Feeding babies

NCT’s Baby Feeding Policy set out NCT’s beliefs and principles, including the belief that parents should have every opportunity for positive feeding experiences.

NCT values and approaches to infant feeding support: a message framework is for NCT volunteers, practitioners and staff. It answers common questions about NCT’s role in providing information, services, mutual support and undertaking lobbying work relating to infant feeding.

NCT report: ‘Supporting Decisions and Protecting Breastfeeding’ . This impact review of NCT’s baby feeding work between 2000-2010 is currently still in production and will become available later in the year.  If you do would like to be alerted via email when the report is uploaded onto the site please send an email to the Research Assistant at research@nct.org.uk  ‘Impact Review Alert Request’ in the subject line (NB: NCT staff and workers will be routinely alerted)

In the UK a majority of mothers plan to breastfeed and a significant minority (about a quarter) use formula milk from the start.  

NCT is mother-focused when it comes to feeding decisions, believing that parents are motivated to give their babies the best start to life, sometimes in difficult circumstances, and that positive feeding experiences are one important aspect of a good start. 

NCT prioritises the emotional well-being and autonomy of individual mothers when it comes to feeding, regardless of feeding method.

In this section you will find related documents that support and inform parents about early feeding and introducing solids, as well as evidence of health outcomes and statistics relating to feeding babies. Evidence for NCT's breastfeeding services can be downloaded here.