Blog

World Breastfeeding Week feels like exactly the right moment to talk about something I genuinely care about, what breastfeeding support should actually look like for families here in Jersey, and who is best placed to provide it.

Because not all breastfeeding support is the same. And for new mums navigating the early days with a baby who won't latch, or a body that isn't cooperating, or a feeding journey that isn't going the way they imagined  knowing who to turn to and what to expect from them really matters.

The Foundation, Family Nursing and community services.

Jersey is fortunate to have a strong foundation of breastfeeding support through Family Nursing and Community Services. Your midwife is your first point of contact during pregnancy and in the early postnatal days, and your Health Visitor takes over as your baby grows. Both are trained to provide evidence-based breastfeeding support, and both play a central role in helping families get feeding established.

Family Nursing and Home Care also provide invaluable breastfeeding support across the island  and if you haven't already come across them, they're well worth knowing about. Their team of specialist infant feeding professionals work hard to help Jersey families overcome challenges and build confidence in those early weeks.

Jersey is also working towards UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation  a gold standard in infant feeding care that ensures families receive consistent, evidence-based information and support at every point of contact with health services.

These are the people who should be your first port of call and I say that as someone who refers back to midwives, GPs and Health Visitors regularly and without hesitation.

Specialist support, another layer available to Jersey families

Alongside these fantastic services, Jersey families also have access to private specialist support  and for some babies, having someone who can look at both the feeding and the physical picture together makes a real difference.

I'm a McTimoney Chiropractor and Breastfeeding Coach and the combination of those two roles is what sets what I offer apart. Many feeding difficulties have a physical root. A baby who can't turn their head comfortably to both sides, who arches away from the breast, who comes on and off repeatedly, or who displays signs of tension lying curved like a banana, always looking to one side, unsettled during and after feeds  may be feeding poorly not because of technique, but because their body is physically uncomfortable.

Using gentle a gentle chiropractic technique, I can assess and treat postural and fascial restrictions in babies that may be impacting their ability to latch, feed comfortably, and settle. This is extremely light touch work nothing is clicked or manipulated and many parents notice a difference within a session or two.

I'm not here to replace your midwife or Health Visitor. I'm here to work alongside them and I refer back to GPs, midwives and Health Visitors whenever it's appropriate to do so. Good support for breastfeeding families is a team effort, and knowing when to refer is as important as knowing what you can offer.

What good support should always include

Whoever you turn to for breastfeeding support, there are some things it should always include:

It should be evidence-based. Breastfeeding guidance has evolved significantly in recent years —on topics like mastitis management, tongue tie assessment, and responsive feeding. Anyone supporting you should be working from current evidence, not outdated advice.

It should be without judgement. Your feeding journey is yours. Whether you're exclusively breastfeeding, combination feeding, moving to bottle, or anywhere in between good support meets you where you are and helps you achieve your goals, not someone else's.

It should be coordinated. The best outcomes happen when the people supporting you are communicating well and referring appropriately. A good breastfeeding coach or chiropractor should always know when to refer back to a GP or midwife and should do so without hesitation.

It should be provided by someone qualified to provide it. This matters. Breastfeeding support is increasingly offered by a wide range of people some of whom have extensive training and professional regulation behind them, and some of whom do not. As a registered chiropractor and trained breastfeeding coach, I practise within a regulated framework that includes professional accountability, ongoing CPD, and clear scope of practice. When you work with me, you know exactly what you're getting.

Support at work

It's also worth knowing that Jersey's employment legislation gives breastfeeding parents the right to paid breaks for breastfeeding or expressing milk for up to 52 weeks after birth, and the right to request flexible working arrangements. Employers are encouraged to provide private facilities for expressing and storing milk  and if you need support navigating those conversations with your employer, getting the right advice early makes a real difference.

Finding the right support for you in Jersey

Jersey has a genuinely strong network of breastfeeding support and I'm proud to be part of it. If you're pregnant and want to prepare, struggling in the early days, dealing with a baby who seems tense or uncomfortable, or weeks in and wondering if things can get better there is support here for you.

If you'd like to find out whether I can help, get in touch. I offer home visits across Jersey, antenatal Power Hour sessions, clinic appointments, and remote consultations. I'll always be honest about whether what I offer is the right fit for your situation and if it isn't, I'll point you in the right direction.

Because that's what good support looks like! Message me if you are looking for support or help on your breastfeeding journey!

‍

‍

‍