Feeding your new baby

Arrow 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.

We also have a breastfeeding helpline available Monday-Friday, 8.00 am – 4.00 pm which offers advice on breastfeeding for pregnant women and mothers after discharge from hospital.

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.

Top

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.

Top

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

Wednesdays

1.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Levenshulme Children’s Centre,

1 Broom Avenue,

Manchester, M19 2UH

 0161 219 2958

Tuesdays

11.00 am – 12.30 pm

Chorlton Library/Children’s Centre,

Barlow Moor Road,

Chorlton Cum Hardy
Manchester, M21 9PN

 0161 860 6039

Top