Released on: 28 April 2019
Updated on 8 May 2019
We are committed to offering specialist support for all parents however they decide to feed their babies.
NCT supports parents by helping them to prepare for feeding their baby as part of antenatal education, by providing breastfeeding and postnatal support, and through our infant feeding helpline. We also provide evidence-based information on infant feeding on our website. Across all of these offers, the focus is on evidence-based, parent-centred and non-judgmental support – listening to, respecting and supporting parents.
Parents tell us that all too often their experience of statutory postnatal help with feeding falls short of what they need. Research shows that the overwhelming majority of women who stop breastfeeding in the early weeks would have preferred to carry on. We advocate for better help with all aspects of feeding and services and a wider society where there are fewer barriers to happy, confident and effective breastfeeding.
Our breastfeeding counsellors and peer supporters offer highly valued practical and emotional support with infant feeding to thousands of women every year – on our infant feeding helpline, in people’s homes, on postnatal wards and in community drop-ins and Baby Cafés. They have all had extensive training in supporting new parents. This includes offering relevant, non-judgmental information and support – whether parents are breastfeeding, formula feeding or a combination of the two.
NCT supports and adheres to the World Health Organization’s International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. We provide trusted, independent and personalised support, alongside evidence-based information on a range of feeding topics. We promote a context in which all parents are able to have positive experiences of feeding their babies.
