Feeding your baby
In this section you will find everything you need to know about feeding your baby.
Once you have your baby, our dedicated team of midwives and infant feeding advisors will give you one-to-one support to help you feed your baby. It can take a while before you feel confident, especially if you are breastfeeding, but help is available from your midwife, health visitor or local breastfeeding support group. Check the support information below for details about contacting a midwife, finding information on breastfeeding and lots more.
Find out more about:
Introducing solid foods (weaning)
You can find national guidance on breastfeeding and bottlefeeding on the baby page of the NHS website.
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.