In this section
Please do not hesitate to ask for assistance with feeding your baby.
Breastfeeding gives your baby the best possible start in life and benefits you too.
- Breastmilk is the best form of nutrition for babies as it has all the nutrients a baby needs.
- Breastfeeding helps to protect your baby from infection, because antibodies are passed into the breastmilk.
- Breastfeeding reduces the mother’s risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
If you are using drugs or alcohol, or are prescribed Methadone or other medications, it does not mean that breastfeeding is inadvisable – specialist advice is always available to help you give your baby the best start in life.
Your midwife is there to offer you help and support with your choice of feeding method for your baby both whilst you are still in hospital and after you have been discharged.
Tel: (0161) 276 8910
Please see the table below for further information about breastfeeding support available in the North West area, and the link to the right for support available in the Salford area.
Planning to formula feed your baby?
If you choose to not breastfeed you will need to bring enough pre-packed bottles of a readymade newborn formula into hospital with you to last for your stay.
In order to reduce the risk of infection to your baby we recommend that you purchase at least one ‘starter pack’ of first infant milk containing 6 bottles and 6 teats. These are disposable, sterile, single use bottles and provide the safest option when formula feeding you baby whilst in hospital.
Saint Mary’s Hospital does not hold a supply of formula milk so it is important that you purchase this starter pack in advance of coming to hospital to have your baby. You can buy them from most local supermarkets.
Please note that we are unable to store opened formula milk on the wards so please do not bring in a large bottle of milk for your baby.
Central Manchester
Run by the Infant Feeding Team
| When | Where | Contact |
|
Thursdays 1.00 pm – 2.00 pm |
Ardwick Sure Start Children’s Centre Medlock Primary School, Wadeson Road, Ardwick, M13 9UJ |
Centre Tel: 0161 871 2619 Infant Feeding Team, Group Lead: 0161 720 5982 |
North Manchester
Run by the Infant Feeding Team
| When | Where | Contact |
|
Mondays 9.30 am – 12.30 pm |
Charlestown Children’s Centre Colmore Drive Manchester M9 7GB |
Centre Tel: 0161 796 4532 Group Lead (Heather): 0161 0161 720 5975 |
|
Tuesdays 2.00 pm – 3.30 pm |
‘Just for me’ Infant Feeding Group Holland Street, Miles Platting, M40 7DA |
Centre Tel: 0161 277 6970 Group Lead (Lorraine): 0161 683 2536 |
|
Wednesdays 1.00 pm – 2.00 pm |
Harpurhey Children’s Centre North City Family and Fitness Centre Upper Conran Street, Harpurhey, M9 4DA |
Centre Tel: 0161 205 0830 Group Lead (Infant Feeding Team): 0161 720 5982 |
|
Wednesdays 1.30 pm – 3.30 pm |
Manchester Art Gallery Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3JL |
Group Lead (Jane): 0161 230 2240 (to arrange an appointment) |
|
Fridays 9.30 am – 11.30 am |
Woodville Childrens Centre Shirley Road, Cheetham, Manchester, M8 0NE |
Centre Tel: 0161 234 3000 Group Leads (Kate and Zurina): 0161 202 8751 |
|
Fridays 1.00 pm – 2.00 pm |
Clayton Children’s Centre 101 North Road, Manchester, M11 4NE |
Centre Tel: 0161 219 6177 Group Lead (Lisa): 0161 219 9470 |
South Manchester
Run by the Midwifery Services
| When | Where | Contact |
|
Mondays 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm |
Old Moat Children’s Centre, Old Moat Lane, Withington, Manchester, M20 1DE |
Centre Tel: 0161 291 5461 |
|
Mondays 10.00 am – 12.00 pm |
Library inside Wythenshawe Forum, Simonsway, Wythenshawe, Manchester, M22 5RX |
Centre Tel: 0161 291 5461 |
Run by Barnardo’s peer supporters
| When | Where | Contact |
|
First Monday of the month 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm |
Woodhouse park Children’s Centre Dinmore Road, Wythenshawe, M22 1NW |
0161 499 0525 |
|
Third Tuesday of the month 9.30 am – 11.30 am |
Baguley Children’s Centre, Ackworth Drive, Wythenshawe, M23 1LB |
0161 998 4379 |
Run by Midwifery Services
| When | Where | Contact |
|
Thursdays 9.30 am – 11.30 am |
Moss Side Sure Start Children’s Centre, 30 Selworthy Road, Manchester, M16 7UH |
0161 226 0162 |
|
Tuesdays 11.00 am – 12.30 pm |
Chorlton Library/Children’s Centre, Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton Cum Hardy |
0161 860 6039 |