Helplines

[HumptyDumpty2]

Does anyone know the names and numbers for breastfeeding/bottle feeding helplines?

Have googled but not sure which are the best

:)

I am a peer supporter for BfN - very good, non-judgemental source of info and the supporters who answer the phone line are usually local to you (so will know about BfN support groups in your area) and have more in depth training to deal with counselling over the phone. (0300 100 0212)

Thank you loopy

Do they help people who have switched to bottle feeding?

Humpty - what support do you need? Are you wanting to go back to breastfeeding after having swapped already to bottles?

If yes, then the BfN will give you the information and support you need to achieve that. If you're mixed feeding, then yes, of course they will help you with ref. to breastfeeding.

If it's purely bottle feeding questions, then I'm sure your HV is the best person to ask about that

If you've swapped to bottle but have feelings of guilt/queries etc about why you couldn't breastfeed/didn't want to carry on etc, then I'm sure they'd listen and offer support too (in case that's another thing you'd like to discuss).

Often, debriefing your breastfeeding experience can be really helpful (just like debriefing after labour and birth) in order to help you understand and move on or do it differently next time etc.

It's not support for me, it's for my dissertation I need to put helplines in my debrief.

MN is the only place I know best to ask

Thanks for your help

All helpline nos. on the mumsnet bf page.

All the vol orgs work in similar ways - no judging, non-directive, supportive.

They do vary in how much they know about formula feeding.

I hope you didn't think I was promoting one over another; it's just that I've only got in depth knowledge of one but tiktok is right - they all do the same thing pretty much.

Thanks Tiktok I'll check those out.

loopy I didn't

Thank you!