Feeding your baby

We are accredited as baby friendly by Unicef. This is a nationally recognised mark of quality for the support we provide with:

• feeding your baby

• developing a close and loving relationship with your baby

This includes a commitment to the international code on the marketing of breast milk substitutes.

We do not display or distribute any materials produced by the manufacturers of breast milk substitutes, bottles, teats or dummies.

Feeding your newborn in hospital

Breastfeeding in hospital

We encourage you to breastfeed your baby as this is the healthiest choice for your baby and you. Breastfeeding reduces the chance of your baby developing:

• tummy upsets
• chest, urinary and ear infections
• allergies
• diabetes
• obesity
• sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Mothers who breastfeed have reduced rates of breast and ovarian cancer and osteoporosis in later life.

Your midwife will be able to support you in learning to feed your baby.

You can read information and advice about how to breastfeed on the NHS website.

Our infant feeding team is available on the postnatal ward from Monday to Friday. They can help if you’re finding feeding more challenging. Your midwife will refer you to them.

We can:

• develop feeding care plans with you
• refer to your local community support for when you go home
• help with feeding difficulties caused by cleft lip and palate, or breast surgery

Formula feeding in hospital

We'll support you if you choose to formula feed.

We provide formula at the hospital. We recommend that you don’t bring in your own.

If you do bring in formula, please make sure it is ready-made milk as we do not have facilities for making up bottles from powdered milk.

Storage time for formula milk in hospital is less than at home due to the multiple use of the fridge. A lot of your formula might be thrown away. Small bottles of formula will be less wasteful.

You can read bottle feeding advice on the NHS website.

The Baby Friendly Initiative and First Stepts Nutrition Trust also have useful bottle feeding resources. These include information about infant formula and other infant milks, how to make up formula safely, and responsive bottle feeding.

Hand expressing

We may have asked you to hand express some milk before the birth of your baby.

Our health information about expressing your breastmilk has more guidance about how to do this and the benefits.

You can email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Support with feeding after you leave hospital

If you live in Lambeth and Southwark, we run breast feeding drop-in groups.

Groups finish promptly. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before closing so we have enough time to support you.

You are welcome whether you are breastfeeding, bottle feeding, mixed feeding or starting solids. Come along for practical support and the chance to meet other parents.

No appointment is needed. Just drop in. Friends and family are welcome.

Please email [email protected] for more information.

You can find more feeding support in your local area from:

• Breastfeeding Network Lambeth Facebook page
• Lambeth and Southwark Breastfeeding Support Facebook page

Feeding support resources

• COVID-19 feeding support information leaflet on your Maternity Notes App
• GOV.UK website, advice about breastfeeding and COVID-19
• Start4Life NHS website
• Breastfeeding network helpline: 0300 100 0212 (24 hours a day, every day of the week)
• For information about drugs in breastmilk, you can email [email protected] or visit the breastfeeding network Facebook page
• Association of breastfeeding mothers: 0300 330 545
• La Leche League: 0345 120 2918
• National Childbirth Trust (NCT): 0300 330 0700 (8am to midnight) 
• From bump to breastfeeding video on the Best Beginnings website 
• Baby buddy app guides you through pregnancy and the first 6 months with your baby using interactive information and videos

Donor milk bank

Our donor milk bank provides safe, screened milk to our Evelina London neonatal unit and other hospitals in the south east.

Find out more about becoming a milk bank donor.