Talking about feeding babies !

How you feed your baby is one of the most important decisions that you make as a new parent.  Breastfeeding has vitally important health benefits for both mothers and babies.  It is also cheaper, safer and environmentally friendly !  You can find more information on the importance of breastfeeding on the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative Website. 

The Trust supports the National Assembly for Wales' Strategy to promote breastfeeding and recognises that all mothers have a right to make fully informed choices as to how they feed and care for their babies.  You can find out more about what is going on to support breastfeeding in Wales on the Welsh Assembly's Website.

Policy and Training

Through our Breastfeeding Policy and Staff Training Programme, we seek to ensure that the care a mother and baby receives reaches the standards of the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative.

Mother's Guide to the Trust's Breastfeeding Policy

UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative

The UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative is globally acknowledged as the gold standard for maternity care.  The North West Wales NHS Trust is committed to achieving accreditation with the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative and is actively working towards this aim.

We aim to create an environment where more women choose to breastfeed their babies and are given sufficient information and support to enable them to breastfeed exclusively for around 6 months - with continued breastfeeding encouraged as weaning progresses - in line with UK Government and World Health Organisation recommendations.  Find out more about Baby Friendly Progress in Welsh Hospitals.

We are 'Breastfeeding Friendly'

All premises of the North West Wales NHS Trust (where there is public access) are officially 'Breastfeeding Friendly'.  This means that a mother is welcome to breastfeed her baby - there is no need to seek permission to do so and it is Trust policy that the mother happily breastfeeding will not be disturbed unnecessarily.

Both Gwynedd and Anglesey are currently developing Breastfeeding Friendly / Welcome schemes amongst shops, cafes etc - as your Midwife or Health Visitor for details or download a copy of the Gwynedd Breastfeeding Friendly Premises Leaflet.

Admission of breastfeeding mother to hospital

Occasionally a breastfeeding mother needs to be admitted to hospital.  As part of our drive to improve the care of mothers in this situation, we have recently been working on new guidance for all staff involved in the care of a breastfeeding mother following admission.

Part of this new guidance has been to increase awareness amongst all staff regarding the use of medicines when breastfeeding, this is so that a mother is not advised to stop breastfeeding unnecessary.  For more information, download the Medicines and Breastfeeding Poster.

Breastfeeding Clinic Appointments

If you are experiencing breastfeeding difficulties that are not resolving despite seeking help from your Midwife or Health Visitor, then the Trust's Breastfeeding Specialist / Co-ordinator offers Breastfeeding Clinic appointments.  These appointments are either held in Ysbyty Gwynedd or in the Bethesda Health Clinic, depending on the day of the week the appointment is arranged.  To arrange an appointment, please contact:  sharon.breward@nww-tr.wales.nhs.uk

Other helpful links for breastfeeding mothers

Voluntary Breastfeeding Support Organisations

• Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
• The Breastfeeding Network
• La Leche League
• National Childbirth Trust (NCT)

 Local Support Groups for New Mothers