Early Years Support in Redcar and Cleveland

The HENRY Preparation for Parenthood group programme gives you trusted, practical information to help you through pregnancy and get ready for life with your new baby. It is a great way to learn, ask questions, and meet other parents-to-be in a relaxed and supportive setting.

The sessions are open to all expectant parents and include helpful guidance on feeding your baby and giving them the best possible start in life.

To book your place, call 01642 444011 or email 0-19HVSNservice@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

If you are having any difficulties with breastfeeding, it’s important to get help as soon as possible.

You can speak to your midwife, health visitor, or the infant feeding team – they are there to support you.

The NHS website also has lots of useful information about common breastfeeding problems and what you can do to manage them.

You’re not alone, and support is always available to help you and your baby.

Visit the NHS website for more information.

If you need advice during pregnancy or after your baby is born, you can call the Maternity Advice Line on 01609 763093.

Support and information about breastfeeding is also available, and you can arrange a visit to the Friarage Maternity Centre if you would like face-to-face help with feeding.

You can also find helpful videos about breastfeeding on the South Tees NHS website.

If you need non-urgent support with feeding your baby, you can email us at stees.infantfeedingteam@nhs.net

As part of the email, please include:

• your name

• your contact details

• a brief message about the support you need

A member of the team will get back to you as soon as they can.

Please note, emails are only checked during regular working hours (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).

The Redcar and Cleveland Infant Feeding Team includes Health Visitors and nurses who have had extra training to support parents with breastfeeding and feeding their babies.

Some team members are IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants), which means they are specially qualified to help families with more complex feeding challenges.

You can contact the team by calling: 01642 444011

Our Breast Friends groups are friendly, social meet-ups for breastfeeding mums (and babies) across the borough. These relaxed sessions are a great way to meet other local families, enjoy some fun activities, and get support from our trained staff.

You are welcome to come along for a chat, ask questions, or just spend time with others who understand your journey. If you are pregnant and planning to breastfeed, you are very welcome to join us too!

When and where?

Our Breast Friends groups take place in different locations across the area. Please contact your local Family Hub for the most up-to-date times and venues.

• Ormesby Family Hub – Monday 1:30pm to 3pm

• Skelton Family Hub – Wednesday 9:30am to 11am

• Guisborough Family Hub – Wednesday 1:30pm to 3pm

• Dormanstown Family Hub – Friday 9:30am to 11pm

Please visit the Breastfeeding Support page on the Family Hubs Facebook page for the most up-to-date information on our Breast Friends group’s days/times. 

Breastfeeding drop ins

• Redcar Coast Family Hub – Wednesday 11:30am to 1pm

• Grangetown Family Hubs – Tuesday 1pm to 2pm

The free Redcar and Cleveland Family Hub app is a quick and easy way to find support, services, and activities for families in your local area – all in one place.

You can use the app to:

• find out what’s on at your local Family Hub

• get advice on things like parenting, feeding, sleep, and school readiness

• access support from health, education, and wellbeing services

• get updates and notifications about events near you

Whether you are pregnant, a new parent, or have older children, the app helps you stay connected and informed.

To download the app, visit the Apple App store (for iPhones).

To download the app, visit the Google Play store (for Androids).

If you have questions about breastfeeding or just need someone to talk to, the National Breastfeeding Helpline is here for you.

You can speak to a trained volunteer who understands what you’re going through and can offer friendly, non-judgemental support.

The helpline is free to call on 0300 100 0212

The helpline is open every day from 9.30am to 9.30pm and is available in multiple languages.

The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM) offers free support to parents through trained breastfeeding counsellors.

They also run a National Breastfeeding Helpline (in partnership with the Breastfeeding Network and provide easy-to-read resources and factsheets about common breastfeeding questions and challenges.

For more information, visit the ABM website.

The NCT Infant Feeding Line is a free helpline ran by the National Childbirth Trust (NCT). It offers practical and emotional support for anyone who has questions or concerns about breastfeeding, bottle feeding, expressing, or mixed feeding.

For more information, visit the NCT Breastfeeding website.

Or call the free helpline (option 1) on 0300 330 0700

The line is open every day from 8am to midnight, including bank holidays.

We encourage everyone to try breastfeeding if they can, but we know that every family is different. If you choose to bottle feed, we are here to support you too.

You can still build a strong, loving bond with your baby by:

• using skin-to-skin contact

• feeding in response to your baby’s hunger cues

• holding your baby close during feeds

For advice on how to prepare formula safely and tips to help you get off to a good start with bottle feeding visit the Unicef Website.