We’re starting and ending August with not one, but two breastfeeding weeks – World Breastfeeding Week and Black Breastfeeding Week. Find out more and how you can get support with breastfeeding.
At the beginning of the month, from 1-7 August, we marked World Breastfeeding Week. We shared stories on our social media from our Breastfeeding Counsellors, including Carol.
Carol’s breastfeeding journey started in hospital while her daughter was very ill.
“I was shown how to hand express colostrum, which included getting my partner involved by collecting it with the syringe,” she told us.
“Whilst away from my daughter we religiously set the alarm to both wake up to express and collect milk. At a week old she fed from the breast for the first time.”
Carol is now committed to offering others the support they need with feeding their babies.
We also shared information about our free feeding support. This includes our Infant Feeding Line, which is open 8am to midnight, every day of the year, including weekends and Bank Holidays. Just call 0300 330 0700.
We also have Baby Cafés, which offer face to face support with feeding your baby all over the UK. To find out if there’s one in your area, take a look at our local activities finder.
There’s lots of free information on our website about however you’re feeding your baby. Take a look at all our articles here.
Next week, from 25 – 31 August, we’ll celebrate Black Breastfeeding Week. This year will mark the 10th Black Breastfeeding Week in the US, and the fifth in the UK. The aim of the week is to share families’ stories, and support and uplift each other. Find out more about Black Breastfeeding Week.
Black Breastfeeding Week was set up to target racial disparity in breastfeeding rates, and Kimberly Seals Allers was one of the founders of the first Black Breastfeeding Week in the US. Read her Top 5 reasons we need a Black Breastfeeding Week.
You can also read our article, Is breastfeeding ever black and white?
Our Infant Feeding Line is available every day of the year (even Bank Holidays) from 8am to midnight and completely free. Call 0300 330 0700 (option 1).
We’ve got lots of information on all types of feeding on our website, and feeding support groups and Baby Cafés across the UK and Channel Islands. See what’s going on in your area here.
We really enjoy sharing stories from our community. If you’d like to feature on our social media during Black Breastfeeding Week, please email content@nct.org.uk.
