Appendix 10 - Barnet Breastfeeding Support and Referral form

Introduction

Breastfeeding has huge benefits in children with DS if it can be established, in a positive and supportive way.  Not only to reduce infections (particularly respiratory and gut) but also to help with jaw development/our chewing and speech muscle development and if the baby is at risk of aspirating (some of the babies had swallowing difficulties) then breastmilk is “safer” for the lungs than formula milk.  We need to give support and practical help for families so they can make informed decisions, and not make any assumptions or judgments based on the child’s additional special needs.

Breastfeeding Support Service

In Barnet, the Breastfeeding Support Service can also provide home visits for mums who meet any of the following criteria:

  • Mum has had a caesarean (within 6 weeks and not out and about) or;

  • They have another child under 4 at home or;

  • Mum won’t leave home for cultural & religious reasons (i.e. “40 day rest period”)

The Breastfeeding Support Service wants mothers and professionals to know that they not only offer support with exclusive breastfeeding but also offers support to mothers:

  • on stopping breastfeeding - both practically and counseling if mother needs

  • on how to keep one breastfeed going, even if the other feeds are not breastmilk/breastfeeds

  • who are expressing breastmilk and giving it by bottle

  • who start to supplement with formula after breastfeeding or who are mix feeding with both breast and formula milk.

Support Groups

Support groups and drop-ins are run in children’s centres throughout the borough.  Click here for more information: Infant feeding and relationship building - Whittington

Support from the Breastfeeding Support Service

Support is available to all families in Barnet whether they are bottle or breastfeeding.

The team can support with concerns relating to; 

  • Difficulty with latch and positioning

  • Poor milk supply

  • Sore nipples or other breast problems (thrush, engorgement, mastitis)

  • Slow weight gain or faltering growth

  • Breast refusal

  • Illness or suspected restricted frenulum (tongue-tie)

  • Responsive bottle feeding

  • Make referrals where necessary

About the team

The Infant feeding team is comprised of a Specialist Health visitor for Infant and breastfeeding and Breast Feeding Support Workers.  We work to UNICEF baby-friendly standards so you can be confident that all team members are trained to a high standard.

How to contact us

 If you are worried about your baby’s feeding  or need support you can contact the Barnet Breastfeeding Support Service on

Outside of these hours, Bank holidays, Saturday and Sunday you can call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on Telephone: 0300 100 2012 . They provide independent, confidential, mother-centred, non-judgmental breastfeeding support and information between 9:30am and 9:00pm (365 days a year).

  • 0300 100 0212 – includes English, Polish and Welsh translations

  • 0300 330 5469 – Tamil, Telugu and Hindi support translations

Other contacts

  • National Childbirth Trust (NCT) on 0300 330 0700 (open every day from 8am to midnight, including bank holidays).

  • Or you can contact your Health Visitor, please call 0207 288 3211


What happens next?

Someone will be checking the inbox daily, Monday- Friday, and we will aim to get back to everyone within 48 hours, with the exception of weekends & bank holidays.  A care plan will be developed in partnership with the mum/carer and may include follow-up appointments or referring to other specialist services. Where appropriate you will be invited or offered one of our sessions;

  • Telephone consultations,

  • appointment-only breastfeeding clinics,

  • virtual breastfeeding support or

  • needs-assessed home visits.

Barnet’s Breastfeeding welcome scheme and locations

Mothers have the legal right to breastfeed anywhere. Sadly, many mothers feel uncomfortable breastfeeding in public even though many venues have an open attitude to breastfeeding.

Barnet Council’s Breastfeeding Welcome scheme helps mothers find welcoming places to breastfeed when they are out and about in the borough.

Local businesses in the scheme will display window stickers letting mothers know they are supported to breastfeed.

Use this link to search and view Welcome scheme locations in Barnet.

Information for Healthcare Professionals

  • Referrals to the service can be made using the Barnet Breastfeeding Support service referral form. For any issue including a suspected tongue-tie that is affecting feeding, referrals would only be made once an infant feeding assessment and plan have been put in place with the parent/carer.

  • Tongue-tie: Sharon Floyd is the Infant Feeding Midwife/Tongue Tie Lead  

  • Royal Free site via bleep 2768 or ext: 36311.

  • Barnet site ext: 65141.

  • Sharon is also available in the Tongue Tie Clinic (Wednesdays only) 0207 830 2144 or ext: 37778.