Everyone has a part to play in helping mums to breastfeed

For Breastfeeding Awareness Week (18 to 24 September 2023) the Royal Borough of Greenwich has put together some information about breastfeeding and where parents can find support in Royal Greenwich.

Seventy percent of babies in Royal Greenwich are having breastmilk at six to eight weeks, making our local mums some of the best breastfeeders in the country! 

Breastfeeding offers both mum and baby protection from illnesses and breastmilk is tailor made to offer a baby the best nutrition. It is currently recommended that babies are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of their life, and that breastfeeding continues alongside solid foods until the baby is at least one year old. Breastfeeding is a way to build a close and loving relationship between mum and baby. You can learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding here. 

Cllr Denise Scott-McDonald, Cabinet Member for Health and Adults’ Social Care, said: “Royal Greenwich is a Unicef UK Baby Friendly accredited borough that supports everyone to meet their infant feeding goals. We are currently investing additional money from the Government Start for Life programme to support even more mums, both before and after they have their baby. 

“You can find out about the support available at any of the 23 Children’s Centres and Family Hubs in the borough.”

Useful resources if you’re already breastfeeding or thinking about it 

• Breastfeeding in public - you are legally allowed to breastfeed your baby in public. Look out for the Breastfeeding Friendly Greenwich sticker in your local cafes, restaurants, shops and community centres for a welcoming place to breastfeed. 

• You can talk to a mum about breastfeeding at any day of the week between 9.30am and 9.30pm via The National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212. 

• For more information about how to breastfeed, expressing your milk, what to eat and common breastfeeding challenges, head to the NHS Start for Life website. 

• A guide to introducing solids and eating well up to baby’s first birthday from First Steps Nutrition Trust

• The Greenwich Community Development Agency (GCDA) offer courses to support parents to feed their babies and young children.

• If you have decided to formula feed your baby or are doing a mix of both, you can also ask for advice at any of our Children’s Centres or at an infant feeding drop-in.

Infant feeding drop-ins

• Alderwood Children’s Centre 
  Rainham Close, Eltham, SE9 2JH 
  Tuesdays: drop-in between 10 to 11.30am 

• Brookhill Family Hub 
  Brookhill Road, Woolwich, SE18 6UZ 
  Wednesdays: drop-in between 1 to 2.30pm 

• Quaggy Family Hub 
  Orchard Hill, Lewisham, SE13 7QZ 
  Fridays: drop-in between 12 to 2pm 

• Slade Children’s Centre 
  Erindale, Plumstead, SE18 2QQ 
  Tuesdays: drop-in between 10 to 11.30am 

• Storkway Family Hub 
  Ridgebrook Road, Kidbrooke, SE3 9QX 
  Thursdays: drop-in between 10am to 11.30pm 

• Waterways Family Hub 
  Southwood Road, Thamesmead, SE28 8EZ 
  Thursdays: drop-in between 10am to 1pm 
  There is also a café on site where you can meet other families and feed your baby 

These drop-ins are staffed by the infant feeding specialists within Bromley Healthcare Health Visiting service.

For any advice or support on infant feeding, pop into any one of our 23 Children’s Centres and Family Hubs across the borough, find your nearest one.