We believe that breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby and we recognise the important benefits that breastfeeding provides for both you and your child. We therefore encourage you to breastfeed your baby. However we support the right of all parents to make informed choices about infant feeding.
Download our patient information leaflet on breastfeeding
We also have information for those on our wards around breastfeeding.
We can help you to ensure you breastfeed successfully, our staff have been specially trained to help you breastfeed your baby.
We think it is a good idea that your baby is with you at all times. This enables you respond to your babies needs, as well as giving you the opportunity to become more confident with comforting and handling your baby.
It is also enables demand feeding or baby-led and gives you the opportunity to learn baby’s feeding cues. Baby-led feeding is important to ensure baby feeds when they want to so they take what they want when they want it. In the first few days this is very often, as your baby is settling up the milk production for the next 6 months.
Feeding cues are how the baby “asks” for a feed. The baby will do this by rooting, licking or sucking fingers, wriggling and restlessness. We will give you advice on how to recognise that baby is feeding correctly. Good signs to look for are that baby is having wet and dirty nappies as colostrum (the first breastmilk) has a laxative effect so will help clear the babies gut by making it easier for the baby to pass the meconium (first stool).
When you are discharged, you will be given information about support groups within your area. You will also be referred to an infant feeding team, who, along with the community midwifery team can support you with any breastfeeding issues you may have whilst you are at home.
Infant Feeding Team can be reached on 07904 984620.
Coventry City Council are positive about breastfeeding.
Download the leaflet
Wondering what breastfeeding is really like? How do people breastfeed when they’re out and about? What should you do if breastfeeding hurts? From bump to breastfeeding is a series of films from Best Beginnings that follow four mums who decide to breastfeed. The clips will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about breastfeeding and how to do it successfully.
Watch the films.
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Please ensure you have a current blood test request form, if not please contact your hospital consultant or GP and they will post one to you. Unfortunately, your blood test will need to be rescheduled if you do not have a blood test request form when you come to a Blood Test clinic.
All blood tests are by appointment, please book an appointment using the Book Online button below.
If you have an appointment and cannot attend, please remember to cancel or reschedule your appointment so that someone else can use the time slot that you no longer need.
If you cannot book an appointment online, family and friends may be able to help – you can book appointments for more than one person from one account. Booking online is the quickest way to make an appointment.
If this is not possible, there is a telephone line for those who cannot book online. Please call 02476 153546 between 8am and 1pm Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays.