Balham Baby Cafe and Breastfeeding Drop-in

Are you breastfeeding a baby or planning to breastfeed? Would you like support or information on breastfeeding? Would you like to meet other breastfeeding parents?

Are you mixed feeding and have questions about how to express or make up a bottle safely? Want to learn the paced bottle feeding technique? 

Have you been told your baby needs to go on a feeding plan and you are not sure how to reduce the top-ups over time or how to maintain your milk supply? 

Are you struggling with triple feeding, feeling exhausted and needing some support? Is your baby teething, gets distracted easily, or do they have a shallow latch which causes you pain? 

Do you have questions about weaning and introducing solid foods?

Then visit our highly trained Breastfeeding Counsellors at our Breastfeeding drop-ins for free support and information. You’ll find a relaxed and friendly environment. ALL welcome!

When

ONLINE   every Monday and Friday from 10 am - 12 noon on ZOOM - links are shared in our Balham Breastfeeding Cafe WhatsApp group and closed FB group CLICK TO JOIN 

IN PERSON   every Thursday from 10 am - 12 noon (last entry 11.30) at the Balham Baptist Church, 21 Ramsden Rd, London SW12 8QX

Contact

For other enquiries email: Julie, at balhambreastfeedingcafe@gmail.com or our branch coordinator, Borie at coordinator.clapham@nct.org.uk

DONATE to keep our Breastfeeding and Baby feeding drop-ins open

Our branch has been providing weekly breastfeeding support to local parents at the Balham Breastfeeding Drop-in since 2008. 

The drop-in is a fantastic resource which offers one-to-one access to highly qualified NCT breastfeeding counsellors in a safe, friendly and relaxed environment hosted by dedicated local volunteers. 

We have supported hundreds of women and their families, many of whom are feeling physically and emotionally vulnerable and are in the very early days of motherhood, often visiting us when their babies are just a few days old.  The service is open to all and is viewed by the branch and the parents who use it as a valuable and critical resource, particularly given the overstretched nature of NHS postnatal support. 

“I wanted to send you a quick email to let you know that my baby boy is feeding quite a lot better since we came to see you at the breastfeeding cafe in Balham.  Many thanks for your help.  I have been telling other women about the brilliant support you provide and wish I had known about you earlier.”  Email received from a local mum 

The cafe costs around £8500/year to run and is funded entirely by branch fundraising and donations. Currently, funds are covered by a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund. We welcome all parents and it is free to access our service, however, in order to ensure this service continues indefinitely, donations are welcome on our JustGiving page.

Please get in touch with Julie at balhambreastfeedingcafe@gmail.com if you:

• Would like to make a one-off or regular donation to the breastfeeding drop-in or visit our JustGiving page
• Have access to a corporate donation scheme through your employer e.g. matched giving scheme, community grants
• Would be interested in sponsorship of one or more sessions of the breastfeeding cafe
• Would like to get involved in fundraising for the breastfeeding cafe

Breast pump agents: for hire of hospital-grade pumps

Local hire of Medela hospital-grade breast pumps at Kanari Pharmacy (SW6 5SA, 020 7736 1500).  Or direct from manufacturers:  Ameda, Ardo or Medela.