National 24-hour breastfeeding helpline extended for another year

A free national helpline service to support breastfeeding mothers has been extended for the financial year 2025/26 and will continue to be open 24 hours a day, the government has announced.

Public health and prevention minister Ashley Dalton said the extension came as part of the government’s commitment to ensure ‘more women get the support they need’.

The UK National Breastfeeding Helpline operates 24 hours day, every day of the year, via telephone and social media and is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care.

Related Article: Consultation proposes widening physiotherapist prescribing powers 

Run by the Breastfeeding Network and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers and established in 2008, those accessing the helpline are given support from ‘trained peer supporters’ who provide practical information and support on breastfeeding.

In 2024/25, a pilot saw the service run through the night – from 9.30pm to 9.30am. Given its popularity, the government has decided to continue the service on a 24-hour basis through the 2025/26 financial year.

Ms Dalton said: ‘Supporting women and families is a top priority for this government, which is why I am so pleased to announce the extension of the National Breastfeeding Helpline.

‘Many parents will know the struggle of being up in the middle of the night, desperately trying anything to get your baby to feed. It can be incredibly overwhelming and deeply lonely.

‘We are determined to make sure more women get the support they need through this vital 24/7 helpline.’

Related Article: South of England hotspot for Lyme disease infection

Data from The Breastfeeding Network suggests almost nine in 10 (89%) of those calling the helpline ‘are more confident to continuing breastfeeding’ after doing so.

Catherine Hine, chief executive of The Breastfeeding Network said: ‘The National Breastfeeding Helpline is a vital source of infant feeding support, run by the Breastfeeding Network and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, and trusted by tens of thousands of families every year.

‘We’re really excited that shifting to a 24-hour service has been so popular and that our great team are being contacted by women and families throughout the UK and with a wide variety of backgrounds and infant feeding experiences.’

The extension comes as the government says it is undertaking a ‘complete reform’ of family services.

Related Article: NICE recommends better support for weight-loss patients after treatment

This includes the rollout of up to 1,000 new Best Start Family Hubs across every local authority – where parents can access joined-up early help on ‘everything from breastfeeding to mental health and housing’.

Some £126m is being given in government funding during 2025/26 to also support its Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, which helps families with advice and support services including infant feeding, parenting classes and perinatal mental health support.