Breastfeeding Advice & Support
Breastfeeding rates upon discharge from hospital in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are high. There is however, a decline in breastfeeding rates in the first two weeks at home so providing continuing support to breastfeeding mothers is essential.
* In history think about asking re excessive crying/parent coping and signposting where necessary (see Cry-sis and iconcope links below)
Peer support and groups:
- Cornwall Council website (including link to Facebook peer support group) https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/breastfeeding
- Professionals and families can access breastfeeding peer support by emailing Breastfeeding@cornwall.gov.uk
Cornwall Breastfeeding Groups:
- Cornwall Council website (including link to Facebook peer support group) https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/breastfeeding
Specific breastfeeding enquiries:
- Patient to contact their community midwife/health visitor
- Or GP/healthcare professional contacts below:
HealthVisitingInfantFeeding@cornwall.gov.uk - for patients under the health visiting team
rcht.Infantfeedingteam@nhs.net - for patients under midwife care and tongue tie
Maternity services: 01872 258000
Health visitor services: 01872 322779
Tongue Tie:
- Before 12 weeks: Any concerns regarding tongue tie should ideally be raised from the 8 week review and referred in then, for division before 12 weeks without GA. (refer via rcht.Infantfeedingteam@nhs.net )
- After 12 weeks: Tongue tie queries after 12 weeks will need to be referred to Max Fax for assessment and if needing revision are divided under GA.
Useful Links:
- Breastfeeding Network: Tips and prescribing info (useful patient leaflets): https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk
- Lactmed: In-depth prescribing information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/
- International Breast Feeding Center (https://ibconline.ca/): Useful information sheets and breastfeeding videos from lactation expert Dr Jack Newman:
- La Leche League (https://www.laleche.org.uk) - useful link for patients
- GP Infant feeding network The GP Infant Feeding Network (UK) | A Website to Assist Primary Care Practitioners with Best Practice in Infant Feeding (gpifn.org.uk)
- https://iconcope.org/parentsadvice/- useful resource on infant crying
- https://www.cry-sis.org.uk/- resource for infant sleep/crying issues including a helpline
Date Reviewed 04/11/2021
Next Review Date 04/11/2022
Author Dr Madeleine Attridge, RMS GP Sifter
Contributor Dr Rebecca Osborne, GPwSI Breast, RCHT