Released on: 29 July 2025
Feeding isn't always straight forward, and it can take time to feel confident. Last year nearly a quarter (23%) of parents told us they did not have a positive feeding experience and three in ten (33%) found their feeding experience did not go to plan.
We want all parents to be able to feed their babies in the way that is right for them and feel informed and supported throughout. Without judgement. No exception.
Getting support when you need it is important. That’s why we offer parents support with all types of infant feeding, be that breastfeeding, expressing, using bottles, using formula milk, mixed feeding, introducing solids, stopping breastfeeding or bottle feeding, and variations of all of these – with unbiased, evidence-based information through a variety of services.
We provide parent-centred, evidence-based, and impartial information that empowers parents to make and sustain the decisions that feel right for them and their families.
NCT Baby Cafes
NCT Baby Cafés are free-to-access, community drop-ins, led by a trained NCT
Breastfeeding Counsellor. NCT Baby Cafés play a crucial role in supporting over 7,500 parents every year by providing support, encouragement, and evidence-based information with all types of infant feeding, free of charge. They are also a great way to meet and share experiences with other parents from the local area.
Parents can find their nearest NCT Baby Café by typing their postcode into the Local Feeding Support Finder.
Infant Feeding Peer Support Services
The trained NCT Infant Feeding Peer Supporters provide social, emotional, and practical support to pregnant women and new mums. These Infant Feeding Peer Supporters help all families, regardless of their journey to parenthood or how they decide to feed their baby. From one-to-one and group support in the local community, to sharing resources about feeding your baby, to providing infant feeding support in neonatal and postnatal hospital wards, the Infant Feeding Peer Supporters volunteer across a wide range of projects and commissioned services.
To access our infant feeding peer support services, you can find more information about referrals processes on our website.
Infant Feeding Line
NCT provides support for new parents through their free-to-access NCT Infant Feeding Line, which provides inclusive, evidence-based feeding support to parents, whatever their feeding journey looks like. The support the line provides is not just about feeding but about mental wellbeing, giving reassurance, and helping parents feel prepared.
The line is open every day from 8am to midnight, including bank holidays. No matter the question, no matter the age of the child - from newborn to toddler, NCT’s Infant Feeding Line ensures that no one has to face feeding challenges alone.
Parents can reach the NCT Infant Feeding Line and speak to a trained breastfeeding counsellor via 0300 330 0700 (option 1). The line is open from 8am to midnight 365 days per year and support is offered free-of-charge.
NCT Antenatal
NCT Antenatal, NCT New Baby and NCT Introduction to Solids courses all include content on infant feeding, approaching topics in ways that are applicable however parents are feeding their child, with specific evidence-based information on breastfeeding, bottle feeding, mixed or combination feeding, and using formula. NCT Antenatal courses offer dedicated feeding content covering how babies feed and behave, getting started, signs that feeding is going well and where to get support. However parents feed their babies, we want them to feel prepared and able to access support.
Parents can find their nearest NCT antenatal class here.
