Postnatal Support
Breastfeeding support and resources
Breast milk and/or infant formula are all your baby needs during the first 6 months. Making the decision on how you will feed your new baby can seem daunting, but there is lots of support available to help you.
Breastfeeding is a skill that can take time to learn. The health professionals involved in your care (midwives, health visiting staff etc.) have all been specially trained to support you in this. Any amount of breastfeeding has a positive effect and the longer you breastfeed the greater the benefits.
- Breastfeeding Information and Support Cornwall | A network of trained peer support volunteers who run group sessions across Cornwall
- National Breastfeeding Helpline | 0300 100 0212
- Association of Breastfeeding Mothers | A group of trained volunteers dedicated to supporting breastfeeding mums and their families
- Start4Life | Lots of breastfeeding information and support
- Overcoming breastfeeding problems | Unicef
- Breastfeeding after returning to work or study | Start4Life
- Eating well for new mums (including information for breastfeeding mothers) | First Steps Nutrition
Bottle feeding support and resources
If you're planning to bottle feed with expressed breast milk or infant formula, these tips will help keep your baby safe and healthy.
- Guide to bottle feeding: how to prepare infant formula and sterilise feeding equipment | Start4Life
- Bottle feeding advice | NHS
- A simple guide to infant formula, follow-on formula and other infant milks | First Steps Nutrition
- How to combine breast and bottle feeding | NHS
Introducing solid foods
Introducing your baby to solid foods should start when your baby is around 6 months old. We offer FREE face-to-face sessions for parents and babies across Cornwall. In these sessions we will talk about when and how to introduce solid food to your baby and appropriate foods to try.
- Ready, Steady... Eat! An introduction to solid food | Healthy Cornwall Training
Solihull Approach (online)
- Understanding your baby | Designed for everyone around the baby supporting you and the new arrival from birth to 12 months. Written by psychologists, psychotherapists and health visitors.
- To access the Solihull Approach courses visit www.inourplace.co.uk, click on 'Start Now' and add the access code 'TAMAR' for free access.
Maternity and Paternity rights
- Maternity pay and leave | Gov.uk
- Maternity Action | Offer information and free telephone advice on rights at work for pregnant women and new parents.
- ACAS | free and impartial advice for employers and employees
Postnatal exercise
When you're feeling tired, being active may seem like the last thing you want to do. But regular activity can relax you, keep you fit and help you feel more energetic. It can also help your body recover after childbirth and may help prevent postnatal depression.
Safe sleep
- Safer sleep for babies | The Lullaby Trust