With the beginning of the Covid Vaccination programme starting we are hearing lots of questions and concerns about safety and recommendations surrounding this and what this means for pregnant & breastfeeding mums.

As we aren’t medically trained ourselves, we can’t comment directly but have put together a selection of reputable sources to allow you to access further information. Remember this is a developing situation and as more research is completed guidelines may change. If you have any concerns about your individual situation, speak to your health care provider. read more

Often one of the best assets new families have are the grandparents.
Providers of practical support, childcare and financial backing! What would we do without them?
We know that grandparents provide children with so much, and the relationship between new parents and their parents gives children their first insights into how families work.

The feedback we got from new families was that their own parents were a great source of support, but it was often difficult as much of the information had changed and parents were torn between listening to advice from their parents and wanting to follow the research based information given to them. read more

You might remember back in June, Breastfeeding Together were named as recipients of The Queens award for Voluntary Service!

We had really hoped that by now we’d be able to receive the award in a lavish ceremony, and throw a huge party for all our wonderful volunteers.

Yet as with so many things in 2020, that wasn’t meant to be and in the end it was a simple affair, as yesterday our directors officially accepted the award from The Queen’s representative.

And here it is!

• Our silver lining of 2020
• Our Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service- Signed by Her Majesty herself, in recognition of the amazing work we do, and the impact we have had on our community.

So, although we can’t have the celebration we really want, it doesn’t make this any less special. We are overwhelmed all over again, just as we were back in June. We cannot thank our volunteers and all of those who have continued to support and believe in us enough, we couldn’t have done it without you! read more

On the back of World mental health day yesterday, and as this week (October 9-15) is Baby Loss Awareness Week, we are honoured that Abigail has chosen to share her story with us.

This one comes with a trigger warning, as it discusses baby loss.

And if you do read on, make sure you have tissues close to hand!

Thank you to Abigail and Francis for sharing, you are truly inspirational.

When I was pregnant I knew that I wanted to “at least try breastfeeding, but I wasn’t going to get hung up over it if I couldn’t do it”. But as soon as my baby, Francis was born in June 2019 I became obsessed with all things breastfeeding. I think it was due to all the amazing support I had from the hospital, Breastfeeding Together and family that got me through those tricky first few weeks and made breastfeeding such an amazing experience. I would breastfeed anywhere and everywhere, and I loved every second of it. Francis was born with a Congenital Heart Defect, and I knew that breastfeeding was giving him the best possible chance in life. However, at just 6 months old my baby boy suddenly and unexpectedly passed away in my arms due to his heart condition. read more

We are pleased to announce the services which The National Lottery Community Fund will allow us to provide!

This funding allows us to continue-

Our Live Web Chat which runs daily from 10am-1pm & 7pm-10pm accessed by clicking the chat icon in the corner of the screen.

Our popular online Facebook support group ‘Breastfeeding Together-Connect & Share’

It also allows us to introduce the following new services-

Our Breastfeeding Support Line is back! Speak to a trained supporter between 10am-10pm daily on 07742 234496

2 new online support groups-  Bumps and Brew for pregnant women & Boobs and Brews for infant feeding support. Find details of both groups here. read more

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded funding from the government’s National Lottery Community Fund, to allow us to continue provision of some our essential services and also introduce some new ones! Watch this space for full details in the coming days!

Thank you to everyone who continues to support us!

Did you know? You can now shop with us!

Our online store stocks a wide range of items, from our own branded merchandise to handmade items from local small businesses and every purchase support Breastfeeding Together!

If you are a peer supporter, you can come to us to buy your kit- we have knitted boobs, nappies and tummy balls, to help you demonstrate!

Thanks to the ‘hookers & clickers’ of Yorkshire, we have what is possibly the best selection of crocheted baby blankets in the Northwest.

Breastfeeding fiddle/teething necklaces that look the part- no problem, we have those too. read more

We are saddened that our commissioned service providing hospital support and home visits to breastfeeding mothers in Wigan Borough ended earlier this month.

10 years ago Wigan Borough was forward thinking and invested money in a service that would change thousands of women’s and families’ lives. It’s devastating that such an essential support service has ended for families both now and in the future, who won’t receive the non-judgemental support from our highly skilled and knowledgeable peer supporters. read more

It’s a sad old week here at Breastfeeding Together.

Our agreement with WWL NHS Foundation Trust finished at the end of July so we will no longer receive details of women living within Wigan Borough who are providing breastmilk on discharge from hospital. Therefore no new breastfeeding mothers will enter our service after the 30th of July. If you have been discharged on or before this date, we will continue to provide help and information to you up to our contract end date of the 5th of August 2020. read more