Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed baby, some of the benefits of breastfeeding include:
- breast milk is perfectly designed for your baby.
- breast milk protects your baby from infections and diseases.
- breast milk is available for your baby whenever your baby needs it.
- breastfeeding can build a strong emotional bond between you and your baby.
- breastfeeding also provides health benefits for you.
Formula milk does not provide the same protection from illness and does not give you any health benefits.
Watch the video below to find out more about breastmilk and how it is tailored to baby:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2adrIKweZTE
Support with feeding
Breastfeeding takes time and practise and it can take weeks for you to become confident with breastfeeding but there is lots of support available to help you get off to a great start.
In November 2024, Flying Start Luton achieved Stage 1 & 2 of the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative! Flying Start were recognised by UNICEF for their levels of knowledge and skills to support parents to have close and loving relationships with their baby, promote breastfeeding and support mothers with feeding their baby.
Breastfeeding support and social groups in Luton
Our breastfeeding and social support groups are a great place to get support with breastfeeding and meet other breastfeeding mothers. Sessions are drop in, there is no need to book.
- Tuesdays: 9.15am to 10.45am at Farley Community Centre (Delphine Close, LU1 5RE)
- Tuesdays: 1pm to 3pm at Hockwell Ring Community Centre and Family Hub (Mayne Ave, LU4 9LB)
- Thursdays: 9.30am to 10.30am at St Francis Church (Carteret Road, LU2 9JZ)
- Fridays: 9.30am to 11.30am at Flying Start Centre in Pastures Way Nursery (Pastures Way, LU4 0PE)
National Breastfeeding Helpline
Independent, confidential, mother-centred, non-judgmental breast-feeding support and information
24 hours a day, every single day of the year
0300 100 0212
National Breastfeeding Helpline Website
Other information and support
- Lots of information on Infant Feeding is available via our Luton family hub website and the Hospital's website
- There is also information in your Early Days Booklet
- Free feeding support groups and information available through La Leche League
- NHS Start 4 Life
- Breastfeeding network
- Baby Buddy App- Free App with over 200 videos to support parents including feeding
- 'off to the best start' leaflet about feeding your baby
Become a breastfeeding buddy
A Breastfeeding Buddy is a mum who has breastfed for at least three months, and has volunteered to support other breastfeeding mums. Buddies are given training to help support breastfeeding mothers and keep up to date with the latest information on breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding Buddies offer mothers skilled emotional and practical support with breastfeeding and model breastfeeding as an everyday part of life at Breastfeeding support and social groups, alongside the 0-19 team and Flying Start and hospital staff. If you are interested in becoming a breastfeeding buddy visit: https://familyhubs.luton.gov.uk/babies-breastfeeding-buddies
Free to feed campaign
All women and their children should be free to breastfeed in public, anytime, anywhere. This is the vision of the #FreeToFeed campaign, launched in July 2019 to support mothers across Luton and Bedfordshire to raise their confidence and understanding among the public, businesses and venues. For more information visit:
https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/FreeToFeed
Information on bottle feeding
