Beside You

From bump to baby, breastfeeding help to help you feel supported. Welcome to Beside You. Breastfeeding is great, but we recognise it is not always easy.

Beside You is here to support, advocate and celebrate breastfeeding throughout Medway. Those who wish to breastfeed may need support, and that's why we all need to stand up and say we're Beside You. Whether you're a partner, grandparent, friend, colleague, healthcare professional or business owner, you can help support those breastfeeding in Kent and Medway. We aim to share evidenced based information, updates, local stories and more with support from our team of infant feeding specialists, peer supporters and local families. If you wish to share a story from your breastfeeding journey to support and inform others please send us a message and we will contact you. Check out our other social media:
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24/12/2025

Happy Christmas Eve! 🎄🎁

If you have any questions or need advice on breastfeeding over the Christmas period, we've got your back.

Our Beside You website is full of information and guidance on lots of subjects such as feeding when you or your baby are ill, positioning and attachment, mastitis and lots more! 🤱

Visit our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3tw2HRc

National helplines are also open every day:
NCT 0300 330 0700 (8am to midnight)

The Breastfeeding Network (UK) 0300 100 0212 is open 24 hours a day all through the year.

*Please note, some lines may be closed during bank holidays.

23/12/2025

Give us a ❤️ if this will be you this year? 🤱

Little Miss Breastfeeding at Christmas (and every other day of the year) 🎄🎅

22/12/2025

We know that welcoming a new baby, especially during the festive season, can feel overwhelming with lots of visitors and expectations.

At a time when colds and bugs are common, it’s even more important to protect your little one and yourself.

Setting boundaries isn’t always easy, but it’s absolutely okay to put your baby’s wellbeing first.

Here’s a gentle reminder: it’s perfectly okay to say “no.”

All that matters is you and your baby right now 💜

21/12/2025

Can you become pregnant while breastfeeding?

Yes you can.

Breastfeeding, particularly exclusively, lowers the chances, but surprises happen! If you’re not planning for a Christmas miracle, use extra protection 💛

The risk of pregnancy increases if:
• you start breastfeeding less often especially if there are long intervals between feeds – both day and night, or
• you stop night feeds or
• you use a dummy/pacifier or
• you give any artificial supplements.

For more information about contraception speak to your GP. The Breastfeeding Network (UK) has a factsheet on contraception which you can see here 👉https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/contraception/

21/12/2025

We see you! To anyone who had one of those nights 🤱🥱

We know you may be mega sleep deprived, exhausted and feeling all touched out.

We see you.

Know that despite how you may feel, it does get easier. You will get through this! 💗

Image credit: Miranda Tacchia

20/12/2025

If you need any help with breastfeeding your little one over the festive period, National Breastfeeding Helpline UK provides free evidence-based non-judgemental, friendly infant feeding support for all.

The helpline remains open 24/7 throughout the festive period. So, you can get support at any time of day or night. The helpline is for anyone who wants breastfeeding support.

All calls are answered by volunteers or members of staff who have breastfed their own children, have completed comprehensive accredited training and undertake ongoing training and supervision.

As well as calls to the helpline phone number, support is now available 24/7 via Facebook & Instagram messenger.

Support is also available in Welsh, Polish, Bengali & Sylheti.

The@nationalbreastfeedinghelpline are there for families on every step of your feeding journey however old your baby is; one day, one week, one month, one year old or more.

Call 0300 100 0212 or message via Facebook or Instagram to speak to their friendly team 24/7.

For more information visit their website 👉 https://www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk/

19/12/2025

If your breastfed baby had their way 😂🎄

What would your baby wish for under the tree?

Image credit: MotherWiseLife

18/12/2025

As a breastfeeding mum you may be wondering if you can drink alcohol.

If you do decide to have some alcohol over Christmas, these tips may help:

✨ Anything you eat or drink while you're breastfeeding can find its way into your breastmilk, and that includes alcohol. This will be in minute amounts, so the odd drink isn't likely to harm your breastfed baby. The effects of alcohol on your baby are directly related to the amount you consume

✨ Plan ahead for any evenings where you choose to drink alcohol. You may wish to express breastmilk for your baby, and if you begin to feel drunk, have another responsible adult look after your baby. It's a good idea to make sure you eat well before

✨ NHS guidelines recommend avoiding breastfeeding for 2-3 hours for every drink you have. Alcohol has been found to peak about 30 to 60 minutes after consumption, 60 to 90 minutes when drunk with food. NHS guidance also states that alcohol consumption for all adults, including breastfeeding women, shouldn’t exceed 14 units spread over a week

✨ Sip your drink over a prolonged period of time rather than quickly. Be mindful that if you haven't had any alcohol for a long time, you may be affected by alcohol quicker than you would have been previously

✨ Ask family and friends to support you by not offering to pour or make you alcohol drinks

✨ Never share a bed, armchair or sofa with your baby after drinking alcohol, or if your partner has. Doing this has a strong association with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

National Breastfeeding Helpline UK have lots on information on alcohol and breastfeeding over on their pages.

17/12/2025

It's completely normal and essential for your baby to feed during the night 🤱😴

Give us a ❤️ below to see who else is up feeding their little one too?

16/12/2025

'Tis the season to be jolly...and carry on breastfeeding! 🎄🤱

You can follow a few simple tips that will help you avoid holiday mastitis:

⭐️ Responsively feed your baby.
Feed your baby as often and as much as they want to, and whenever they display any feeding cues

⭐️ Express some milk.
If you find you are uncomfortable or engorged often, you could try expressing some milk to make it more comfortable for you

⭐️ Wear a sling and keep your baby close.
Wearing your baby in a sling means you can feed when you are busy doing things, and you are less likely to miss your baby's hunger cues when other people are interacting with you and your baby

⭐️ Find somewhere comfortable.
If you are in a busy place, find somewhere comfortable to relax and feed so your baby and you do not feel rushed. Take your time feeding your baby, it's easy to rush when there is so much to do/people to talk to

⭐️ Listen to your body.
Pay attention to how your breasts feel. If they are uncomfortable and you need to feed, feed. Express, massage and take a break if you need to

⭐️ Be kind to yourself 💜
Remember to take it easy on yourself. You and your baby come first 💫

For more information on mastitis, visit our website 👉 https://bit.ly/4akxVf1

15/12/2025

It's the time of year where there lots of illness and viruses are around ❄️🤧

We understand how worrying it can be when your little one is ill. Here are some tips on breastfeeding while your baby or child is ill:

💜 Skin-to-skin.
Lots of skin to skin will help to keep your baby calm and stay close to you. It will support your baby to regulate their body temperature at any age when they are feeling unwell.

💛 Feed often and responsively.
Feed whenever your baby is hungry, for however long they need, and for how often your baby needs.

💚 Breastmilk provides antibodies.
Breastfeeding when your baby is unwell will not only provide them with amazing antibodies, it will also support their immune system through the illness. Your breastmilk may also lessen the duration and severity of any viruses too.

💙 Breastmilk provides nutrition and hydration.
Some babies might want to breastfeed for shorter more frequent sessions when they are unwell. Keep offering regular breastfeeds to keep your baby nourished and hydrated.

💛 Sleep.
Sleep is crucial for good health so just like adults, children need their sleep. Babies may sleep for longer when they are ill, or not much at all. Try, if possible, to give your baby a good sleep schedule - it will help them to overcome their illness.

💚 Use saline drops for congestion.
If your baby has a stuffy nose, try using saline drops or a rubber bulb to help clear their nose before breastfeeding. This can help your baby to feed more effectively. Some mothers swear by applying a little breastmilk to help clear congestion.

💙 Keep your baby upright.
Congestion can also make breastfeeding a bit tricky so try to keep them as upright as possible when nursing.

💜 Make breastmilk lollies.
If your baby has a temperature, breastmilk lollies can be a nutritious and hydrating way to help cool them down a little.

If you have any concerns about your baby when they are ill, please do contact your GP or health visitor for further support and advice.

's the time of year where there lots of illness and viruses are around ❄️🤧

Address

Chatham
ME44TR

Website

https://besideyoumedway.co.uk/

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