Breastfeeding Support in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

It’s easy to think that breastfeeding is something that comes naturally to us, while this can be the case, for many people it’s a learning process.

In reality most of us aren’t around breastfeeding, we don’t see it in our day to day life. The knowledge isn’t passed on to us the way it was many generations ago. And some of what is passed on is out of date and not based on research.

Then there’s the expectations of others to perhaps give a bottle, or the pressure and guilt we put on ourselves to do things a certain way.

The one thing I know for certain is that one of the key aspects of breastfeeding success is to have support, luckily we have plenty of support in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Local Support Options

A free Facebook group with lots of local mums and parents who have breastfed and have lots of tips and support to give.

In person support groups run by peer supporters, counsellors or lactation consultants. A great place to go in pregnancy and the once baby is here.

[Coming Soon] We have some wonderful options locally, a list of details is coming soon.

Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Breastfeeding Groups

Aberdeen – Airyhall – The NCT Baby Cafe runs every Tuesday during term time at Airyhall Community Centre – 1-3pm. Breastfeeding support is available at the group, though you don’t need a breastfeeding problem or even to be breastfeeding to come along.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NCTAberdeenBFDropIn/
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Aberdeen – Woodend – Wednesday 10:30 – 11:30, at Costa Coffee, Tesco Woodend, Aberdeen. Drop in Breastfeeding Group.
Contact Gail, [email protected] or phone 07773 069 052
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Banchory – Fortnightly on Fridays 2-4pm, Deeside Rubgy Club, Woodend Playing Firled, AB31 5QA.
Spaces are limited so must be booked, join the facebook group linked below or email [email protected] to book a space.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1434692986748791
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Ellon – Mondays 1.30 – 3.00pm, Ellon Library
We’re here with a warm welcome, a lovely cuppa (and biscuits!) and for a good old natter in a comfortable environment (a lot of our mums comment that coming along to the group also helps to build their confidence in feeding in public). Whether you are experiencing challenges or not, or just want to have a cuppa and a catch up with other breastfeeding families, we’d love you to join us.
We would encourage expectant mums to pop along to the group too. Older siblings are welcome – we’ve a fab selection of toys. It’s also common for mums to bring their own mums.
On the last Friday of the month we meet for a walk instead. 1.30pm at the Market Street car park (the one next to river).
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BoobsBanterBreastfeeding/
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Inverurie – Tuesdays – We meet in a private room at Skyline Trampoline Park 1:30-2:30pm.
You can order hot drinks & treats from the cafe (they will deliver to our private room).
All welcome – bumps, siblings, partners, friends, family members & others in your support network.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/inveruriebreastfeeding
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Laurencekirk – Friday in Mearns Community Library, 11-12.
There’s no charge to attend, and no need to book a slot – just drop in for a cuppa, snacks and support. You don’t need to be having any problems to attend, and we’re not just for the newborn stage – we just love to chat!
https://www.facebook.com/laurencekirkbreastfeedingsupport…
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Westhill – Last Wednesday of every month, 2-3pm, Skene Medical Group, Discovery Drive.
Whether you are pregnant, breastfeeding or expressing, drop in between 2pm and 3pm for a chat. You do not need to have questions to attend, but NHS Breastfeeding Peer Supporters are available. A great way to grow your confidence feeding out and about and make new friends.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1105662412857007/

Why Attend a Breastfeeding Group

I think this is really important to share, breastfeeding group aren’t just for when you’re really struggling.

Here are some reasons to attend a group:

 

  • You’re pregnant and thinking about breastfeeding, this is good because seeing other breastfeeding helps you understand what it looks like for different people, AND it means when your wee one is here you know where you’re going and what to expect at the group.
  • You’ve had your wee one but are nervous about feeding them in public, this is a great way to get started amongst a friendly group.
  • Things are going fine but you don’t have a lot of friends or family who breastfeed and want to meet other who do.

Preparing to Breastfeed

I once had an interesting conversation with a midwife locally, she told me that most people prepare for birth, the do the NHS class, the listen to podcasts, take hypnobirthing classes and research each element of birth. But they don’t put the same effort into breastfeeding, they’re not informed when it comes to feeding baby.

I was initially shocked, in an idea world we would be supported through pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding through NHS classes and continuity of care, but it’s just not the reality.

I think preparing for breastfeeding is almost as important as preparing for birth. Luckily we have a couple of options locally.

SONA One to One Breastfeeding Class

A personalised breastfeeding course covering all the essential you need to do. Online options, as well as in person for those in Chapelton and Newtonhill.

This is similar to the way I teach hypnobirthing: understand how your body works and then learn ways to work with it.

See Available Dates

Breastfeeding Scotland – Preparing to Feed Baby

Breastfeeding Scotland run Preparing to Feed Your Baby Workshops in person occasionally. These are run by lactation consultant, check their Facebook page for upcoming sessions.

Find out more

Local Breastfeeding Stories

I’m sure you’ve heard of birth stories, and may even browsed through our birth story library, but I thought it would also be nice to have a breastfeeding story library so we could share our experiences and others could learn from them. [To share your breastfeeding or birth story head over to the contact me page.]