Help and advice 

If you need help with breastfeeding our branch has several breastfeeding counsellors. Breastfeeding counsellors are members who have been specially trained by the NCT to offer help, information and support, free of charge to anyone who contacts them. All counsellors are mothers who have breastfed their own babies. They are aware of the help and support that mothers may need when breastfeeding. Your local contact is Angela Sandey: tel: 01227 779310

You can also call the NCT Breastfeeding Line: 0300 330 0771

Breast Feeding Support Groups

Breastfeeding support groups are mostly run by local mums who have been trained to give support and advice on breastfeeding. Much more relaxed than a medical setting and you do not have to have a problem to go there. Toys are usually available to distract older children, and refreshments are normally available. There are several groups run in the Canterbury and Thanet area, one for every weekday in general: we hope to add this information shortly, but do contact us if you want to find out more in the meantime!

The NCT supports the Breastfeeding group in Whitstable at Joy Lane Children's Centre. This group runs every Monday (except for Bank Holidays) from 12.30 - 2.30. The NCT breastfeeding counsellor (Angela Sandey) is at this group most weeks, and you can borrow books from the NCT library here. It's a very sociable group: older children are welcome too, and there are usually some toddlers running around. A bit of lunch is provided for the mums by the volunteers and funded by the Children's Centre. There are Peer supported mums to help you, but mainly it is a social group, a chance for mums to talk about their baby and breastfeeding.

Breastpump hire

Breast pumps are available to hire for both NCT members and non-members. Contact Angela, our Breastfeeding Counsellor, on 01227 779310 for more information.

Convenient Places to Breastfeed

Mothers should be able to breastfeed anywhere but the following places make mothers feel welcome:

Asda * - Sturry Road, Canterbury
BHS - Marlowe Arcade, Rose Lane, Canterbury
C&H Fabrics Ltd - 2 St Georges St, Canterbury
Cafe Belge - 89-90 St Dunstans St, Canterbury
Debenhams - The Crypt Cafe, Main Building, Guildhall St, Canterbury
Fenwick Ltd - St Georges Lane, Canterbury
Marks & Spencers * - Cafe Revive, 4 St Georges St, Canterbury
McDonalds - 18 St Geogres St, Canterbury
Pizza Express - 5 Best Lane, Canterbury
Morrisons - Ten Pech Road, Wincheap, Canterbury
Starbucks - 36-37 Burgate, Canterbury
The Goods Shed Restaurant - Station Rd West, Canterbury
Castle Tea Rooms - Whitstable Castle, Tower Hill, Whitstable
Wall Tavern - 82 Middle Wall, Whitstable
Chives Cafe - The Horsebridge Centre, 11 Horsebridge Road, Whitstable
The Pearsons Arms -Sea Wall, Whitstable
             *There are also baby changing facilities that can be used for breast feeding*

The following places do not have cafes but do have breastfeeding rooms:

Boots - 12 Gravel Walk, Whitefriars Shopping Centre, Canterbury
Mothercare World - Unit C, Wincheap Retail Park, Wincheap, Canterbury