Breastfeeding support in Scotland

NCT is commissioned by both the Scottish Government and NHS to run a variety of free breastfeeding support services across Glasgow and Lothian.

Parents and children with a peer supporter

Glasgow and Lothian Breastfeeding Buddies

Our services are delivered by our specially trained peer supporters. They can provide social, emotional and practical support to pregnant and new mums, both during pregnancy and once baby arrives.

We provide support through face to face drop-in groups, as well as providing support on neonatal and postnatal wards.

Breastfeeding peer support

Peer supporters are mums themselves who live in the local area and have lived experience of pregnancy, raising a child and everything in between.

They receive accredited training through the programme enabling them to be non-judgmental, empathic and very good listeners.

No matter what your breastfeeding journey looks like, whether you are a first-time mum or have breastfed before, we will work with you to support you to reach your breastfeeding goals.

Become a breastfeeding peer supporter

As a peer supporter, you will have a positive impact on mothers and parents, helping to make breastfeeding more inclusive and accessible.

You will need to have:

lived experience of breastfeeding
availability to undertake 21 hours online training and complete an online workbook
commitment to a minimum of 2 hours volunteers per week

You can apply to become a breastfeeding peer supporter for:

I struggled with confidence when my baby was very young. Just talking to another mum who had breastfed and knew what I was going through was fantastic. Steph [NCT peer supporter] gave me the confidence to trust my instinct and I’m delighted we are still feeding at 11 weeks.

Face to face drop-in groups

Our drop-in groups are a great place to get support, meet other breastfeeding mums and enjoy a cuppa in a friendly and welcoming setting.

Glasgow Breastfeeding Buddies group

Day	Time	Location
Monday	10am to 11:30am	Hillhead Community Centre, Kirkintilloch
Monday	12:30pm to 2pm	St Francis Community Centre, Glasgow
Thursday	10am to 11:30am	Dunterlie Resource Centre, Barrhead

Lothian Breastfeeding Buddies group

Day	Time	Location
Tuesday	10am to 11am	Kidz n Kin, Livingston
Tuesday	10am to midday	First Step Community Project, Musselburgh
Wednesday	11am to midday	Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre, Edinburgh
Wednesday (2nd and 4th of the month)	11:30am to 12:30pm	Lighthouse Cafe, Prestonpans
Wednesday (1st, 3rd and 5th of the month)	11:30am to 12:30pm	Haddington Library, Haddington
Thursday	10:30am to 11:30am	Cameron House Community Education Centre, Edinburgh
Thursday	1pm to 2pm	Pilton Community Health Project, Edinburgh
Friday	10am to 11am	Armadale Resource Centre, Armadale

Friendly and supportive group. Always feel welcome for a chat and a cup of tea.

Postnatal and neonatal ward support

Our aim is to help you get your breastfeeding journey off to the best start possible.

NCT peer supporters attend postnatal wards across Glasgow and Lothian to help mums with information, emotional and practical support to establish breastfeeding after birth and during their baby’s stay in the ward.

You can ask your ward staff about NCT breastfeeding peer support. Look out for our QR code posters and magnets on the wards.

Glasgow Breastfeeding Buddies provides support in:

Lothian Breastfeeding Buddies provides support in:

They were supportive and validated my concerns and feelings. The access to videos was very helpful to reassure and remind me of teachings when at home.