Breastfeeding and infant feeding support

You, your baby and feeding

Breastfeed or formula feed your baby?

At Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, we want to help you make the choice that is right for you and your baby.

We support you to follow your baby's feeding cues and to trust your instincts. Feeding is a special time that helps you build a close and loving relationship with your baby.

Below is some helpful information to support you during this time and to show you where you can get extra help if you need it.

All Healthy Family Team staff are trained to support parents with feeding. Some families may need extra help, especially if feeding is difficult. We also have Specialist Infant Feeding Leads who are Lactation Consultants. They can help with more complex feeding issues. Find out more about the Specialist infant feeding leads

The Trust is proud to have achieved the Unicef Baby Friendly Initiative Gold sustainability accreditation. This is the highest level of award. It recognises excellent and long term support for infant feeding and for building strong parent baby relationships.

Safer sleep for babies

Safer sleep in the summer: Keeping babies cool in hot weather can be challenging, especially when travelling or on holiday. The Lullaby Trust has created advice to help you keep your baby safe and comfortable during the summer months.

Safer sleep on holiday: Planning ahead can help you create a safer sleep space wherever you are staying. A cot, travel cot or Moses basket are the safest options. If these are not available, there are other safer alternatives you can consider.

Preparing for baby’s arrival and getting to know your bump

During pregnancy, you may spend a lot of time thinking about your baby. You might wonder what your baby will look like, what name you will choose, or how you will feed them. Some parents even give their bump a nickname to help them feel more connected.

You may notice your baby moves more at certain times of the day. Your baby may also respond to your voice or to loud sounds. Taking time to notice this can help you feel closer to your baby.

Try talking to your bump, gently stroking it, and involving your partner or other children. This helps build a strong bond before birth and supports your baby's brain development.

Useful information is available on the Building a Happy Baby (unicef.org.uk) website.

After birth, there are many ways to grow this bond. You can:

look into your baby's eyes
respond to their sounds and babbling
copy their facial expressions
smile and talk to them

Holding and cuddling your baby is very important. Babies cannot be spoiled. Responding quickly to their needs helps them feel safe and calm.

Research shows that loving and responsive care supports your baby's emotional, social and mental development. It also helps you and your baby enjoy a strong and happy bond.

Thinking about reasons to breastfeed

During pregnancy, your body starts to prepare for breastfeeding. You may notice changes in your breasts. This can be a good time to learn more about feeding and to think about what might work best for you.

The value of breastfeeding and breast milk

Breastfeeding gives your baby more than nutrition. It can support your baby's health, growth and development. Breastfeeding can also have health benefits for you.

You can find more information here: