Parents in Mind St Helens

05/12/2025

With Christmas celebrations just around the corner, you may be wondering whether it’s okay to have an alcoholic drink while breastfeeding 🥂

There’s often a lot of discussion around this, so today we’re sharing some key points to break it down clearly:

• Having occasional, small amounts of alcohol while breastfeeding is generally considered fine (for example, a glass of wine with a meal or a couple of drinks socially).

•You should not drink regularly or heavily (e.g. binge drinking) without thinking about how to reduce your baby’s exposure.

• If you plan to drink heavily, make sure your baby is cared for by a sober, responsible adult.

• Never share a bed or sofa with your baby if you’ve had any alcohol.

• Anyone who’s been drinking should avoid situations where they could fall asleep with a baby—whether that’s on a bed, chair, or sofa.

• You don’t need to “pump and dump” to remove alcohol from your milk. As your blood alcohol level drops, the amount in your milk drops too.

• You may want to express for comfort to avoid engorgement when missing feeds.

• If you want to minimise your baby’s exposure to alcohol, you can avoid feeding for 2–3 hours after drinking.

Find out more in our factsheet:
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/alcohol/

✨Having a drink this Christmas?✨
Thinking ahead can help you enjoy the holidays safely - plan your celebrations so you can enjoy a drink while making sure your baby is cared for.

[ID: Alcohol and Breastfeeding. Images of two glasses of wine. www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets.]

03/12/2025

03/12/2025

🎄 Christmas-itis (Mastitis) - What to Look Out For 🎄

The festive season can be joyful… but it can also throw feeding out of sync.
Between rushing around, family visits, disrupted naps and seasonal bugs, some parents notice early signs of mastitis - often nicknamed “Christmas-itis.”

Mastitis is caused by inflammation, and it can come on quickly.
You might notice:

🔸 A tender, sore or hot area on the breast
🔸 Flu-like aches or chills
🔸 Feeling run down
🔸 A lump or blocked area that isn’t easing with feeding or pumping

Most cases improve with prompt, effective treatment.
Our Infant Feeding Team is here to support you - call us on 07919 305 174.

When we’re closed, Anya is available 24/7 with clear, evidence-based guidance to help you manage symptoms and know when to seek medical advice.

📱 In Anya you’ll find the latest information, including:

✨ How to manage inflammation
✨ What actually helps (and what doesn’t)
✨ When to rest, feed, or pump
✨ When to seek medical advice
✨ Webinars, articles and animations to guide you step by step

28/11/2025

Your feelings are valid 💚

We don’t talk about postpartum anxiety enough. 💔
Everyone knows about postpartum depression, but so many moms are silently struggling with the constant worry, the racing thoughts, the feeling like something bad is always about to happen.

It’s checking if your baby is breathing over and over.
It’s never being able to relax, even when they’re sleeping.
It’s feeling on edge, overwhelmed, and scared… for reasons you can’t explain.
It’s intrusive thoughts you’re ashamed to say out loud.
It’s smiling on the outside while your mind is spiraling.

Postpartum anxiety is real.
It’s common.
And it deserves the same awareness and support as PPD. ❤️

If you’re struggling, you’re not “dramatic,” you’re not “overprotective,” and you’re definitely not alone.
Your feelings are valid.

27/11/2025

26/11/2025

This is the production that was shared in our Monday group this week ☃️

26/11/2025

25/11/2025

Today Kelly was invited to attend the Volunteer Recognition Lunch for being a part of the Families with Voices Forum within the Family Hubs.
Here, Kelly attends groups that discuss what happens within the Family Hubs. She is able to give feedback, passed on from parents within our groups and in turn can then use the information discussed to circle back to the parents making the signposting/connection journey more informative.

25/11/2025

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

25/11/2025

This week we are thinking about dummies!

22/11/2025

Our annual Santa Tour is nearly here. It is one of our favourite things we do as a club and we are grateful for the support of many local community groups who help us bring Santa to families across the area. 🎄

Route dates for 2025:

Sun 30 Nov Newton High Street
Mon 1 Dec Lowton, Braithwaite Rd
Tue 2 Dec Sanderling Drive, Lay by
Wed 3 Dec Fairbrother Estate, Belvedere Rd
Thur 4 Dec Golborne, Barns Lane
Fri 5 Dec Tesco Earlestown and Earlestown Route
Sat 6 and Sun 7 Dec Costco Haydock
Mon 8 Dec Common Rd, St Patricks
Tue 9 Dec Mesnes Park Carol Service
Wed 10 Dec Vista Rd
Thur 11 Dec Burtonwood, Chaple House Pub
Fri 12 Dec Vulcan, Stephenson Rd, Aldi
Sat 13 and Sun 14 Dec Cancello Meet Santa
Mon 15 Dec Lowton, Hare and Hounds
Tue 16 Dec Wargrave, ECG
Wed 17 Dec Mill Ln, Mill Stone
Thur 18 Dec High St, Moores Farm
Fri 19 Dec Trees Estate, Mesnes Park
Sat 20 and Sun 21 Dec Tesco Haydock
Tue 23 and Wed 24 Dec Tree Tops