Infant Feeding
Harrogate & District 0-19 community universal children’s services
We to provide a high standard of infant feeding support, so you and your baby can get the care you need to breastfeed successfully and the correct information for responsive formula feeding too.
Breast Feeding
Breastfeeding has many values for you and your baby. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses. Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients your baby needs for the first 6 months of life and beyond. Breastfeeding also helps to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Babies who are breastfed are less likely to have allergies, asthma and diabetes.
Breastfeeding also has many values for mum's too. It can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, breast and ovarian cancer, high blood pressure and heart disease. It's also free and available any time.
Breastfeeding is a learnt skill and most mum's may need support at times. Our infant feeding teams and health professionals are available to offer support in all 0-19 localities, We are here to support you and your baby, and information in your chosen feeding method.
Information regarding infant feeding groups and clinics can be found on your locality page. Why not listen to two of our service users discussing what it is like to come to a group.
For more information watch the video below:
Mothers talking about infant feeding
Introducing Solid Foods
Introducing your baby to solid foods, also referred to as weaning, starts when your baby is around 6 months old.
Your baby should be introduced to a varied diet, alongside their usual breast milk or first infant formula.
To find out what is on offer to support your baby with introducing solids please see your local 0-19 webpage.
NHS Healthy Start
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops.
You can use your card to buy:
- Plain liquid cow’s milk
- Fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
- Fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
- Infant formula milk based on cow’s milk
You can also use your card to collect:
- Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old
For more information and how to apply please visit:
HENRY Programme
HENRY is a programme that helps to support families to make positive life changes, creating healthier and happier home environments and building healthier communities. You and your family can receive support around introducing solid foods, fussy eating and healthy lifestyle choices with 1:1 support or within groups settings.
To find out if you local area provides HENRY workshops please visit your local 0-19 webpage.
UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative
The UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) enables public services to better support families with feeding and developing close and loving relationships so that all babies get the best possible start in life. Our HDFT 0-19 services are undergoing or have achieved Gold UNICEF BFI Accreditation.