Baby feeding
Good nutrition is important for babies and children. Correct feeding in the first 3 years of life can even reduce the risk of disease and illnesses.
Feeding your baby might feel overwhelming at first. We have lots of support for you, to make sure you and your baby are able to get the best start.
If you have any worries or concerns about feeding, make sure you speak to your midwife or health visitor. They can help.
Breast & chest feeding
There is a lot of evidence that breastmilk is the best form of nutrition for babies. It can also support your relationship and their brain development. Breast feeding reduces the feeding parent's risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and heart disease. It can also have financial and environmental benefits.
However, breastfeeding isn’t always easy to begin with. Expert support is available to you.
Bottle feeding
If you've decided to bottle feed, you may be wondering what formula to buy, what equipment you'll need and how to get the hang of feeding your baby when everything is brand new.
If you have any worries or concerns, the best thing to do is speak to your midwife or health visitor.
However, it’s good to know that all infant formulas will meet your baby's nutritional needs, regardless of brand or price. By law, all infant formula sold in the UK must meet the same standards, which means they are all suitable for your baby's growth and development.
Support to feed your baby
- Infant feeding cafés -
- Help from your Midwife -your midwife will book an appointment with you to talk about your options for baby feeding. They will also offer you infant feeding classes and can give you demonstrations on how to feed safely.
- Help from your Health Visitor
- The National Breastfeeding Helpline
- Start4Life
- NCT Breastfeeding line
- La Leche League GB
- Unicef support for parents
Related Services
Related services
NCT Breastfeeding Line
Getting support when you need it is important. Feeding isn't always straightforward and it can take time to feel confident. The great news is that NCT is here to support you.
National Breastfeeding Helpline
The National Breastfeeding Helpline offers friendly, non-judgemental, independent, evidence based breastfeeding support and information to anyone in the UK who needs it.
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