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Breastfeeding Link Worker Project

Vision: Barnsley to be a breastfeeding friendly town.
Mission: To support communities in Barnsley to understand and embrace the importance of breastfeeding.

Our Services

• Breastfeeding Information & Support
• Breastfeeding Friendly Awarded Places
• Barnsley Breastfeeding Groups
• UNICEF UK, Baby Friendly Initiative
• Barnsley Hospital (BHNFT)

Breastfeeding Information & Support

We visit breastfeeding families and ‘parents to be’ either at home or at a children’s centre. Breastfeeding information and support is provided to the family to support them in their choice to breastfeed their child/children.

Referrals can come from Heath Professionals, Family Support Workers, Peer Supporters & the breastfeeding family. The mums health visitor/midwife is then updated.

Mums are also linked into thier local breastfeeding group to meet other breastfeeding mums and breastfeeding peer supporters.

Frequently asked breastfeeding questions:

• How do I know when my baby needs feeding?
• How do I know my baby is attached properly?
• Why is rooming in important?
• How is milk made?
• How do i express breastmilk?

If you would like information or support with breastfeeding please contact the Breastfeeding Link Workers

UNICEF UK, Baby Friendly Initiative

Unicef Uk Baby Friendly Initiative is a set of requirements for the Hospital and Community which set good practice standards in Infant Feeding Information and Support.Barnsley are currently working to achieve Baby Friendly Status. We are working inconjunction with healthcare providers (from Barnsley Hospital and Primary Care Trust)and Children's Centre to implement Baby Friendly Standards. 

How will this affect families in Barnsley?

Antenatally: During pregancy your Midwife/Health Visitor/Breastfeeding Link Worker will go through and discuss with you the 'Infant Feeding Check List' which will be kept in the mothers hand held notes.

Birth: Support and information will be given to help you with your baby's first feed.

Postnatal Ward: Midwife will complete Hospital Postnatal checklist and provide information and support with feeds. Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteers are also available to provide support and information.

Discharge/Home:Community Midwife/Health Visitor/Breastfeeding Linkworker will complete Community Postnatal Check list. They will also observe a  breastfeed (with mothers permission) and provide information and support. Infant feeding Support and information is ongoing for as long as the family wish. You will also be informed about groups at your local Children's Centre.

Click here to download the Parents Guide to Barnsley Breastfeeding Policy

Barnsley Hospital (BHNFT)

Volunteer opportunities are available at Barnsley Hospital. Breastfeeding Peer support volunteers work collaboratively with hospital staff to provide information and support to breastfeeding families.