Breastfeeding

Leeds Breastfeeding Friendly initiative has been launched find out more by visiting www.breastfeeding.leeds.nhs.uk

Breastfeeding has long term emotional, physical and mental health benefits for a mother and her child.

Breastfeeding:
• reduces the risk of babies developing many different types of illnesses (eg. Gastro-enteritis, ear infections) and provides protection against diseases and conditions later on in life (eg. Diabetes);

• has a positive effect upon the health and wellbeing of mothers by protecting against breast and ovarian cancers; and

• promotes bonding between mother and baby.

The Department of Health recommends that babies are fed only breast milk for the first six months of life.

Across the city, NHS Leeds has been working with local people, voluntary groups, children’s centres, midwives, health visitors and many others to create a plan for how we can promote breastfeeding and provide support for women and families who want to breastfeed their babies.

This plan is called ‘Food for Life’

The vision of ‘Food for Life’ is to create a city where:

• Every family is fully aware of the benefits of breastfeeding and therefore able to make an informed decision about how to feed their baby.
• Every family is able to access the information, support and help they need in hospital and community settings from appropriate publicly funded and voluntary services.
• Public and private sector services and settings all welcome and support breastfeeding mothers.

Peer Support

Peer support involves women who have had experience of breastfeeding, providing advice and support to other breastfeeding mothers.

There are a number of peer support groups around the city. Click here to find out how you can get help from the groups.

All NHS Leeds peer supporters receive specialist training to be able to support women in the best way possible.

Infant Feeding Advisor
Susan Wallis (works Mondays and Tuesdays)
Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust
Tel: 07796614839

Baby Friendly Initiative Co-ordinator
Sally Mills – NHS Leeds
Breastfeeding support in the Community
Tel: 07960727011

Haamla Service
Tel: 0113 2065477
Breastfeeding Support
Tel: 07785304489 / 07796955974

NHS Leeds Maternity Helpline

0774 8334007 

Baby Cafes and Breastfeeding Support Groups

These are groups which are generally run by health visitors and/or midwives. Sometimes peer supporters may also attend.

The groups are a good way to meet other people who are breastfeeding and to get practical advice and encouragement from a professional or a peer supporter.

At many groups you can also borrow equipment such as breast pumps, DVDs and books.

Beeston Baby Café – Tel: 0113 2952822 or 0113 2702288
Burley Baby Café – Tel: 0113 2755044
Chapeltown / Harehills Baby Café – Tel: 0113 2007969
Garforth Baby Café – Tel: 0113 2863429
Horsforth Baby Café – Tel: 0113 2953300
Middleton Baby Café – Tel: 0113 2762386 / 07843339574
Moortown Baby Café – Tel: 0113 2951700
Otley Baby Café – Tel: 01943850182
West Leeds Baby Café – Tel: 0113 2953200
Wetherby Baby Café – Tel: 01937 522777 

If you would like more information about breastfeeding friendly venues, please click here.

Related pages on this site

Children's healthInformation about NHS Leeds initiatives designed to improve children's health

Related sites

UNICEF Baby FriendlyBreastfeeding supportNational Childbirth TrustSupport for ParentingLa Leche LeagueBreastfeeding support

Related downloads

| Food for Life - breastfeeding strategy.pdf (1.21 MB)

Getting help from peer supporters and bosom buddies.doc (0.04 MB)