Breastfeeding
If you need any breastfeeding support over the Christmas period then please visit our Lewisham Health Visitors site and the ‘Breastfeeding hubs in Lewisham’ page for the latest information.
Face to face breastfeeding hubs
We run breastfeeding hubs at several locations in Lewisham. These are drop-in sessions, with no appointment required.
Please note that The Village hub at Corbett Library, and the Leander Centre hub run in term only, and will be closed until September.
Monday
- 1-3pm at Downderry Children’s Centre,
Shroffold Road, Bromley, BR1 5PD
Tuesday
- 1-3pm at Bellingham Children’s Centre,
109 Randlesdown Road, SE6 3HB
Wednesday
- 10am-12 midday at Lee Health Centre,
2 Handen Road, SE12 8NP
Thursday
- 10am-12 midday at the Evelyn Children’s Centre,
231 Grove Street, Deptford, SE8 3PZ - 10am-12 midday at The Leander Centre,
Ship Street, Deptford, SE8 4DH
Friday
- 10am-12 midday at the Ladywell Children's Centre,
30 Rushy Mead, SE4 1JJ - 12 midday-2pm at Quaggy Breastfeeding Hub,
Parkside Community Centre, Parkside Avenue, Lewisham, SE10 8GF
(opposite Quaggy Children’s Centre) £2 voluntary cost.
For the latest information on clinic opening times, or any planned closures, please visit: Breastfeeding - Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Health Visitors
Breastfeeding is the most natural start to life for a baby and can have lifelong health benefits for both mother and baby.
Breastfeeding protects the baby against ear and chest infections, stomach upsets, diarrhoea, asthma, eczema, allergies and even obesity. Breastfeeding mothers are less likely to develop breast and ovarian cancer and osteoporosis later in life.
Babies don’t need anything but breast milk for the first six months to provide all the necessary nutrition. Giving anything else will decrease the supply of breast milk and lessen the health benefits of breastfeeding.
Solids can be introduced alongside the usual milk feeds from six months, when the baby’s development shows they are ready to cope with solids well. The Department of Health recommends breastfeeding for at least two years, as it continues to provide both significant nutrition and protection from illnesses.
Top tips for breastfeeding
- Keep your baby close, with as much skin-to-skin contact as possible
- Babies like to breastfeed often, some very often! This does not mean that your milk supply is not enough. Babies like some feeds to be ‘meals’ and others to be ‘snacks’, just like adults.
- It is not possible to overfeed a breastfed baby.
- Be sure to get the right latch – checking that your baby is attached correctly to the breast is crucial for comfortable and successful breastfeeding. If you’re feeling pain throughout the feed, your baby’s latch may not be correct. Remember CHIN:
Close and chin leading
Head free
In line
Nose to nipple - Feel reassured that your baby will be getting enough milk if they are feeding at least eight times in 24 hours and they have at least six wet and two dirty nappies daily (from one week old; before this, babies may feed more and have produce more urine and stools)
- Always seek help if you have any concerns, especially if you have pain when your baby feeds.
Returning to work
If you are thinking of returning to work or study and you want to continue to breastfeed, you should be able to express and store your milk in a safe place. If you would like further information, please attend one of the breastfeeding hubs.
Breastfeeding peer supporters
Are you a current or previous breastfeeding mother, passionate about breastfeeding and keen to use your knowledge and experience to support other Lewisham mothers on their breastfeeding journey?
The breastfeeding peer supporter course gives learners a nationally recognised open college network qualification which, along with the volunteer experience and up to date references, could help with job opportunities or as a route into further education.
The course is open to mothers of all ages and backgrounds to enable them to widen their knowledge, skills, and experience to support breastfeeding in Lewisham.
To apply for the peer supporter course, you do not need any qualifications, all we ask is that you have had some experience of breastfeeding your baby and a passion and commitment to volunteer and support other Lewisham mothers.
Once qualified, you will receive regular supervision and ongoing training, with the course often opening the door to many other volunteering and career opportunities.
The peer supporter course consists of a two-hour session per week, run over seven weeks online. For information on day and time of sessions, log onto the Breastfeeding Network or email: training@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk
Alternatively, please email Anthea Tennant-Eyles (Breastfeeding Network) at: anthea.tennant-eyles@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk.
Lewisham 'Breastfeeding Welcome' Scheme
To enable mothers to feel confident and welcomed when breastfeeding out and about in Lewisham, the Health Visiting service runs a ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme’ for local businesses to sign up to.
When a venue signs up to our Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme and displays the green and white sticker it’s a clear message to you as a breastfeeding mum, “You are welcome to breastfeed your baby here.”
Below is a list of the Lewisham venues signed up for the scheme, by postcode:
SE8
Evelyn Parents Forum @ Deptford Park Play Club, 23 Scawen Road, Deptford, SE8 5AG
The Albany Arts Centre & Café, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG
Deli X, 156 Deptford High Street, SE8 3PQ
2000 Community Action Centre, 199-201 Grove Street, Deptford, SE8
SE14
Waldron Health Centre, Amersham Vale, New Cross, SE14 6LD
Telegraph Hill Playclub, Erlanger Road, SE14 5TY
Telegraph Hill Centre, Pepys Road, SE14 5TY
Amersham Vale Practice, Waldron Health Centre, New Cross, SE14 6LD
SE4
Vesta Road Surgery, 58 Vesta Road, New Cross, SE4 2NH
Arlo & Moe, 340 Brockley Road, Brockley, SE4 2BT
Browns of Brockley, 5-6 Coulgate Street, Brockley, SE4 2RW
Freds, 358 Brockley Road, Crofton Park, SE4 2BY
Brockley Road Surgery, 465-467 Brockley Road, Brockley, SE4 2PJ
Hillyfields Medical Group, 172 Adelaide Avenue, Brockley, SE4 1JN
SE13
Step by Step Day Nursery, Benden House, Monument Gardens, SE13 6PY
Pistachios in the Park, Hilly Fields, 10A Somerset Gardens, Lewisham, SE13 7JN
Cissy Wears, 212a Hither Green Lane, Hither Green, SE13 6RT
Arlo & Moe, 60 Springbank Road, Hither Green, SE13 6SN
ArtsCafé, Manor Park, Hither Green, SE13 5QZ
Pistachio's in the Park, Manor House Gardens, Old Road, Hither Green, SE13 5TA
Le Delice Café, 38 Ladywell Road, Lewisham, SE13 7UZ
Pistachio’s in the Park, 47 Vicars Hill, Ladywell, SE13 7JN
Bella Roma, 13 Lewis Grove, Lewisham, SE13 6BG
Lewisham Toy Library, Shop 46, Molesworth Street, SE13 7EP
SE23
Kilmorie Childrens Centre, Kilmorie Primary School, Kilmorie Road, Forest Hill, SE23 2SP
Ackroyd Community Centre, 42b Ackroyd Road, Forest Hill, SE23 1DL
Aga’s Little Deli, 49a Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3HN
Forest Hill Pools, Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3HZ
SE12
Archibalds Café, 164 Manor Lane, Hither Green, SE12 8LP
Little Pumpkins, 88 Woodyates Road, Lee, SE12 9JH
SE6
La Pizzeria Italiana Ltd, Eros House, Brownhill Road, Catford, SE6 2EG
Saigon Foods, 24 Catford Broadway, Catford, SE6 4SN
Small Wonders Day Care, 89 Bromley Road, Catford, SE6 2UF
The Broadway Dental Practice, 23 Catford Broadway, SE6 4SN
Good Food Deli, Sandhurst Market, 7 Sandhurst Road, SE6 1DL
Abbotshall Healthy Lifestyle Centre, Abbotshall Road, Catford, SE6 1SQ
Corbett Community Centre & Library, Torridon Road, SE6 1RQ
Park View Café, 32 Randlesdown Road, Bellingham, SE6 3BD
Bellingham Green GP Surgery, 24 Bellingham Green, Catford, SE6 3JB
La Ciabatta, 119 Rushey Green, Catford, SE6 4AA
Novum Health Partnership, The Primary Care Centre, Hawstead Road, SE6 4JH
Graces Day Nursery, 145 Perry Hill, Catford, SE6 4LP
Apple Tree Community Café, Goldsmiths Community Centre, Castillon Road, SE6 1QD
The Broadway Café, 12 Catford Broadway, Catford, SE6 4SP
Kaleidoscope, 32 Rushey Green, Catford, SE6 4JD
SE3
Blackheath Age Exchange, 11 Blackheath Village, Blackheath, SE3 9LA
BR3
The Homestead Café, Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham BR3 5BP
BR1
Oakview Family Practice, 190 Shroffold Road, BR1 5NJ
Little Lambs Pre-School, Good Shepherd Church Hall, Downham, BR1 5EP
Face to face breastfeeding hubs in Greenwich, Bexley and Bromley
Community breastfeeding hubs in Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich are run by Bromley Healthcare. You can find more information about infant feeding clinics and advice about feeding your baby on the sites listed below:
Infant feeding clinics
Bexley 0-19: infant feeding clinics in Bexley
Bromley 0-19: infant feeding clinics in Bromley
Greenwich 0-4: infant feeding clinics in Greenwich
Breastfeeding Friendly Greenwich Scheme
The Breastfeeding Friendly Greenwich Scheme is dedicated to creating a network of inclusive venues for breastfeeding mothers across the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
This initiative empowers families and promotes healthier communities by encouraging local businesses and public spaces to become more welcoming for breastfeeding mothers and their families.
Live Well Greenwich: breastfeeding friendly venues in Greenwich
Breastfeeding Network: map of breastfeeding friendly venues across the UK
UNICEF Baby Friendly
Lewisham and Greenwich health visiting services have Stage 3 UNICEF Baby Friendly accreditation for breastfeeding. Queen Elizabeth Hospital has also achieved full Baby Friendly Stage 3 accreditation. This is a fantastic and very prestigious achievement for the Trust.
The UNICEF Baby Friendly Standards aim to improve the information, support and encouragement provided in order to promote, protect and support breastfeeding and appropriate introduction to solid foods. This means that midwives, health visitors and other health and professionals receive high quality Baby Friendly training to support breastfeeding mothers effectively. For more information on the UNICEF Baby Friendly initiative please see UNICEF: The Baby Friendly Initiative
Useful links to online support
- Guy's and St. Thomas': Maternity: after your baby is born
- Guy's and St. Thomas': Feeding Your Baby
- Global Health Media: videos
- The Breastfeeding Network - Pain: if breastfeeding hurts
- UNICEF: Bottle Feeding Resources
- First Steps Nutrition: Infant milks - Information for parents and carers
- Building a Happy Baby: A Guide for Parents
- UNICEF: Sleep and Night Time Resources
- BASIS - Baby Sleep Information
- The Breastfeeding Network: Drugs in Breastmilk factsheets
- First Steps Nutrition
Maternity referral and support Information
Refer yourself today
Did you know you can refer yourself for an appointment with one of our midwives without speaking to your GP first?
You can self-refer by calling our Maternity helpline on 020 8836 4491.
Or fill out our online self-referral form for maternity services.
If in doubt, call the midwife!
It is now even easier to speak to one of our midwives to answer any questions you may have about pregnancy, birth or your newborn baby with our Maternity Helpline: 020 8836 4491.
Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm.
Pregnancy checks and screening tests
During your pregnancy we'll offer a range of tests that are designed to make your pregnancy safer, assess the development and wellbeing of you and your baby, or to screen for particular conditions.
It is your choice whether to have a test. So that you can make an informed decision, find out about your choices of screening tests during your pregnancy and for your baby. There are easy read guides to the screening tests for you and your baby. This information is available in a number of languages.
Healthy Start Vouchers
If you receive certain benefits and have a low income, you may be eligible to receive free vouchers for milk, fruit, vegetables and vitamins.
Find out how to apply for Healthy Start Vouchers.
Get your Questions Answered at an Online Early Pregnancy Evening
For a virtual tour of our facilities at University Hospital Lewisham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital or Queen Mary's Hospital, to ask our midwives any questions, and to find out more about the maternity services in your area, please come along to one of our monthly online pregnancy evenings.
Find out more and sign up here.
Further information
Breastfeeding welcome — find a breastfeeding welcome venue near you.
Off to the best start (leaflet).
National Childbirth Trust — 0300 330 0700 (8am-midnight).
National Breastfeeding Helpline — 0300 100 0212 (9.30am-9.30pm).
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers — 0844 412 2949.
Breastfeeding Network — 0300 100 0210 (9.30am-9.30pm).
La Leche League — 0845 120 2918.
For more information about drugs in breast milk email: druginformation@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk.
The 'Baby Buddy' app, which you can download to your phone, takes you through life with your baby using interactive information and films.