Where to get breastfeeding support in Bedfordshire and Luton

Baby Brasseries, breastfeeding support groups

Baby Brasseries and breastfeeding cafes are breastfeeding support groups in various locations around Bedfordshire and Luton. These offer a welcoming environment for women to meet other breastfeeding mums and form a support network, as well as get help with breastfeeding issues.  We welcome mums to attend with older siblings and encourage pregnant women to join us and talk about breastfeeding, meet the team and become familiar with the group. This may help new mums to feel more confident to attend once the baby has arrived.

Baby Brasseries can be found in the following places:

Baby Brasseries and breastfeeding cafes are social support groups for breastfeeding mums, where they can access support from each other and staff. For further information regarding Baby Brasserie venues or Luton Community Health Services speak to your health visitor (0300 555 0606) or visit: NHS Bedfordshire Children & Young People’s Services Facebook Page (@BedsCYP)

Bedfordshire Breastfeeding Buddies – peer support service

We are proud to have a mother to mother peer support service – our volunteer Bedfordshire Breastfeeding Buddies (BBB). They attend Brasseries and Pop-ins alongside the 0-19 team (health visitors, community staff nurses & nursery nurses) to provide support to mums.  Buddies have undergone training to help support breastfeeding mothers and keep up to date with the latest information on breastfeeding.

What is a Bedfordshire Breastfeeding Buddy (BBB)?

A Breastfeeding Buddy is a mum who has breastfed, usually for at least three months, and  has volunteered to support other breastfeeding mums. This role is also known as a breastfeeding peer supporter.  Buddies have undergone training to help support breastfeeding mothers and keep up to date with the latest information on breastfeeding.

BBB’s offer mothers emotional and practical support with breastfeeding and model breastfeeding as an everyday part of life.

A BBB may be asked to volunteer at a Baby Brasserie, a Pop-in (Well Baby Clinic) or Antenatal group.  They are there to provide valuable mother-to-mother support – they will always have a member of the 0-19 Team or Children’s Centre staff at the group to support them.  We expect that a BBB will be able to volunteer for us at least twice a month.

How do I become a Bedfordshire Breastfeeding Buddy (BBB)?

In the first instance speak to your Health Visitor or contact ccs.beds.childrens.babyfriendlyteam@nhs.net

You will meet with one of the Baby Friendly Team prior to attending the 2 ½ day training course and be given an application pack to complete, which includes a criminal record (DBS) check and a health questionnaire.

We will ask you to attend our 2 ½ day Breastfeeding Management and Relationship Building course and complete the required practical elements of the course.

What support will I receive as a Bedfordshire Breastfeeding Buddy (BBB)?

As a BBB, you will be linked to the 0-19 team which covers the area you volunteer in. You will have a Buddy Champion, who works within the 0-19 team and is your first contact point with any issues or queries.

The Baby Friendly Team will support you during your time as a BBB. As part of this, we expect you to attend Update & Reflection sessions. These take place once every half term and will be local to you. Update & Reflection sessions are a chance for you to talk about any issues you have come across, as well as learn about relevant topics to your role. You are welcome to bring your little ones along with you to these sessions.

Introducing solids – interactive learning sessions

These sessions take place roughly weekly at children’s centres around Bedfordshire. Please ring your individual children’s centre to find out when the next one is happening and to book a place.

Find children's centres in Bedford Borough here

Find children's centres in Central Bedfordshire here

Also see our introducing solids page here. 

How to find out more

For more information please contact the Baby Friendly Team:
ccs.beds.childrens.babyfriendlyteam@nhs.net

For help and support with breastfeeding outside of normal working hours the following contact details may be useful.

National helpline numbers which are charged at local rates
National Breastfeeding helpline number – 0300 100 0212 – 9.30-21.30
NCT Breastfeeding helpline number – 0300 330 0771 – 08.00 – 22.00
Breastfeeding Network supporter line – 0300 456 2421 – 09.30 – 21.30
(Bengali and Syleti)
La Leche League helpline number – 0345 120 2918 (8am to 11pm)