Skip to main content Skip to accessibility
This website is not compatible with your web browser. You should install a newer browser. If you live in Jersey and need help upgrading call the States of Jersey web team on 440099.
Government of Jerseygov.je

Information and public services for the Island of Jersey

L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri

  • Choose the service you want to log in to:

  • gov.je

    Update your notification preferences

  • one.gov.je

    Access government services

  • CAESAR

    Clear goods through customs or claim relief

  • Talentlink

    View or update your States of Jersey job application

Man holding babyMan holding baby

Baby Friendly Initiative Breastfeeding Standards

While research fully supports breast milk as the best option for infant feeding in terms of your baby's overall health and development, your decision regarding how you wish to feed your baby needs to be based on what you feel is right for you and your baby. Whatever you choose you will be supported by healthcare professionals.

Our Health Visitors and Midwives are working together to implement the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative Standards to increase our local breastfeeding rates.

The Baby Friendly Initiative is a programme designed by UNICEF to help staff to empower parents to build close and loving relationships with their babies, and to make feeding choices which support optimum health and development.

Through structured training and assessment of skills our staff work within a set of standards. Once assessed as having all standards embedded in practice an award is made by UNICEF for Full Baby Friendly accreditation.

We've been working towards Baby Friendly status since June 2018 with a certificate of commitment awarded to the Maternity Unit, Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) and our Health Visiting Services.

We're currently working towards a stage 1 assessment in 2019, with a plan for all staff in these services to receive training in the standards.

You can find out more about breastfeeding and your newborn on the NHS website.

Online videos about Bump to Breastfeeding on the Best Beginnings website follows the journey of real women through pregnancy. The video encourages women to breastfeed, describing the benefits and offering hints and tips to help women through any difficulties they may encounter.

Getting support with breastfeeding

If you have any concerns about breastfeeding or have any problems you should talk to a midwife, health visitor or doctor. Problems or concerns may include:

  • sore and cracked nipples
  • milk supply
  • your baby’s latch and tongue tie
  • breast engorgement
  • thrush
  • blocked ducts
  • mastitis
  • breast abscess

Find out more about common breastfeeding problems on the NHS website.

NCT Breastfeeding Helpline

You can get breastfeeding advice and support by calling the NCT Breastfeeding Helpline on +44 (0) 300 33 00 771 . The line is open 8am to 10pm, seven days a week. Give our volunteers a call if you have any questions or concerns about breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding Buddies

All pregnant and breastfeeding mums are welcome to Breastfeeding Buddies drop-in centres with their partners or family members to get help about all aspects of breastfeeding. Your midwife or health visitor will be able to give you information about the drop-in groups.

Hiring a breast pump

NCT Jersey's volunteer breast pump agent has Ameda Elite hospital grade breast pumps available for short or long term hire. Email NCT Jersey to find out more details.

Dairy and other food sensitivities in breastfed babies

A small percentage of breastfeeding mothers notice an obvious difference in their baby's behaviour and / or health when they eat certain foods.

Cow's milk products are the most common problem foods but other foods like soy, wheat, eggs and peanuts can also sometimes cause problems.

If your baby is sensitive to a particular food then they might show some of these symptoms:

  • fussy after feeding
  • cry inconsolably for long periods
  • stomach rumbling and pains
  • wind
  • vomiting
  • diarrhoea
  • skin reactions such as a rash
  • runny or blocked nose

If you think your baby is reacting to a particular food then speak to your doctor for advice. If your doctor thinks your baby might be sensitive to a certain food they will ask you to try eliminating that food from your diet for 2 to 3 weeks to see if your baby's symptoms improve.

Reflux

Babies often bring up milk during or shortly after feeding. This is known as posseting or reflux.

It's different from vomiting, where a baby's muscles forcefully contract. Reflux is just your baby effortlessly spitting up whatever they've swallowed.

It's very common and will usually pass by the time your baby is a year old.

There are a few things you can do to help your baby with reflux. These include:

  • burping your baby regularly throughout feeding
  • giving your baby smaller but more frequent feeds
  • holding your baby upright for a period of time after feeding

Reflux in babies on the NHS website

Family room at St Helier Town Hall

A family room where mothers can breastfeed their babies in comfort and security is available on the ground floor of St Helier Town Hall.

The family room is available for use during the Town Hall's opening hours which are between 9am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Returning to work and breastfeeding

Under the Family Friendly Rights 2020 change to the Employment (Jersey) Law 2003, employees have the right to request temporary changes to contract terms specifically for breastfeeding breaks.

Speak to your doctor or health visitor for advice before returning to work.

Breastfeeding Provision 2020 on the JACS website

Feeding your baby and returning to work on the NHS website

Guide to breastfeeding in the workplace on the JACS website

Breastfeeding friendly businesses

​Business (by Parish)
Address​Parish​Postcode​
St Helier
St Helier Parish Hall​50 York Street
St Helier​JE4 8PA​
Wildfire14 Mulcaster StreetSt HelierJE2 3NJ
The AdelphiThe ParadeSt HelierJE2 3QP
La Hacienda9 Caledonia PlaceSt HelierJE2 3NF
So Bar36 The EsplanadeSt HelierJE2 3QA
The AdmiralSt James StreetSt HelierJE2 3QZ
The Butterfly Effect Café37 The ParadeSt HelierJE2 3ED
The LidoHavre des PasSt HelierJE2 4UQ
Coopers Castle QuayRue de L'etauSt HelierJE2 4EH
Pip's Place15 Union StreetSt HelierJE2 3RF
Voisins Kitchen26-32 King StreetSt HelierJE4 8NF
Samphire11 Don StreetSt HelierJE2 4TQ
St Saviour
AhaHoward Davis Park, St Clement's RoadSt SaviourJE2 7PX
St Brelade
The Boat House1 North QuaySt BreladeJE3 8BS
The Beach ClubLe Mont SohierSt BreladeJE3 8EA
The Portelet InnLa Route de NoiremontSt BreladeJE3 8AJ
The TenbyThe BulwarksSt BreladeJE3 8AB
St Peter
The Goose​La Route de la Haule
St Peter​JE3 7BA​
Sir George de CarteretLa Grande Route de St PierreSt PeterJE3 7AZ
St Mary
The Priory Inn​La Grande Rue
St Mary​JE3 3BD​
St John
Les Fontaines TavernLa Route du NordSt JohnJE3 4AJ
St Lawrence
The Sheep ShedLa Rue de la HauteurSt LawrenceJE3 1FY
St Martin
Breakwater Café​La Route de Ste Catherine
St Martin​JE3 6DD​
Royal St MartinLa Grande Route de FaldouetSt MartinJE3 6UG


Back to top
rating button