Parents guide to WVT infant feeding policy

Parents’ Guide to the joint Hospital / Community Infant Feeding Policy

The aim of this parents’ guide is to ensure all parents receive information about the Infant Feeding Policy.

All staff working with pregnant women and new mums are trained to the Baby Friendly Initiative Standards.

The guide below explains what you can expect at different stages through pregnancy, birth, early days at home and later weeks.

Please ask your Health Professional or the Infant Feeding Service if you wish to see the full policy.

Pregnancy - what can you expect?

• During this time you and your partner will begin to develop a relationship with your unborn baby.
• You will have the opportunity to have a meaningful discussion with your midwife about preparing for birth and early days with your new born baby.
• A 1-1 or group discussion on infant feeding by a trained member of staff will be offered.
• You will be provided with an awareness of the standard of care from maternity, Health Visiting Service and Children Centre’s Services where to find information and support.
• You will be given information about Healthy start Scheme and vitamin supplementation.

Birth - infant feeding and relationship building

• Unhurried skin to skin contact as soon as possible after birth for all babies.
• We encourage the first feed to be given in the first hour by mum in skin contact whatever your feeding choice is.
• Continued support is available for breastfeeding and informed feeding choices.
• Keeping your baby nearby/close to you at all times. Supporting ongoing skin to skin contact.
• Discussions to support your preferred feeding choice will be given to meet your individual needs.
• Discussion on Safe Sleeping.

Early days and back at home

• Nurturing and feeding, learning together.
• Getting to know your baby, through having a close loving relationship, including partners and siblings.
• Getting breastfeeding of to a good start:
• Effective position and attachment.
• Responsive feeding.
• How to tell your baby is getting enough milk.
• Managing night feeds.
• Hand expression and safe storage of milk.
• Continuing Skin to skin contact.
• Where to access ongoing support: peer support and social networks in Family Centres.
• Formula feeding mums - information on how to make feeds safely, use of first milks for the first 12 months, and wow to feed baby responsively.

Later weeks - now feeding is established

• Breastfeeding out and about.
• Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme.
• Recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and the importance of breastfeeding for mum and baby as long as they wish, with appropriate solid foods from around 6 months.
• Importance of closeness/responding to your baby.
• Support to return to work and maximising breastfeeding/breastmilk.

Special Care/neonatal mums

• Shown how to express breastmilk and encouraged to do this frequently.
• Enable skin contact as soon as possible.
• Understand the value of breastmilk and kangaroo care for preterm babies.

Please remember:  this is a new skill, each mother and baby is unique. The more breastmilk you give your baby the more milk you will produce. No question is a silly question when it comes to caring for your baby.

If you have any concerns or questions please contact either your Midwife, Health Visitor or a member of the Infant Feeding Service. We are here to support your informed Infant feeding choices.

All families are given information on how to access Healthy Start and vitamins supplementation up to four years of age.