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Our breastfeeding rates

We have one of the best breastfeeding initiation rates in the country. 91% of the women who give birth here start breastfeeding. 

Breastfeeding information drop-in

Please note this is for inpatients only.

• When: 10am Monday - Friday
• Where: day room in the postnatal ward, St Thomas' Hospital

This drop-in is lead by a midwife, who discusses the basics of breastfeeding, expressing and what to expect in the first few days. You are also given information on local breastfeeding support groups that you can visit with your baby once you are home.  

We recommend that you watch the Department of Health's DVD called From Bump to Breastfeeding. We will give this to you at your antenatal appointment after your anomaly scan or you can ask your midwife for a copy.

Committed to encouraging breastfeeding

We have been awarded a Certificate of Commitment in the first step towards international recognition from UNICEF's (United Nation's Children's Fund) Baby Friendly Initiative|. The Certificate of Commitment recognises that the Trust is dedicated to implementing internationally recognised best standards.

The Baby Friendly Initiative works with health professionals to ensure that mothers receive the best possible support in order to help them to breastfeed their babies.

• local breastfeeding support groups (PDF 22.3Kb)

About the Baby Friendly Initiative

The Baby Friendly Initiative was launched in the UK in 1994 and is a worldwide programme of the World Health Organisation| and Unicef|. It aims to ensure high standards of care for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers and babies. Hospitals go through an assessment and accreditation process to make sure that they have reached the required standard.

Ten steps to successful breastfeeding

Units that gain the full initiative have to pass the 'Ten steps to successful breastfeeding' which are:

1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all healthcare staff.
2. Train all health care staff in the skills necessary to implement the breastfeeding policy.
3. Teach all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
4. Help mothers to start breastfeeding soon after birth.
5. Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation even if they are separated from their babies.
6. Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breastmilk, unless medically indicated.
7. Practice rooming-in - allowing mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day.
8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
9. Give no artificial teats or dummies to breastfeeding infants.
10. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic.