Megan Stephenson Breastfeeding Counsellor

31/03/2026

Setting up for an evening talking with expectant parents about what feeding their baby could be like is so much nicer after the clocks change.

26/03/2026

25/03/2026

It's important that parents are given accurate information so that they can make informed decisions. Misleading marketing should be illegal.

Formula milk marketing exploits parental anxieties about common infant behaviours such as fussiness or poor sleep.

Premium branding is paraded as having “premium benefits”, when in fact the only difference is the price.

Claims made by the formula milk industry about their products are often misleading, scientifically unsubstantiated & violate the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.

WHO is calling on governments to end exploitative marketing and protect babies’ health.

23/03/2026

Recently I've been having a few conversations with mothers who are in the process of, or thinking about, introducing solid foods to their babies.

The guidance on this is the same regardless of what milk your baby is currently having - whether that's breastmilk, first infant formula or a mixture of both: wait until your baby is around six months (26 weeks) old, is able to sit unaided, can reach out and grab things and take them to put in their mouth and, more subtle this one, has lost their tongue thrust reflex.

The tongue thrust reflex is one that babies are born with - when they feel an object near the front of their mouth, they will push their tongue forward. By six months this reflex is starting to fade away. Babies who still have this reflex will be unlikely to swallow much solid food, this means that, as long as the other signs are there that your baby is ready, and you don't try to force your baby to swallow the solids, you can safely start offering solids without needing to check that final element.

Between six and twelve months the aim is to give your baby opportunities to experience different tastes and textures. They will still need to get the vast majority of their nutrients from milk. The chances are that the amount of milk feeding stays pretty much the same as it was before and that's healthy and normal.

If you're starting to think about this stage for your baby and you're feeling worried about it, NCT offers more detailed information here

Introducing your baby to solid food for the first time can be exciting – but may also be daunting. Read our guide to how and when to start your baby on solids.

17/03/2026

Lovely sunny day at Ely Baby Bank this morning . I'm here every Tuesday morning 11-12 for anyone to pop in if they have feeding related questions or concerns.

16/03/2026

I've been busy baking these winter spiced fudge crinkle cookies to bring along to my infant feeding support group tomorrow at Ely Baby Bank 11-12. Looking forward to supporting parents with any feeding related concerns. Last week I talked to two families about their worries and question around introducing solids to their babies. I wonder what people will bring this week.

15/03/2026

Happy Mothering Sunday.

If you are, or care about, a mother of a baby or young child, then how to feed that infant might be something you worry about.

The landscape of infant feeding support is not always straight forward to navigate so here’s some guidance to help youhttps://lcgb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Whos-Who-in-Breastfeeding-LCGB-June-2025-with-links.pdf

Note – whilst this might appear to suggest that going straight to an IBCLC is the best idea, do be aware that if you are supported by any of the other roles it is more likely to be offered for free and, if they are unable to support you they would be required by their own training to support you to find the appropriate person for your issue.

In the Cambridgeshire area there is the very useful website: pbcinfantfeeding.org which will help you to find your local, free, specialist infant feeding support options.

13/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/firststepsnutritiontrust/posts/pfbid0iYUHLjGG2tV63N9apzg1CYW51L1jeSpemPnUvwCDoh13H6NMR9PMshNeqjMpgDg6l Important and useful information about costs for families using formula to feed their babies.

11/03/2026

Ooh! Know anyone whose baby is due soon and who could do with that boost of confidence that antenatal education gives?

We've been voted Best Antenatal Class and Best Antenatal Education Course for 2026, so we’re celebrating the best way we know how: Save 20% on all NCT Antenatal courses starting in March!

Our award‑winning courses give you:
💚 Trusted, evidence‑based info
💚 Support from experienced NCT course leaders
💚 Practical tools for birth and early parenthood
💚 A ready‑made community of parents due at the same time

Spaces will go quickly, so grab one while you can - no need for a code, the discount will already be applied!

Book today with NCT 🔗 www.nct.org.uk/courses-workshops/nct-antenatal-course

27/02/2026

I will be available for free infant feeding support today 12-2 at Cottenham Baby Cafe . As I am every Friday.

26/02/2026

Wonderful team. Only wish they could be cloned!

Meet the Rosie Maternity Infant Feeding Team!

We’re a small, friendly team of midwives and an Infant Feeding Support Worker, bringing IBCLC-level lactation expertise alongside practical and compassionate care, to help families feed their babies with confidence.

💛We support breastfeeding and expressing, helping babies feed comfortably and effectively
💛We offer guidance on formula and mixed feeding, to support informed choices
💛We help families navigate feeding challenges, from latch concerns to growth concerns

We are here to support every family in reaching their feeding goals, providing practical advice, reassurance and encouragement throughout your journey.

Find out more on our Infant Feeding webpage:
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/rosie-hospital/maternity/infant-feeding/

24/02/2026

Here are the upcoming dates for March Library sessions - please note it's a 5 week month so there will be no session on Monday 30th. No need to book, but if you have any questions please feel free to drop us a message!