Infant feeding, advice and support

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Infant feeding, advice and support

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One feed at a time campaign

Torbay's One feed at a time campaign

We’re here to support you, because you need nurturing too, one feed at a time.

We’re here to support you, because you need nurturing too, one feed at a time.

About the One feed at a time campaign

Torbay Family Hubs brings together all the support a family may need from pregnancy through to young people turning 19. An important part of this journey is infant feeding.

Part of this infant feeding journey may involve breastfeeding which delivers many benefits for both child and mother. However, we do also know that it can be challenging, especially without support.

The ‘One Feed At a Time’ campaign has been created to raise awareness of and promote breastfeeding in an informed, positive way. With this campaign, we wanted to be able to reach families across Torbay to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and foster positive attitude around this, but also to provide support for families to initiate or prolong their breastfeeding journeys in private, public and professional settings.

We spoke to families across Torbay to help us understand their needs. Our research showed us that:

Families wanted to be as prepared as possible for breastfeeding. They wanted to have the right knowledge not just of the benefits, but also of the challenges and support available around them.
Knowing that they could ask for help will provide a boost of comfort to many mothers. Mums across Torbay also told us how important it was to them to be able to find the right support quickly and easily.
Families wanted communication that showed the realities and challenges of breastfeeding and recognised that these could be common.

One Feed at A Time was created to help open those conversations around breastfeeding and direct families to a diverse range of free support across Torbay to allow them to attempt breastfeeding for as little or as long as they feel comfortable.

you can find out more about breastfeeding by clicking through to the breastfeeding page.

Support services:

There are a range of free support services available around Torbay, which you can find by clicking on our supporting infant feeding in Torbay page.

You can get help and advice from here

Torbay Infant Feeding Helpline: 07500 952216
Maternity: 01803 656588
0 to 19 Torbay Advice line: 0300 333 5352 or download our Torbay Family Hub App from the Apple or Google Play Store and chat to us.
National Breastfeeding helpline: available 24 hours a day, every day of the year 0300 100 0212 or chat via their website

Breastfeeding

Attaching and Positioning at the breast

Positioning and attachment are the key to successful breastfeeding! Positioning is how you hold your baby at the breast and attachment is what your baby does when they latch on to the breast. It’s important to get this right so that:

Breastfeeding

Feel confident breastfeeding with tips on what to expect. Learn how your unique breast milk benefits your baby’s health and fosters a special bond.

Knowing what to expect when breastfeeding should help you feel as confident as possible when you’ve just given birth and want to breastfeed your baby.

Your breast milk is uniquely made for your growing baby’s needs. Your breast milk can make a big difference to both you and your baby’s health. The longer you feed your baby breast milk, the more they benefit. Breast milk gives your baby all the nutrients your baby needs for around the first six months of life (and beyond). Breast milk may help protect your baby against infection, childhood illness and obesity. As a mum, breast feeding also reduces your chance of getting some illnesses later in life such as breast and ovarian cancer, and naturally uses approximately 500 calories a day and breast milk is free!

The skin to skin contact that breastfeeding naturally provides, enables a very special bonding experience for you and your baby. It will help to comfort you and your baby, helping baby to feel warm, calm and at ease. Being close to your baby also encourages your milk stimulation. Responsive feeding describes the sensitive, mutual nature of feeding when mother and baby respond to each other’s needs and cues. For example the mother can offer her breast if the baby appears unsettled or if the mother feels full and wants to sit down with her baby.

After a while you will be able to identify when your baby is hungry. Common signs are stirring, facial movements, eyes flickering, wriggling, moving head/mouth around, rooting for the breast, sucking fingers, crying.

Click on the links below to find out more

If you would like to find out more about becoming a breastfeeding peer supporter, click here

Breastfeeding and medication

Taking medication while breastfeeding can be confusing and concerning. Sometimes, the information on the leaflet inside the packet isn't clear about the safety of the medication. To help with this, the Breastfeeding Network has produced some Drugs Factsheets. You can also find out more from the NHS, breastfeeding and medicines.

Breastfeeding and Returning to Work

Returning to work after maternity leave doesn’t mean you have to stop breastfeeding. The following websites have more information but if you need to discuss your situation in more detail you are welcome to contact our Infant Feeding team on 07500 952216.

Breastfeeding and Sleep

Your baby will wake frequently to feed in the early days and weeks and while this is tiring for parents it is entirely normal. Talk to your midwife or Health Visitor for tips on how to manage this stage or find out more about baby sleep from Basis, the baby sleep information source

Breastfeeding grief

Breastfeeding grief is the sadness and emotional pain some mothers feel when they can't breastfeed as they had hoped. This can happen for many reasons, like medical issues, lack of support, or difficulties with the baby latching.

Breastfeeding Twins and Triplets

Having more than one baby can be challenging, but breastfeeding twins, triplets, or even more is definitely possible!

Breastfeeding when you are out and about

Breastfeeding when you're out and about can mean breastfeeding in front of a relative or friend in your own home, or in a public place, such as a café or shopping centre.

Breastfeeding when you’re out and about can mean breastfeeding in front of a relative or friend in your own home, or in a public place, such as a café or shopping centre.

During your baby’s first few days, you may prefer to breastfeed only where you feel most comfortable. But, as you get more used to doing it, you’re likely to feel more confident about breastfeeding in front of other people when you’re out and about.

Most people support women breastfeeding while they are out and about. The more it’s done, the more normal it will become.

Here are some ideas to help you get started.

Know your rights. You should not ever be made to feel uncomfortable about breastfeeding in public. It is illegal for anyone to ask a breastfeeding woman to leave a public place, such as a cafe, shop or public transport.
Plan ahead. Before you go out, it can help to think about where you will feel comfortable breastfeeding when your baby gets hungry. Ask breastfeeding friends for recommendations.
A midwife, health visitor or peer supporters at a local breastfeeding drop-in will also know of good places in your area where you can feed your baby.
Clothes and bra. What you wear when you’re breastfeeding is a matter of personal taste and what you feel comfortable in. For example, some mums like to wear loose tops that can be lifted up.
Others, who prefer to keep their tummy covered, wear two stretchy tops, so that the top layer can be lifted up and the bottom layer can be pulled down. A soft, non-underwired bra can be easily pulled up or down when you want to feed your baby.
Baby slings, scarves and cloths. Some baby slings are designed so you can breastfeed while your baby is in the sling. Some mums feel more comfortable putting a scarf or muslin cloth over their chest while they’re breastfeeding.
Take someone with you. It can help to go with a friend who has an older baby and can take you to places that she already knows. You could go with someone else, such as your mum, partner, sister or friend, so that there’s always someone to talk to.
Avoid the loos. Do not feel that you should sit in a public toilet to breastfeed. You would not eat in there, so do not feel that your baby should be fed there. Breastfeeding in public – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Go to a local feeding group or baby group

Look at our ‘What’s On’ section to see what’s available in Torbay currently and click here to find out which businesses, community venues and early years settings are breastfeeding friendly.

If you’re planning on going back to work you can find some useful information on Start for Life and here Breastfeeding at study or work – Baby Friendly Initiative (unicef.org.uk).

Common Breastfeeding Challenges

Breastfeeding can be challenging, particularly as you and your baby learn this new skill in the early weeks. You can access support from your midwifery or health visiting team and in Torbay both services have specialist staff to support with feeding, so please do reach out for support if you need it.

For information or support please contact us –

Infant Feeding phone: 07500 952216
Social media, just search NHS Infant Feeding Torbay
Infant Feeding clinic – every Wednesdays at the Beehive, Paignton and Thursday at St. Edmunds, Torquay
Baby Feeding Group – Monday’s and Wednesday’s check out the what’s on page for dates and times
To see our lactation consultant Health Visitors, contact the advice line to make an appointment. Tel: 0300 333 5352 (Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm) or Email: publichealthnursing.torbay@nhs.net
National Breastfeeding helpline – Breastfeeding information and support available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call 0300 100 0212 or chat via their website
Take a look at our One Feed at a Time campaign

Here are some links to information around common challenges:

Colic

Colic is when a baby cries a lot but there’s no obvious cause. It’s a common problem that should get better by around 3 or 4 months of age. But call NHS 111 or see a GP if you’re worried.

Visit the Start for Life website

Mastitis

Mastitis Information – The Breastfeeding Network

Reflux

Reflux is when a baby brings up milk, or is sick, during or shortly after feeding. It’s very common and usually gets better on its own. Find out how to check if your baby has reflux and more.

Visit the NHS website, reflux

Sore nipples

Painful nipples or breasts is commonly caused by the baby needing a deeper attachment at the breast. See the information on attachment and positioning but for other possible causes please see the following information.

Pain: if breastfeeding hurts – The Breastfeeding Network

The Breastfeeding Network

Thrush

Thrush of the nipple or breast – The Breastfeeding Network

Tongue tie

Tongue-tie is where the piece of skin connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth is shorter or tighter than usual. It’s most common in babies. It may not cause any problems, but if it does treatment is available. For NHS information, click on the find out more button.

If you are worried about your baby, please talk to your midwife or health visitor.

Find out more

Feeding cues in a breastfed baby

Your baby shows you signs to let you know when they are hungry. These are called feeding cues. These cues get stronger as your baby gets hungrier, until they cry as a last signal to you.

Growth spurts

Most babies go through several growth spurts (also called frequency days or wonder weeks) during the first 12 months. It’s important to be aware of these so you understand and don’t doubt yourself (or your milk supply) when you experience them.

What is a growth spurt?

During a growth spurt, breastfed babies feed much more often than they may have been (sometimes as often as every hour or what feels like constant feeding) and often act fussier or grumpier than usual. You may feel like baby is suddenly “attached” to you, is really fussy, not sleeping as well and hard to settle or you suddenly feel like you don’t have enough milk.

Baby is actually working to increase the amount of milk (because of their own growth) and the content of the milk also changes! Just as babies grow and change, so does our breastmilk to adapt to them- another huge benefit of breastfeeding as formula can not do this!

Physical growth is not the only reason that babies may have a temporary need for increased breastfeeding. Babies often exhibit the same type of behavior (increased breastfeeding with or without increased fussiness) when they are working on developmental advances such as rolling over, crawling, walking or talking. Breast milk is for growing the brain as well as the body!

When do babies have growth spurts?

Common times for growth spurts are 2-5 days old and around 2-3 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 3 months, 4 months, 6 months and 9 months (more or less). Babies don’t read calendars, however, so your baby may do things differently.

How long do growth spurts last?

Growth spurts usually last 3-5 days, but sometimes last a week or so.

What is the best way to handle a growth spurt?

Follow your child’s lead. Baby will automatically get more milk by breastfeeding more frequently, and your milk supply will increase due to the increased breastfeeding.

It is not necessary (or advised) to supplement your baby with formula or expressed milk during a growth spurt. Supplementing (and/or scheduling feeds) interferes with the natural supply and demand of milk production and will prevent your body from getting the message to make more milk and change the content during the growth spurt.

Some breastfeeding mums feel more hungry or thirsty when baby is going through a growth spurt. Listen to your body — you may need to eat or drink more during the time that baby is nursing more often.

How do I know that my baby is getting enough milk?

Babies have small tummies - only the size of a cherry when they are born! This means they will feed little, and VERY frequently in the first 6 weeks especially. Remember – responding to your babies cues will help you establish breastfeeding. Babies rarely need “extra” milk or additional feeds. Please speak to your health visitor if you are worried. The below signs reassure you that your baby IS getting enough milk.

How to measure for a nursing / maternity bra

A proper fitting bra helps support good breast health and reduces the risk of back and shoulder pain

A proper fitting bra helps support good breast health and reduces the risk of back and shoulder pain

How to tell if a bra fits well

The entire breast should fit comfortably inside the bra cup, with no breast tissue bulging above or at the sides.
The centre front should sit flat against your body, regardless of the size of the breast.
The band around the bottom should lie horizontally across your back, be at the same level back and front and not arch when you move. When checked, you should be able to pull the band about an inch away from the body.
The straps should not carry the weight of the breasts. They should sit on your shoulders without slipping or digging in. They can be adjusted to make sure they are comfortable.
If it is an underwired bra, the wire must sit flat against the body, around the breast, without gaping, digging in or pressing down on any breast tissue.
When buying a bra in pregnancy, it is best to buy one that does up comfortably on the tightest hook to allow room for further growth.

How to measure for a nursing bra

Step 1: Band Measurement

Measure your chest above your breasts – make sure the tape is around your back and under your armpits. Check in the mirror to ensure the measuring tape is parallel to the floor along your back. The tape should be snug around your body without any fingers underneath the tape. If you are in between band sizes, round up or down to the nearest even number. This will be your band measurement (34, 36 etc.).

Step 2: Bust Measurement

Measure around the fullest part of your breasts, over your nipple area. This is a looser measurement than the band measurement. While holding both ends of the tape with one hand at the side of your breast, use your free hand to press the measuring tape in between your breasts to your chest. This will be your bust measurement (37, 38, etc).

Step 3: Calculate Your Size

Subtract your band measurement from your bust measurement. The remainder is your cup size, where each number or inch represents one letter. Combine the band measurement and the cup size for your bra size.

For example, if your band is 34 and your bust is 38:
38 – 34 =4, 4 equates to a D
(1=A, 2=B, 3=C, 4=D, 5=DD, 6=E)
Your bra size is a 34D.

Responsive feeding

You do not need a feeding schedule. Health professionals recommend "responsive" or "on demand" feeding – this means following your baby's cues and feeding them when they are hungry.

Vitamins for your new baby

If you're breastfeeding, you should consider taking a 10mcg daily vitamin D supplement.

What is the fourth trimester?

Everyone knows that pregnancies last three trimesters – so what exactly is the Fourth Trimester? The National Childbirth Trust explains what this crucial stage is, and what it means for you and baby. They talk about

Why breastfeed?

What happens in your baby’s first years has a big effect on how healthy they will be in the future. Mum’s milk gives your baby all the nutrients they need for around the first 6 months of life and it remains important, along with solid food, beyond 6 months.

Skin to skin

However you plan to feed your baby, skin to skin after birth is a really good way for you to start to get to know each other. In the first few hours after birth, having uninterrupted skin to skin with your baby will help them to go through some important developmental stages.

Research has shown that skin to skin at birth with both parents is important. This is your opportunity to begin a bond with your child. Research studies have shown that even 30 minutes of skin-to-skin increases dopamine and oxytocin and lowers testosterone, ensuring that you will have an automatic positive association from close contact with their baby.

It’s not just for the first few hours though – whether you choose to breast or bottle feed, skin to skin has important functions for parent and baby throughout baby’s first year and beyond. Skin to skin contact whilst bottle feeding, enables a special bonding experience for you and your baby.

Skin to skin – i.e. baby stripped down to nappy and held against mum or dads bare chest, has been found to be very important for baby in:

Regulating their heartbeat – calming them down and soothing them
Regulating their temperature – skin to skin is an excellent way of keeping a baby nice and warm
Regulating their breathing – again calming and settling them
Encouraging feeding – skin to skin stimulates a baby’s natural urge to feed, whether breast or bottle fed
Feeling safe, secure and close to their parent – with the smells, sounds and sensations they’re familiar with
Reducing stress – releasing calming hormones and comforting them when they’re upset
Being contented – a baby held and cuddled often tends to be more settled and less “clingy”, rather than becoming “spoilt” as some people fear

It’s also important for mother too, in that it:

Regulates a mothers heartbeat and breathing
Develops the relationship between mother and baby and increases a mothers resilience to cope with the challenges the early days can bring
Encourages the release of hormones related to breastmilk supply and breastfeeding
It has also been found to have some pain-relieving properties for mother too, as she focuses on her baby held close to her face

For dad and other family members:

Skin to skin is good for other family members and baby too – calming them both, promoting bonding and giving other family members a really good way of comforting and soothing baby whilst mother rests
Amazingly, skin to skin with people other than mother can still stimulate a baby’s natural urge to feed, whether breast or bottle fed

For more information about the value of skin to skin go to the Baby Friendly Initiative’s webpage, or ask your midwife

Carry on with skin-to-skin (baby can wear a nappy) when you get home; your baby is never too old for this! Skin-to-skin helps you and baby to feel calm and also aid with feeding through tuning-in to baby’s cues and increasing your milk supply. Your baby will be happier if you keep them near you and feed them whenever they are hungry. This will remind your body to produce plenty of milk. It is fine to feed your baby when they need comforting, when your breasts feel full or when you just want to sit down and have a rest. It is not possible to overfeed a breastfed baby. This is called responsive breastfeeding– feeds are not just for nutrition, but also for love, comfort and reassurance between both baby and mother.

Breastfeeding and early relationships

Expressing milk Expressing milk

Expressing milk is when you take milk from your breasts so you can feed it to your baby straight away, or store it in the fridge or freezer to use at a later time. You can express breastmilk by hand or with an electric or manual pump, whichever you feel more comfortable using.

Supporting Infant Feeding in Torbay

We know breastfeeding can be challenging sometimes and in Torbay there is support available through your maternity team, health visiting team or at the Family Hubs.

Deciding how to feed your baby is an important and personal decision that parents make for their child, but this is not a choice you have to make until you’ve given birth.

Exclusive breastfeeding delivers many benefits including a significant reduction in gastrointestinal infections and a reduction in the risk of Sudden Infant Death.

Breastfeeding supports a close and loving relationship helping baby’s brain development and formation of a positive attachment. Breastfeeding also improves mental health and can reduce the risk of postnatal depression.

However you decide to feed your baby, 0 to 19 Torbay and Torbay Family Hub trained professionals will support your choice and will provide you with as much evidence-based information as you need to make your decision easier.

For information or support please contact us –

Infant Feeding phone: 07500 952216
Social media, just search NHS Infant Feeding Torbay
Infant Feeding clinic – every Wednesdays at the Beehive, Paignton and Thursday at St. Edmunds, Torquay
Baby Feeding Group – Monday’s and Wednesday’s check out the what’s on page for dates and times
To see our lactation consultant Health Visitors, contact the advice line to make an appointment. Tel: 0300 333 5352 (Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm) or Email: publichealthnursing.torbay@nhs.net
National Breastfeeding helpline – Breastfeeding information and support available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call 0300 100 0212 or chat via their website

Peer supporters

Peer supporters are mums who have themselves breastfed and have trained as volunteers to help other mums. Ask your midwife, health practitioner or family hub practitioner about your local peer supporters.

Breastfeeding support

Contact the infant feeding specialist midwife on 01803 656275

Facebook – NHS Breast Feeding Torbay
We offer support with breastfeeding and infant feeding to make healthy eating choices. Understanding of attachment and bonding. Contact our advice line or our Facebook page Torbay Infant Feeding

Start for Life – Breastfeeding
Lots of helpful information and advice on breastfeeding.

Check out more videos on our YouTube channel

Breast Pump Hire

Torbay Family Hubs loan out electronic breast pumps free to low income parents or £30 per month including a £10 refundable deposit.

Breast pumps can:

Support and sustain breastfeeding.
Encourage breastfeeding for more than 6 months.
Support bonding between infants and mothers.
Improve the health of mothers and infants.

Loaning out the breast pumps; includes pump and a non-returnable collection set. Each pump is cleaned after hire to prevent cross contamination.

Call 01803 210200 or email Torbay Family Hub

Find our about becoming a peer supporter

The fourth trimester? 'Fussy' evenings with a newborn

If you’ve ever asked questions like the ones below during the rollercoaster weeks of new parenthood, you’re in good company! Most new parents, unless they have been around newborn babies a lot before, are surprised and sometimes confused by how intensely their baby needs to be held and comforted. At times, it can feel like very hard work, or even as if, whatever you try, nothing quite works. Babies on the TV might sleep quietly in their beds between feeds, but real babies often don’t!

Formula feeding

Feeding cues

Your baby shows you signs to let you know when they are hungry. These are called feeding cues. These cues get stronger as your baby gets hungrier, until they cry as a last signal to you.

How to make up formula feeds

The Start for life website contains lots of useful information about how to prepare infant formula and sterilise feeding equipment to minimise the risk to your baby.

Paced bottle feeding

Paced feeding is way of giving your baby more control over feeds. Babies usually take small amounts of milk and stop for a rest, and then take more. You can help them to "pace" their feeds so that it mimics the way they would breastfeed.

Responsive feeding

You do not need a feeding schedule. Health professionals recommend "responsive" or "on demand" feeding – this means following your baby's cues and feeding them when they are hungry.

Skin to skin

Skin to skin – i.e. baby stripped down to nappy and held against mum or dads bare chest, has been found to be very important for baby in:

Regulating their heartbeat – calming them down and soothing them
Regulating their temperature – skin to skin is an excellent way of keeping a baby nice and warm
Regulating their breathing – again calming and settling them
Encouraging feeding – skin to skin stimulates a baby’s natural urge to feed, whether breast or bottle fed
Feeling safe, secure and close to their parent – with the smells, sounds and sensations they’re familiar with
Reducing stress – releasing calming hormones and comforting them when they’re upset
Being contented – a baby held and cuddled often tends to be more settled and less “clingy”, rather than becoming “spoilt” as some people fear

It’s also important for mother too, in that it:

Regulates a mothers heartbeat and breathing
Develops the relationship between mother and baby and increases a mothers resilience to cope with the challenges the early days can bring
Encourages the release of hormones related to breastmilk supply and breastfeeding
It has also been found to have some pain-relieving properties for mother too, as she focuses on her baby held close to her face

For dad and other family members:

Skin to skin is good for other family members and baby too – calming them both, promoting bonding and giving other family members a really good way of comforting and soothing baby whilst mother rests
Amazingly, skin to skin with people other than mother can still stimulate a baby’s natural urge to feed, whether breast or bottle fed

For more information about the value of skin to skin go to the Baby Friendly Initiative’s webpage, or ask your midwife

Breastfeeding and early relationships

Formula Feeding

You may choose to give your baby formula milk, want to combination feed or give your baby expressed breastmilk by bottle. Our service will support you however you choose to feed your baby.

Making up formula feeds
Cleaning and sterilising bottles
Knowing how much to feed your baby; responsive and paced bottle feeding
Feeding cues
Skin to skin

Infant formula is usually made from cow’s milk and has been treated to make it suitable for babies. There are many types of formula so always check the label before giving to your baby. However it is recommended to always use first stage milks until at least twelve months when it is recommended that your baby moves on to full fat cow’s milk. Your baby can stay on first stage milk whilst you are introducing them to solids at around six months. Vitamins are added to formula milk. If your baby is taking 500ml or more a day then additional vitamins should not be given.

Formula comes in two forms; ready-made formulas which are sterile and sold in cartons, and powered infant formula which is not sterile and must be made up safely. Instructions for doing this can be found here:

How to bottle feed your baby; responsive and paced feeding

You and your partner should feed your baby to build up a close and loving bond between yourselves.

Make sure that you are sitting comfortably, always hold your baby close to you and look into their eyes when feeding. This helps the baby feel safe and loved.
Hold your baby fairly upright for feeds, with their head supported so that they can breathe and swallow comfortably.
Brush the teat against your babies lips, and when your baby opens their mouth wide, allow them to draw in the teat.
Gently insert the teat into your baby’s mouth, keeping the bottle in a horizontal position (just slightly tipped), to prevent milk from flowing too fast.
Allow just enough milk to cover teat and pace the feed to meet babies’ needs, gently removing it if baby appears to want a break and may need to burp.
If the teat becomes flattened while you are feeding, pull gently on the corner of your baby’s mouth to release the vacuum.
Your baby will know how much milk they need. Forcing your baby to finish a feed will be distressing, and can mean your baby is overfed.

Breastfeeding Peer Support

Breastfeeding Peer Support

Peer support is when people use their own experiences to help each other and can complement the work of specialist services by offering a more holistic approach. It works flexibly to adapt to the needs of the parent and their family receiving peer support.

Local Services and support

Baby Friendly Initiative

Friendly, welcoming breastfeeding support groups in your local Family Hub. Led by trained health visiting and family hub teams alongside trained breastfeeding Peer Supporters who have breastfed / chest fed their own children. You can feel assured that we provide reliable, evidence-based information for all mums and parents-to-be, breastfeeding / chest feeding and combination feeding families.

Breastfeeding Masterclass

Classes to support antenatal women to learn about breastfeeding and breast milk. Partners, family and friends welcome to attend.

Discover the Joy of TorBaby Antenatal Classes

Join the Torbay Family Hub Free Antenatal Classes!

Join the Torbay Family Hub Free Antenatal Classes!

The Torbaby Solihull Antenatal Group is a five-week program for expectant parents and their families living in Torbay. This program covers topics that help you understand pregnancy, labor, birth, and your baby. Additionally, the group is led by Health Visitors and Midwives, ensuring professional guidance. Moreover, it provides an opportunity to meet other expectant parents and families in a nurturing environment.

Week 1: Helping You and Your Baby Through Pregnancy and Birth

Recognize and Understand Your Feelings: Learn to process your emotions related to pregnancy and birth.
Identify Your Support System: Discover who or what helps you during this journey. Think about the emotional and practical support you need.
Get to Know Your Baby: Understand your baby’s positions in the womb and their development, including brain, sensory, and physical growth.

Week 2: You, Your Baby, and the Stages of Labor

Signs of Labor: Learn to recognize the signs that labor is beginning.
Stages of Labor: Understand the different stages of labor and what to expect.

Week 3: Helping You and Your Baby Through Labor and Birth

Active Birth Positions: Learn about positions that can help during labor.
Labor Process: Understand how the baby helps during labor and think about pain relief options.
Support During Labor: Consider the support you’ll need during labor and at home.

Week 4: Feeding Your Baby

Bonding with Your Baby: Learn how to develop a strong relationship with your baby.
Keeping Your Baby Safe: Important tips for your baby’s safety.
Baby Blues and Postnatal Depression: Understand these conditions and how to seek help.
Feeding Options: Explore different ways to feed your baby and the support available.

Week 5: Practical Session

Hands-On Practice: Learn how to bathe, hold, and change your baby’s nappy, and more.

Booking is essential! These classes are suitable for antenatal mums and their birth partners. Each session lasts for two hours and runs weekly for five weeks. Refreshments are provided.

For dates and times, please visit our Torbay Family Hub What’s On page.

Here’s a recent comment from one of our clients

I recently attended the antenatal classes at The Beehive and just finished on Tuesday and I really want to say thank you to Kirsty (health visitor) and the guest speakers that we had each week and Ali (health visitor). As a first time mum to be I was nervous about going to the classes but Kirsty just has a way of putting you at ease and it was a safe environment to be able to ask questions without feeling like they were silly and to share your thoughts. Both my husband and I feel like we are more informed and a little bit more prepared for our baby’s arrival!

Interested in attending?

Drop in and feed at our family hubs

You are welcome to drop in and feed your baby at our family hubs anytime we are open.

Feed and Nurture group

Join our baby feed and nurture group and meet other parents, get information, advice and support from family hub staff and breastfeeding peer supporters. Once a month we offer our no rush to mush session so you can find out when your baby might be ready to start solids. We also talk about supporting early relationship building, returning to work and breastfeeding, finding the right bra and more.

Finding support for you and your family

We want to help every parent or carer in Torbay to find the right support at the right time. Support isn’t just for the tough times. It’s there to help make your whole parenting experience easier and more enjoyable.

Where you can get support

Torbay Family Hubs

We have 3 family hubs in Torbay but also offer services and support at home and in the community. Our hubs are –

St . Edmunds Family Hub, Victoria Park Road, Torquay,TQ1 3QH
Paignton Family Hub, The Beehive, Bishops Place, Paignton, TQ3 3DZ
Brixham Family Hub, The Barn, Brixham Enterprise Estate, Rea Barn Road, Brixham, TQ5 9DF

Call: 01803 210200 8:30am and 5pm weekdays

Email: familyhubtorbay@actionforchildren.org.uk

Download our app and chat to us, search Torbay Family Hubs on Google Play or the Apple Store.

Referral (child under 4)

Referral (child over 4)

Public Health 0 to 19 Nursing Team

Our 0 to 19 Torbay Public Health Nursing (Health Visiting and School Nursing) services. 0 to 19 Torbay is a partnership of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Action for Children and The Children’s Society.

Health visitors are registered nurses/midwives who have additional training in community public health nursing who work in partnership with community public health staff nurses who are trained nurses and community nursery nurses. They provide a professional public health service based on best evidence of what works for individuals, families, groups and communities; enhancing health and reducing inequalities for children 0 to 5 years and beyond. We can help with many areas of child development including sleep, behaviour, healthy eating, bladder and bowel issues.

Call our advice line: 0300 333 5352 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Closed on bank holidays

Email: Publichealthnursing.torbay@nhs.net

Download our app and chat to us, search Torbay Family Hubs on Google Play or the Apple Store.

Email us

Maternity Services

The maternity service at Torbay Hospital offers Midwifery Led and Consultant Led care for approximately 2,000 women and birthing people per annum. The service is provided by midwifery teams based in the community giving antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care both at home, family hubs and in the hospital.

For all urgent concerns or questions please call the maternity triage phone on 01803 656588.
Special Care Baby Unit: 01803 654602

Maternity Unit

Infant Feeding Support

Infant Feeding phone: 07500 952216
Social media, just search NHS Infant Feeding Torbay.
Infant Feeding clinic – every Wednesdays at the Beehive, Paignton and Thursday at St. Edmunds, Torquay.
Baby Feeding Group – Monday’s and Wednesday’s check out the what’s on page for dates and times.

To see our lactation consultant Health Visitors, contact the advice line to make an appointment. Tel: 0300 333 5352 (Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm) or Email: publichealthnursing.torbay@nhs.net

National Breastfeeding helpline – Breastfeeding information and support available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call 0300 100 0212 or chat via their website

Find out about our breastfeeding masterclasses by visiting our what’s on pages, just search breastfeeding masterclass.

National Breastfeeding Helpline

Early Help

Our Early Help Universal offer covers an umbrella of services which are available to all children and families. Our Early Help Service is available to children and their families and is made up of two types of services that combine in different ways to form Torbay’s Early Help offer.

These are universal services and targeted services.

Universal services include: Post-16 education, schools, early years settings, housing and finance advice and support, family hubs, children’s centres and youth centres, GP surgeries, libraries, maternity services, specialist public health or community nurses and community connectors.
Targeted services include: Early Help Panel, Family support, health professionals, mental health services, special education needs support services, jobcentre plus, school attendance and exclusion support, domestic abuse services, alternative provision, housing services, police, substance misuse services and targeted youth services.

Housing & Cost of living surgeries
Youth Homeless Prevention Service
Family Group Conference
Parenting Drop ins
Parenting Teens Group
Reducing Parental Conflict/EPIC partnership for whole family support
Youth Service

Early Help Portal

Infant Feeding Clinic

If you would like support with infant feeding give us a call, contact our hub or email the team. This is for specialist 1 to 1 support from our infant feeding team for those experiencing problems with feeding. Depending on your needs you will receive phone support or be seen face to face. You can also find lots of advice and support at our Facebook page NHS Infant Feeding Torbay.

Our Torbay Family Hub services

Download our leaflet for information on the services and support available in Torbay for infant feeding, your mental health and wellbeing and early communication.

Tongue-tie

Tongue-tie is where the piece of skin connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth is shorter or tighter than usual. It's most common in babies. It may not cause any problems, but if it does treatment is available. Find out more from the NHS here.

Torbay Family Hub, information, support, advice

Support, information and services to support parents, carers, children young people and practitioners.

Torbay Infant Feeding Strategy 2023 - 2025

Developed in partnership with infant feeding, maternity, health visiting, public health colleagues from across Torbay in early 2023, our Infant Feeding Strategy sets out the direction to support agencies and the public, to protect, promote, support, and normalise breastfeeding.

My Developing Baby Group

Groups focused on child development.This is a weekly group for parents with their babies to attend and is based on offering specific advice and guidance for new mothers.Each week there will be a theme focused around your child’s development run by the family hub staff with breastfeeding peer supporters on hand to offer additional support. Click on our What's on pages for dates, times and venues. Just search My Developing Baby.

Supporting Infant Feeding in Torbay

We know breastfeeding can be challenging sometimes and in Torbay there is support available through your maternity team, health visiting team or at the Family Hubs.

Deciding how to feed your baby is an important and personal decision that parents make for their child, but this is not a choice you have to make until you’ve given birth.

Exclusive breastfeeding delivers many benefits including a significant reduction in gastrointestinal infections and a reduction in the risk of Sudden Infant Death.

For information or support please contact us –

Infant Feeding phone: 07500 952216
Social media, just search NHS Infant Feeding Torbay
Infant Feeding clinic – every Wednesdays at the Beehive, Paignton and Thursday at St. Edmunds, Torquay
Baby Feeding Group – Monday’s and Wednesday’s check out the what’s on page for dates and times
To see our lactation consultant Health Visitors, contact the advice line to make an appointment. Tel: 0300 333 5352 (Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm) or Email: publichealthnursing.torbay@nhs.net
National Breastfeeding helpline – Breastfeeding information and support available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call 0300 100 0212 or chat via their website

Peer supporters

Breastfeeding support

Contact the infant feeding specialist midwife on 01803 656275

Start for Life – Breastfeeding
Lots of helpful information and advice on breastfeeding.

Check out more videos on our YouTube channel

Breast Pump Hire

Torbay Family Hubs loan out electronic breast pumps free to low income parents or £30 per month including a £10 refundable deposit.

Breast pumps can:

Support and sustain breastfeeding.
Encourage breastfeeding for more than 6 months.
Support bonding between infants and mothers.
Improve the health of mothers and infants.

Loaning out the breast pumps; includes pump and a non-returnable collection set. Each pump is cleaned after hire to prevent cross contamination.

Call 01803 210200 or email Torbay Family Hub

Find our about becoming a peer supporter

Breast pump hire

Torbay family hubs loan out electronic breast pumps free to low income parents or £30 per month including a £10 refundable deposit.Breast pumps can:

Starting solids (weaning)

Choking baby

As you start weaning your baby, they may be at risk of choking. Find out what to look for and what to do.

Introducing solid foods, no rush to mush

Until about 6 months, babies only need breast or infant formula milk to give them all the right nutrients. They might look like they want to try other things, but their body isn’t ready until they are about 6 months old. If they start eating other foods they might not get enough milk. If they start eating other food too early they are more likely to get infectious illnesses or even be at risk of obesity.

Babies may wake up, chew their fists or seem hungrier. This is normal behaviour. It’s not necessarily a sign of being ready to introduce complementary feeding. Ideally, give a bit more milk until they reach about six months.

Introducing your baby to solid foods (often called weaning onto foods) should start around six months of age (26 weeks).

Signs of being ready

There are three simple developmental signs to look out for to see if your baby is ready to introduce solid food, these are:

stay in a sitting position and hold their head steady
co-ordinate their eyes, hands and mouth so they can look at their food, pick it up and put it in their mouth
swallow food rather than pushing most of it back out with their tongue.

To find out if your baby is ready, take this simple NHS ready or not weaning quiz

Watch our video’s to see if your baby is ready.

How to start to introduce food

We now offer monthly no rush to mush sessions in our Feed and Nurture groups. Find out when by going to our What’s on pages and search for Feed and Nurture group.

“We were both nervous and excited about starting feeding with our little boy. At the beginning it was easy to get taken in by what the supermarkets/packets advertised but the more we did, the more we looked into different foods and spoke to other Mums who had just started weaning, and became a bit more adventurous. Then I took him on a weaning workshop and realised how much he loved finger food. Now at 8 months he is eating home cooked meals and loves trying anything, especially if it’s in someone else’s bowl! He always pulls a funny face when he has the first mouthful but after that is keen to wolf it down. He has a lot less milk now but still loves his bottle in between feeds.”
Wendy

When you do get started, try to remember that it’s about enjoying the experience together and letting them explore different textures and flavours as they will still get most of the nutrients they need to help them grow from milk. The experience can be different for everyone so don’t panic if your baby doesn’t seem too interested at first. Once complementary feeding is introduced it is important to remember that this remains alongside milk feeds not in place of them. Responsive milk feeding is still important until at least 12 months.

What support is there in Torbay?

We know that introducing complementary feeding can be an exciting time but also can cause additional concerns. If you are concerned, you can speak with the 0-19 Health Visiting team, your own Health Visitor, Torbay Family Hubs, or ask about joining a ‘Supporting a Solid Start’ run by run by the community nursery nurses.

Call the Family Hubs: 01803 210200 or the advice line: 0300 333 5352
Email: public health nursing
Download the Torbay Family Hub App and chat to one of the health team
DadPad, download the app to information, support and advice

Helpful National Websites

FAQs

How much food should my baby have?

To begin with it’s not important how much solid food your baby is eating. The most important thing is that they start getting used to food. Your baby should be introduced to a varied diet alongside their usual breast milk or first infant formula.

Food is fun, until they are one.

Your baby will be able to self-regulate their appetite and will eat until they are full. All babies are different and on different days may eat more or less. It is okay for a baby or toddler not to finish their meal. As long your baby is content and putting on weight there is no need to be concerned. When your baby is full they may push food away or turn their head.

Now I have introduced solid food, how much milk will my baby need?

Only reduce your child’s milk intake once they are having an established and varied diet. This should be a gradual reduction and milk intake will decrease once food intake increases.

When can my baby have cow’s milk?

Babies can have full fat cow’s milk as a drink from 1 year onward. You can add full fat cow’s milk to cooking and cereal from 6 months old. You can introduce semi-skimmed milk from 2 years old onward if your child is having a good range of foods.

Does my baby need follow on milk?

Your baby only needs stage 1/first formula and at 1 year your baby can go on to cow’s milk as a drink.

I am worried my baby will choke!

It is very rare for babies to choke but it is very common for babies to gag when they first start to have solid food in their mouth. This is a normal reaction. Babies are very good at gagging and pushing something out of their mouth by themselves. When babies gag they will push the food forwards and spit it out.

Please note that you should not put your finger into a baby’s mouth if you cannot easily see and remove a piece of food. Putting your finger in their mouth could risk pushing the food further back.

Choking A5 leaflet Download

Introducing your vegetarian or vegan baby to solid foods

If you are raising your baby as vegetarian or vegan the early stages of weaning should be no different from weaning any other baby. Your baby's first food can include fruit, vegetables or softly cooked vegetables or fruit offered as finger foods if you are baby led weaning.

If you are raising your baby as vegetarian or vegan the early stages of weaning should be no different from weaning any other baby. Your baby’s first food can include fruit, vegetables or softly cooked vegetables or fruit offered as finger foods if you are baby led weaning.

It will be important to make sure that your baby is getting enough vitamins, minerals, proteins and fats in their diet. They need these to grow healthily. It’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional about any supplements you could give to meet ensure your baby meets their recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals.

Public Health has produced this advice sheet to help you if you have chosen to wean your baby on a vegetarian diet (information from page 18).

If you are worried that your baby is not getting enough vitamins in their diet please call our advice line on 0300 333 5352 and a member of our health visiting team can help. You can also speak to your GP.

Vegetarian Diet – 6 Months

Weaning your baby on a vegetarian diet starts at the same time and in the same way as a baby being offered a meat/fish diet. All babies should start with soft finger foods such as well cooked carrot sticks that can be squashed between your fingers and a wide range of tastes and textures.

Most first foods at 6 months will fall into the vegetarian category and you can access suitable recipes and meal ideas from Start for Life here to get you started.

Continue to breastfeed your baby on demand or offer their first formula as a drink until they are 1 year. Plant based milks are not suitable for babies under 12 months.

Vegetarian Diet – 7-12 Months

From 7-12 months your baby will become more confident in eating and will be having a wider range of foods. They will very likely be eating with the family and sitting with you at mealtimes, in their highchair at the table.

Vegetarian diets can contain a lot of vegetables that are high in fibre and are very filling. This can mean your baby may feel full before they have had enough nutrients from a meal.

As they grow toward 12 months they will increase their food intake and naturally decrease their milk intake so it is important to ensure they are getting enough nutrients from what they are eating every day. Higher calorie foods can help your baby to get enough fats and calories.

Vegan diets

Information and Advice

For more advice from First Steps Nutrition – Eating Well: vegan infants and under fives
Public Health: Weaning Made Easy
Start for Life: Recipes and meal ideas

If you have any worries or questions about your baby’s diet or their growth please call our advice line on 0300 333 5352, join a no rush to mush session or book onto our Supporting a solid start session.

Supporting a solid start

Would you like additional support with starting your baby on solid food? If your baby is over 6 months old we are offering monthly sessions at Turning Heads in Torquay.

Healthy Start

If you are pregnant or have a child under four years old you could get a Healthy Start card to help buy some basic foods. This important means-tested scheme provides vouchers to spend with local retailers. Pregnant women and children over one and under four years old can get one voucher per week. Children under one year old can get two vouchers per week.

Introducing Solid Food

Introducing your baby to solid foods (often called weaning onto foods) should start around six months of age (26 weeks). Before introducing solid foods your baby must show three clear developmental signs; stay in a sitting position and hold their head steady, co-ordinate their eyes, hands and mouth, and swallow food rather than pushing most of it back out with their tongue. There are many myths around signs of ready such as; chewing fists, watching you eat, requiring extra feeds and waking during the night. These are not necessarily signs of being ready for solids and some extra breast or first stage milk will help until they are ready for food.

When should my baby start drinking from a cup?

Once they’re old enough, you can start encouraging your baby to drink from a cup or beaker.

Breastfeeding scheme

Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme

Find out more about becoming a breastfeeding friendly business, organisation, early years setting or employer here.

National services and support

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers

(ABM)www.abm.me.uk

La Leche League GB

www.laleche.org.uk/get-support0345 120 2918 (everyday, 24 hours)

Twins Trust (formally TAMBA)

To get in touch, call 0800 138 0509 (Mon-Fri 10am-1pm and 7pm-10pm) or complete the Ask Twinline form online. The best way to get a quick response is to call. Emails will be responded to within three working days. Find helpful information and advice here.

Best Beginnings

From Bump to Breastfeeding is a set of films following the journey of four mums (and we hear from other mums along the way) who decide to breastfeed their babies. The films will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about breastfeeding and how to do it successfully. You can also download their free Baby Buddy app.

The fourth trimester? 'Fussy' evenings with a newborn

Start for life, breastfeeding friend

UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative

Lots more information on breastfeeding, infant formula and bottle feeding, and introducing your baby to solid foods. You can download free resource’s here.

Healthy Start

Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA)

Guidance and support for feeding babies with cleft lip or palate.

Videos and Apps

Apps

Here's a couple of recommended helpful apps you can download, support with your questions on breastfeeding or unsure if your baby is ill.

Videos

This media library is full of helpful videos and resources to help you on your feeding journey.

Infant feeding, advice and support