Feeding your baby breastmilk

Breastfeeding or feeding breastmilk to any baby can be challenging, but particularly when your baby is born unable to swallow. Anxiety and worry around whether you are doing the best thing for your baby and you is expected, especially in the early days, and it can be normal to experience feelings of pressure, helplessness, grief, loss, jealousy, anger and frustration surrounding the reality of your new feeding journey. Many sources of support are available to help you during this time including:

• Your midwifery team
• Your NICU team
• Your health visitor
• Becoming a TOFS member – gives you the opportunity to talk to other parents as well as giving you access to a range of literature, the ‘CHEW’ newsletter and the members only areas on our website
• TOFS Local Contacts (TLCs) – we operate a network of volunteers who are parents of OA/TOF children, who are available to offer support. You can book a TLC call here
• TOFS UK Facebook group – a closed group for parents/carers of OA/TOF children to openly discuss experiences and ask questions of one another
• The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM) – a group of trained volunteers who support breastfeeding mothers and their families. You can call them on 08444 122 949
• The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) – a helpline, online chat service, and information and support for families who are breastfeeding. You can call them on 0300 100 0212
• La Leche League GB (LLLGB) – a helpline service, and trained breastfeeding counsellors who can provide local and face-to-face support. You can call them on 0845 120 2918
• Breastfeeding the Brave – Supporting breastfed medically complex infants and children
• Your GP

We hope that this guide provides information which will support you and your baby on your feeding breastmilk journey, whatever that may look like. Remember, however you feed your little person, you are amazing.