Beside You

01/04/2026

What's on Beside You this April? 🐰🍫💛

✨ Beside You social drop-ins for new mums ✨

📆 Wednesday 1st, 15th, 22nd and 29th April
⌚️ 9.30am to 11am
📍 Alternate weeks at The Garden Cafe, Elm Court Garden Centre in Gillingham, and Jaspers Community Cafe in Rochester.
💛 Costa Coffee in Rainham on Wednesday 15th April 💛

*These drop-ins run in partnership with Medway Maternity and Medway Community Healthcare

🔸Breastfeeding sessions 🔸

🤰 Hello Baby
These are free antenatal infant feeding information sessions.

🤱 Feeding support sessions
Face-to-face sessions for support with breastfeeding once your baby is here.
Hello Baby and Peer Support sessions run on:
🔸 Mondays in Strood and Hoo
🔸 Partner sessions Monday at Strood and Fridays at Delce
🔸 Thursdays at Deanwood in Rainham
🔸 Fridays at Delce in Rochester or Medway Park

Times and days may vary. To book either a Hello Baby or Peer Support session please email medch.mbn@nhs.net or phone/text 07791 043190.

31/03/2026

🐣 Breastfeeding over Easter? Here are some helpful tips 🐣

Getting together with friends and family can be lovely, but with all the excitement, it’s easy for both you and your baby to get distracted. This sometimes can lead to missed feeds, which can in turn affect your breastmilk supply.

Here are some simple ways to keep your supply steady over the Easter weekend:

🐰 Lots of cuddles and where possible, some skin-to-skin to help keep that oxytocin hormone flowing. Some women even find wearing their baby in a sling helps, plus freeing up their arms so they can do other things too

🐰 Remember to focus on responsive feeding and respond to your baby's feeding cues. Feed your baby as often and for as long as they want

🐰 Sometimes if you're busy and away from your baby, it can be worthwhile letting those around you know what your baby's feeding cues are. Others can help in recognising when your baby is hungry so you can feed accordingly

🐰 Express regularly if you need to. This could be if you know you will be busy and you need to plan ahead to express, or express while feeding one the other side to maintain supply

🐰 Try to avoid using pacifiers or anything which may lead to a missed feeding cue.

For more information on maintaining milk supply 👉 https://bit.ly/4afF54o

30/03/2026

🥦 Introducing solids to babies🍐

Are you thinking about introducing solids (starting to wean) to your little one soon?

Your baby should be introduced to a varied diet, alongside their usual milk.

Little Food Explorers supports you as you introduce your baby to solid foods with delicious recipes and dishes you can try together.

The sessions are free, fun and tailored especially for parents and carers of babies aged up to one year.

Groups run every term in children and family hubs across Medway. Now booking from 21st April onwards.

To find out more about booking onto Little Food Explorers visit Tri for You
or visit 👉 https://bit.ly/4ttkLpX

29/03/2026

💜 Need someone to talk to about your breastfeeding journey?

If you're a mum in Medway, you can book a free breastfeeding peer support session.

✨ These sessions are useful for:

👶 support with feeding your baby
🤱 any positioning and attachment queries
🤝 any questions about breastfeeding

📍 Sessions run across children and family hubs every week

You don’t have to do this alone, we’re here to support you 💜

👉 find your nearest peer support session: https://bit.ly/4adSAl5

27/03/2026

When you thought your bump felt heavy in pregnancy 🙄🤰

Image credit:

26/03/2026

Happy Thursday! 🌞

We’d love to hear your favourite breastfeeding moment.

Was it that very first feed?

The sleepy smiles mid‑feed?

That “I actually did it!” moment when you fed in public for the first time? 🤱💜

Your stories help other parents feel seen. Share your favourite in the comments below 👇

25/03/2026

We see you mama.

We see you up feeding through the night 🌙

We see you wanting to sleep 🥱

We see your struggles, your pain and your beauty 🤱

If you need support with feeding your baby, Beside You is here for you 💜

We have peer support sessions available during the week. You can speak to someone about breastfeeding your baby, and if you need some reassurance you're doing alright that's OK too 💜

You've got this 💪

25/03/2026

Information on NHS Healthy start payments from April below 👇

What happens next with your NHS Healthy Start payments?

📅 March - early April
Some families may see slightly different payment amounts while the new amount is introduced.

📅 From 6 April 2026
The increased weekly payments will apply.
You don’t need to do anything! If you're eligible, the change will happen automatically.

Helping families to buy healthy food for their little ones, 🍎

24/03/2026

Congratulations to all the new January baby's and new parents 💜

24/03/2026

💛 Calling all pregnant parents 💛

Would you like to learn more about how to have a happy and healthy pregnancy? 🤰

BumpClub Medway is a free six-week online program, specially created to support you through a healthy and happy pregnancy 💜

See post below for more information 👇

💛 Why Parents-to-Be Loved BumpClub Medway 💛

We absolutely love hearing how BumpClub is supporting pregnant people across Medway — and this recent feedback truly says it all:
✨ “So nice to have advice and support around eating habits, healthier options, and feeding. As well as advice on how to make healthier choices in pregnancy. The ladies have all been so lovely and supportive and have felt like this was such a safe place with no judgement.” ✨

At BumpClub Medway, we’re all about creating a friendly, supportive space where you can:
🍎 Learn about healthy eating and pregnancy nutrition
🤰 Gain confidence in making positive choices for you and your baby
💛 Connect with others in a safe, judgement-free environment
🍼 Get practical tips for feeding and early parenthood
If you’re looking for a place to feel supported, informed, and encouraged throughout your pregnancy journey — BumpClub is here for you.

👉 Come along and experience it for yourself, book your place now: https://forms.office.com/r/UcBgC7f9XW