Barnardo’s launches online infant feeding service for mums
Mums who want to learn more about feeding their infants can get free, online help from experts thanks to a new service from Barnardo’s.
The Barnardo's Online Infant Feeding Service enables mums to have a friendly, one-to-one chat with a specialist practitioner with knowledge about all aspects of infant nutrition.
That includes support for those hoping to breast feed, those weaning babies and those returning to work.
The Barnardo’s service is open to any mum living in Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, Bristol and North Somerset and because it is online, those living in rural areas can access the support they need quickly and easily.
The charity will also be continuing to run its South Gloucestershire breastfeeding support service on behalf of South Gloucestershire Council. Six peer support community groups are run in Yate, Thornbury, Patchway, Staple Hill, Cadbury Heath and Hanham with the help of volunteers. Council run breastfeeding groups are available in Bristol and North Somerset.
Barnardo’s has a long tradition of providing support to new parents and enabling young children to have the best start in life. The infant feeding services play a key part in building parents’ confidence in the first months of a baby’s life and in Gloucestershire will be delivered as part of Barnardo’s local family support services covering Gloucester, Stroud and the Forest of Dean www.tfsservices.org.uk.
Lucy Champion from Barnardo’s said: “When the country went into lockdown we had to take our breastfeeding support online and it proved very successful. We realised that it made it more accessible for parents living in rural areas such as Cinderford and Lydney where transport can be difficult.
“Although we can now run face to face breastfeeding groups once more, our new online infant feeding service builds on that and will support mums across a much wider area, whether they decide to breast, bottle feed or do both. We are particularly keen to reach mums who wouldn’t normally be able to access groups in towns.
“The service is non-judgemental. We provide information and support mums to decide what is best for them.”
Barnardo’s is funding the new online service which means that mothers can access specialist support totally free. That includes Growing Together antenatal sessions and Nurture You for emotional wellbeing. Parents can also find out about weaning, sleep issues, individual problems with breastfeeding and the best way of introducing bottles.
Slots can be booked from 8am and at lunchtimes to help mums who have returned to work. Lucy said: “Our team are experts with decades of experience between them and mums can access advice from their own homes.”
Mothers who have used the service said: “It’s friendly and supportive and plenty of time is given to talk through and answer questions. The team are very easy to talk to and very helpful in a non-judgemental way.”
Details of the infant feeding service and how to book can be found at https://families.barnardos.org.uk/services/infant-feeding or you can email [email protected].
Find out more about the South Gloucestershire Breastfeeding Service at https://www.breastfeedingsouthglos.co.uk/.
Editor’s notes:
For further information please contact Margaret O’Reilly, Barnardo’s regional communications team on 07827 977830 or email [email protected].
Last year more than 382,000 children, young people, parents and carers were supported by Barnardo’s through nearly 800 services and partnerships across the UK, such as young carers, care leavers, foster carers and adoptive parents, training and skills or parenting classes.
We work to transform the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and every year we help thousands of families to build a better future.
Visit www.barnardos.org.uk to find out more.
Call the 24 hour press office number on 020 8498 7555.
Registered charity No. 216250 and SC037605.