mum feels when she looks at her healthy, growing breastfed baby. The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. You and your baby will continue to reap the benefits even after the introduction of solid foods into your babies diet.
Any amount of breastfeeding will have a positive impact on your baby’s health and development.
Just one day of breastfeeding makes a difference to a baby’s health by stabilising their blood sugars, protecting their gut and providing natural antibodies against disease.
Thank GOODNESS for breastfeeding:
For information on how to breastfeed, please ask your Midwife, Health Visitor or Latch on peer supporter. You can find some common breastfeeding positions and information on good attachment in our Bump to Baby or the NHS/Unicef leaflet ‘Off to the best start’
Map below has all breastfeeding groups in Plymouth (and wider Devon).
Devon Libraries offer baby weighing in various locations details here Baby weighing in Devon libraries
All groups are correct as far as we know – if there are any changes/corrections please let us know on oneyou.plymouth@nhs.net and we will update the map
Below are details of the groups in Cornwall
Devon groups are here; devon.gov.uk/positive-about-breastfeeding/support-groups/
Benefits for baby
- Breastmilk gives your baby all the nutrients she needs
- Breastmilk is easy for your baby to digest
- Breastfeeding helps protect your baby from ear, tummy and urinary infections by passing on the mother’s antibodies
- Breastfeeding helps mother and baby to bond both physically and emotionally
- Breastfed babies are less likely to develop childhood diabetes or become obese in later life
- Breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from asthma or eczema
- Breastmilk is available at all times, and is warm, clean and free
- Breastfed babies benefit from improved neurological and cognitive development
Benefits for Mum
- Breastfeeding mothers have a reduced risk of developing ovarian and breast cancers
- Breastfeeding mothers are less likely to suffer from weak bones in later life
- Breastfeeding helps the uterus to contract faster
- Breastfeeding can help delay the return of your periods
- Breastfeeding uses up at least 500 calories every day
- Breastfeeding gives you a special intimate time with your baby
- Breastfeeding gives you and your baby time to get to know each other
As well as getting you and your baby off to the best possible start, you are also helping the environment too:-
- Breastmilk does not need to be warmed up, no kettles to boil!
- Breastmilk does not need to be packaged or labelled
- Breastmilk does not need to be transported miles to reach the consumer
You can do something amazing for your baby, give breastmilk.
Plymouth Latch on is part of the Livewell Southwest Wellbeing team.
Enjoy a Healthier Life
One You Plymouth is a health promotion hub, a point-of-contact that anyone can use to find out about lifestyle issues and how to make changes that can help prevent ill-health. It is backed up by professionally trained Health Improvement staff.