Recommended websites for infant feeding and parenting

When I started training to be an NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor in 2002, turning to a website for information wasn’t a common occurrence. My colleagues and I would hand out leaflets rather than links to expectant and new parents.

Now the vast majority of information I share with parents is via evidence-based websites. They’ve become an invaluable tool for breastfeeding support and education.

Of course it’s vitally important to make sure a website is from a reputable, trustworthy, knowledgeable and independent source and not funded by the baby food industry. This isn’t always obvious. For example, the website Allergy U.K. receives funding from baby food manufacturers.

Here are my favourite websites for good, evidence-based information about breastfeeding, infant feeding and parenting:

• First Steps Nutrition for independent information on breastfeeding, infant formula and early childhood nutrition:https://www.firststepsnutrition.org/

• BASISonline for evidence-based information on infant sleep https://www.basisonline.org.uk/ BASIS is run by Prof Helen Ball who is the U.K.’s leading researcher into infant sleep.

• Prof Amy Brown is one of the U.K.’s leading researchers into infant feeding: https://professoramybrown.co.uk/articles

• The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) is where parents can go to for information about breastfeeding and medications:

• Drugs In Breastmilk: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-in-breastmilk/

• Drugs Factsheets: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets/

• Website about breastfeeding and drinking alcohol: https://milk-facts.co.uk/

• Sarah Ockwell-Smith (psychologist) for child sleep and parenting: https://sarahockwell-smith.com/

  For general information on breastfeeding and introducing solids:

• Breastfeeding.Support (by Philippa Pearson-Glaze IBCLC): https://breastfeeding.support/articles/

• Kellymom (by Kelly Bonyata IBCLC): https://kellymom.com/ This was one of the first websites to be created with good quality information on almost all aspects of breastfeeding. Please be aware however that the guidance on treating blocked ducts and mastitis is outdated (see below).

• Feedeatspeak (run by Stacey Zimmels IBCLC and Speech and Language Therapist): https://www.feedeatspeak.co.uk/blog

• Nancy Mohrbacher (IBCLC): https://nancymohrbacher.com/blogs/news

• Emma Pickett (IBCLC): https://www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com/blog?offset=1517648760933

• Kathryn Stagg (IBCLC): https://kathrynstaggibclc.com/blog/

  For Health Care Professionals and for parents who wish to understand about breastfeeding in greater detail:

This website https://gpifn.org.uk/ was set up by two GPs, to advocate for best practice in infant feeding. Please share this with your GP.

And this is for hospital doctors: https://www.hifn.org/

N.B. Neither Kellymom nor GPIFN have updated their guidance on treating blocked ducts and mastitis. We now know that previous advice to apply heat, do vigorous massage and remove as much milk as possible is wrong and causes harm. Here’s information about the new guidance:

https://www.cordeliauys.co.uk/revised-information-on-dealing-with-blocked-ducts-and-mastitis