Breastfeeding Islington

It's nearly Christmas! Our holiday drop-in group timetable will be posted here very soon, but rest assured nothing's changing for this week - all groups are open as usual. Next week all our groups will be closed, but you can still leave us a message and one of us will get back to you as soon as possible, or the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 is open throughout the holiday period.

Did one of our team make all the difference to your breastfeeding journey? Or maybe there were other inspiring maternity workers you’d love to see recognised. Why not drop them a nomination? http://www.mama-conference.co.uk/awards-n omination-2019.html

It's World Prematurity Day - for us, #PrematurityIs new mums often missing out on breastfeeding support because of the isolating experience that being in NNU can be. Hands up to all the premmie mummies managing to make the time and space to express their amazing milk that's so incredibly important for any baby, but even more so for those who are born too soon. If you've been there, why not get in touch with us to find out more about sharing your experiences with other families at our Archway breastfeeding support group, which particularly welcomes premature babies? https://www.facebook.com/Blisscharity/vid eos/10156183074954858/?t=144

Anyone fancy helping out with this research?

Tomorrow! If you’re at a loose end, why not pop in and share your experiences of having a new baby in Islington with other families-to-be?

Know anyone who's having a baby? Why not send them along to Bright Start's Birth and Beyond open day to find out about all the services available to them in Islington - including ours! If you're breastfeeding a baby under four months old, we'd love to see you and your little one at the informal stay and play running as part of the event - do drop in at some point if you're free.

Shout out to all you crafty mamas! Could you or someone you know help BfN with some makes?

We've had lots of interest for our breastfeeding support training, but there may still be spaces available - application deadline extended to 5th November! Get in touch quick if you'd like to know more.

It may be half-term for some but our breastfeeding support groups are running as usual all week - today you'll find Alice at Paradise Park Children's Centre from 9.30-11am, Thomasina at Ambler Children's Centre from 1-2.30pm and Patrizia at New River Green Children's Centre from 1-2.30pm. Why not pop in?

It may be half-term for some but our breastfeeding support groups are running as usual all week - today you'll find Donna at Moreland Children's Centre from 9.30-11am. Why not pop in?

It may be half-term for some but our breastfeeding support groups are running as usual all week - today you'll find Alice at Bingfield Primary Care Centre from 9.30-11am and Patrizia at Archway Children's Centre from 1-2.30pm. Why not pop in?

It may be half-term for some but our breastfeeding support groups are running as usual all week - today you'll find Patrizia at Hungerford Children's Centre from 1-2.30pm. Why not pop in?

It may be half-term for some but our breastfeeding support groups are running as usual all week - today you'll find Karen at Conewood Street Children's Centre and Sherridan at Hornsey Road Children's Centre, from 1.30-3pm. Why not pop in?

Can you spare a few minutes to share your thoughts about donor milk?

You can ask the Mayor of London and London Assembly about the things that matter to you at People’s Question Time Islington, at Islington Assembly Hall on 23 October, 7-9pm. Book your free ticket at www.london.gov.uk/pqt We'd like to hear more about his plans to make London a Baby Friendly city as part of his Health Inequalities Strategy* - what about you?
*www.london.gov.uk/…/defau…/files/his _implementation_plan.pdf

We're looking for new future breastfeeding support volunteers to join our training course starting next month - could it be you?

At Bright Start Islington’s conference today it was so inspiring to hear first hand what a positive, empowering and rewarding experience Islington’s first Parent Champions have had over the past year. So successful have they been that it’s time to recruit some more - could it be you spreading the word about family services in your local community and helping those around you to access them?

Wonderful service - home visits and drop-ins just when you need the support. Fantastic.

The team have been hugely helpful to me - doing house visits and offering much needed guidance when I was really lacking confidence.

The staff are extremely helpful. They visited me whilst I was extremely ill post labour and have me the courage to breastfeed my baby. They also provided me with support at home whilst I was immobile and support at the childrens centres where I met not only qualified staff but other mothers starting and carrying on breastfeeding. I cannot thank them enough for all the hard work and also non judgmental caring environment.

The Islington breastfeeding team have been a fantastic support during the past four weeks - from advice and support in the hospital, to the phone advice at any time of day or night, to home visits and breastfeeding groups. This service has been invaluable in coping with and overcoming ongoing challenges, and the positive approach and encouragement has lifted me time and again. Keep up the amazing work!!

Thank you so much for the fantastic support you've given us. My baby is now nearly 5 months old and is exclusively breastfeed. We had a tough start to feeding with a complex delivery and a jaundiced and incredibly sleepy baby that wasn't able to latch for the first 12 hours and lost nearly 12% of her birth weight. We stayed in hospital for 4 nights and started a tiring 3 hour feeding routine that involved waking (which took ages!), attempting to breastfeed, re-waking, attempting to feed on the other side, topping up with extra milk and then expressing for the next feed...before starting over again! We were very lucky to meet someone from the breastfeeding team on the ward who was able to set me up with expressing and teach me how to cup feed - as I didn't want to move to formula and a bottle so early on. Our feeding challenges continued - and it took 6 weeks for my baby to regain her birth weight, and longer until we were able to stop the top-ups. Throughout this time, I had some incredible support from the team - with numerous phone calls, home visits and trips to the Paradise Park drop-in centre where Alice helpfully identified a posterior tongue tie. I definitely wouldn't have managed to continue exclusively breastfeeding without your support. Thank you so much. I really hope that the service continues to receive funding beyond March 2019 so that it can help other new Mums and babies to learn to breastfeed comfortably.

Really great service. Very knowledgeable. Highly recommend.

My baby had a tongue tie and wouldn’t feed at all when he was born. After a home visit from Marion he latched on for the first time, and for the next 3 months we dealt with all sorts of problems - an incomplete tongue tie division, cracked nipples, nursing strikes and supply issues. I wouldn’t have got through it without the lovely ladies at the Moreland drop in. There was one particularly low day when I went to the drop in very upset and the next day I got an unexpected home visit to check if I needed any extra help. Massive thank you for the sympathy, advice and support! I’m pleased to say at 8 months old my son is 100% breastfed (even though I’m back at work - thanks for the advice on that too!) and big for his age. We wouldn’t have managed it without you!

Marion came to visit us on the post natal ward yesterday. Her advice and support was invaluable and we have tried implementing the techniques. I've been struggling with sore nipples today and feeding at home, I contacted her and she has organised someone to come to my home this afternoon. Cant say what a relief it is knowing a service like this exists....so grateful. What excellent care. Thank you.

Marion arrived at my door and it was as if a guardian angel had been sent. I was really struggling with feeding and emotionally very fragile. Marion could not have been kinder or more patient. Her advice and kind words both gave me tools and techniques to try but also the confidence to trust my instincts and the faith that perseverance would pay. Such an amazing service and run by such amazing women. Thank you so much.

Like the previous reviewer I had a difficult labour with significant blood loss and it messed with my milk production. After 4 day’s in hospital I was desperate to leave, but my baby was underweight and they were threatening to keep us in even longer. One of your visitors (Heidi? Maybe?) came and helped me. She also let me cry and talk about the birth and it was just so lovely to feel that support. The next day she came back with some more suggestions and help. Now we have just got home and I am breastfeeding in the wee small hours. Thank you so much for your help!!

I had the most brilliant advice, demonstration and support from the amazing breastfeeding team! Now feeding my baby is a joy!

I had a difficult delivery and a baby who wouldn’t latch. After being in hospital 4 nights with a baby who was loosing weight we ended up doing top ups so when I got home I was devastated that my delivery hadn’t gone to plan and now I can’t even feed my own baby. I called for support and was met with such calm and friendly advice over the phone, whilst waiting for my home visit. Heidi came and made me feel so much better about the situation and didn’t judge or make me feel bad about the top ups. The feeding is going well and we have been able to just breastfeed which is amazing. The whole service is just invaluable, I couldn’t recommend it enough.

Heidi you rock, you rock, you rock

7kg of baby later, you still rock

Network thanks for being our rock

Extremely helpful, knowledgeable and friendly people. Really helped our family in the early months of getting breastfeeding established and so good to know we can just drop in still when needed. Thank you so much for all your support - part of our fond memories from the early days with our daughter

Esther made a home visit to our house the day after I called up in despair- our previously good feeder baby was now pulling back every time he locked on. Esther sat with us for over an hour, we tried different positions, isolated the problem, and she calmed me, my husband and my baby so much. We had the best nights sleep in ages as baby was feeling easily, and we're all a very happy family again. Thank you so much Islington Breastfeeding Support- just amazing service.

Breastfeeding Islington are the reason that I am successfully b.feeding my daughter. Cannot thank them enough!

An absolute god send!! It's thanks to the ladies involved with this that we're still forging ahead on our breast feeding journey. Invaluable advice, support and generosity of spirit and a must visit for anyone finding it hard to feed their baby on the boob. They really will help get you back on track.



Personally I'd like to say a massive THANK YOU to Marion, Sheridan & Patrizia for getting us this far - u're awesome! xx