New Breastfeeding Helpline in the United Kingdom
February 16, 2008 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under breastfeeding, breastfeeding basics, health of the mother, law, multiples
The Department of Health in the United Kingdom pledged the funding necessary to establish a new breastfeeding helpline in conjunction with The Breastfeeding Network and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers. The new helpline number will be: 0844 20 909 20. The Government News Network notes:
3. The National Breastfeeding Helpline will be available in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
4. The National Breastfeeding Helpline is staffed by trained volunteer mothers from the Breastfeeding Network and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers who have all breastfed themselves, and who take calls in their own homes. Calls will be charged at 5p per minute from BT lines plus a 3p call set up charge from BT residential lines. Mobiles and other providers’ charges may vary. The lines will be open from 9.30am -9.30pm. The volunteers will answer when they can so if you don’t get through first time please try again later.
The United States has a similar toll-free telephone helpline staffed by La Leche League.
I think that it’s wonderful that the UK is such more accepting of breastfeeding. It’s a shame that the states doesn’t promote breastfeeding on a more public scale.