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Infant Feeding

The Coventry Infant Feeding Team

We are here to help families make an informed decision about how to feed their baby, and to support families through their feeding journey and beyond.

Our breastfeeding support is based on evidence and research enabling the team to offer a gold standard service. Our work is based on extensive and resounding evidence so you can be reassured that the service we offer will provide care and guidance for you and your family along your feeding journey, from bump to baby and beyond!

Many mothers stop breastfeeding before they want to. We respond to the barriers you may face by providing sensitive and effective care so mothers and parents can make an informed choice about feeding, get breastfeeding off to a good start and overcome any challenges.

We have been accredited as a Gold service by UNICEF baby friendly which means we offer a highly rated infant feeding service in Coventry, one of the most prestigious awards you can receive.

The Infant Feeding team and the Health Visiting service are trained and supported by experts to ensure the care is consistent and effective.

We work to support all families to develop close and loving relationships with their newborn and to understand the importance of this for their baby’s development.

We also support parents who are formula feeding by providing information, helping them to feed safely and responsively. In addition, we advocate for better regulation of marketing of breastmilk substitutes so that health professionals and families can receive scientific, unbiased information about infant feeding.

What does our team offer?

  • Mother/Parent is allocated an infant feeding peer support worker.
  • Information on building a close and loving relationship with your baby, before and after the baby is born.
  • Antenatal support.
  • Details of the health benefits of breastfeeding.
  • Information on brain development, oxytocin, effective milk transfer, responsive feeding, and more.
  • Home visits.
  • Virtual Support such as weekday video and telephone consultation and text message support.
  • Infant feeding peer support worker lead clinics.
  • Specialist infant feeding clinics.
  • Pump hire.
  • Staff training.
  • Direction to our social media handles, which is updated with information and support.
  • Unicef’s Baby Friendly Initiative, we have been awarded the gold accreditation.

Video Resources

Blocked Ducts and Mastitis
This video explains what blocked ducts and mastitis are, along with steps you can take to prevent a blocked duct from progressing into mastitis. It also covers the symptoms of mastitis and when to seek additional support.
Watch Blocked Ducts and Mastitis

CHINS
In this video, we explore CHINS—an acronym designed to help you remember how to achieve proper feeding positioning with your baby:
C – Close
H – Head free
I – In line
N – Nose to nipple
S – Sustain the correct position
Watch CHINS

Cracked Nipples
Sore or damaged nipples often indicate a problem with positioning or attachment. Breastfeeding should not cause pain.
Watch Cracked Nipples

Engorgement
Engorgement occurs when milk is not effectively released from the breast. This can result from delays in breastfeeding, poor positioning, or improper attachment. To alleviate engorgement, ensure you are feeding responsively and getting milk out. Hand expressing is recommended, and this video demonstrates how to do it while also covering safe storage of breast milk.
Watch Engorgement

Knowing Breastfeeding is Going Well
This video highlights signs to look for to determine if breastfeeding is progressing well. Are you experiencing soreness? Does your nipple change shape after feeding? Are you feeding every 8–12 times within a 24-hour period, with feeds lasting 5–40 minutes? Are there sufficient wet and dirty nappies?
Watch Knowing Breastfeeding is Going Well

Low Milk Supply
Responsive feeding is key to boosting your milk supply; the more frequently you feed, the more milk you produce, aiming for 8–12 times in 24 hours. Skin-to-skin contact also aids in milk production and stimulates the hormone prolactin.
Watch Low Milk Supply

Positive Attachment – Positioning
This video provides an example of good positioning, showcasing cross cradling position while following the CHIN rule.
Watch Positive Attachment – Positioning

Positive Attachment
In this video, we discuss effective attachment techniques and signs to observe from your baby that indicate correct attachment to the breast.
Watch Positive Attachment

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