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Feeding your baby and starting solids


How you feed your baby can give them the best possible start in life. We're here to support you with information, practical help and advice on ways to make feeding your baby more affordable too.

Feeding your baby - milk

Breastfeeding gives your baby the best start in life and has health benefits for baby and can help you build close relationships with your baby. In Durham we have the UNICEF Baby Friendly Award, which means we help raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding with parents. Read more about Breastfeeding, how it benefits you and your baby and the support you can get through your Family Hub - Find out what's on at your nearest Family Hub

We are here to help you learn how to recognise when your baby needs food and comfort. We can support you to breastfeed, provide advice on what to do if you are struggling to breastfeed and help you to understand other options for feeding your baby (expressing breast milk/infant formula).

Starting solids

Most babies can start their first tastes of food from about six months old, this is called weaning. Our Family Hubs (Find out what's on at your nearest Family Hub) have courses and information with the latest tips on what to safely start your little ones off with, from first tastes to first dinners. We've got healthy recipes the whole family can enjoy and ideas to get even the fussiest of toddlers to eat well.

Infant Feeding Support Groups

The infant feeding support team can help you with all aspects of feeding your baby, whether you are breastfeeding, bottle feeding or doing a mixture of both, right through to supporting you with breastfeeding if you are returning to work, and getting your baby started on solid foods. Visit Infant feeding support groups to find out more.

If you get certain benefits, then you might be able to get Healthy Start vouchers. These are free from the government and you can use them every week to buy milk, fruit, vegetables and pulses (fresh, frozen or tinned), and formula milk. You can also get free vitamins for you and your baby.

Find out how to get vouchers at Healthy Start.

Courses

Useful links

If you just want some great tips online, take a look at these links and videos:



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