Thousands of new mothers and babies are set to benefit from expanded breastfeeding support services, as the government announces round-the-clock assistance through the National
Breastfeeding Helpline.
With an investment of £18.5 million this year through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, the government is ensuring that parents can access free, expert breastfeeding support at any time—day or night. This move recognises the reality that feeding challenges can happen around the clock, and no parent should feel alone in seeking help.
The helpline’s expansion is part of a broader government initiative to give every child the best start in life, as outlined in the Plan for Change. This includes a comprehensive overhaul of family services, with up to 1,000 new Best Start Family Hubs being established across the country. These hubs will offer parents seamless access to vital services, including breastfeeding advice, mental health support, and housing assistance.
In total, the government is allocating £126 million in 2025-2026 to the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, which also provides parenting classes, perinatal mental health support, and more.
Public Health and Prevention Minister Ashley 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.
And through our Plan for Change, we’re going further to ensure every child gets the best start in life. We’ve provided extra funding for local infant feeding services through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, where parents can access drop-in sessions for practical and emotional support”.
Minister for Children and Families, Janet Daby, said:
“Ensuring families have the support they need from day one is central to delivering our Plan for Change and giving every child the best start in life.
We know those first days and weeks can be overwhelming, and services like the National Breastfeeding Helpline are there to give parents reassurance and expert help whenever they need it most.
And this is just one part of a much bigger effort to transform how families are supported – with new Best Start Family Hubs opening in every local area across the country over the coming years, taking the best of Family Hubs and honouring the proud legacy of Sure Start to give parents the support they deserve in the earliest years of their children’s lives”.
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.
While some callers seek help for a wider range of infant feeding challenges, we know that almost nine in ten (89%) of callers are more confident to continue breastfeeding after contacting the helpline. Many women also call to talk about combination feeding, introducing solids, stopping breastfeeding and formula feeding.
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 government’s latest support measures are part of a wider plan to improve care for women and families. This includes a national investigation into maternity and neonatal services, aiming to address systemic issues and enhance care and safety across the sector.
Background
The National Breastfeeding Helpline is a free, non-judgemental service funded by the Department of Health and Social Care and run by trained peer supporters. Available 24 hours a day, every day of the year via phone and social media, the helpline offers practical advice on all aspects of infant feeding.
Evidence consistently shows that breastfeeding benefits both mothers and babies. However, every family deserves the support to make informed choices that suit their needs. The extended helpline is a key resource in helping families overcome feeding challenges and achieve their feeding goals.
In addition to the helpline, £18.5 million is being invested in local infant feeding services through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme in 2025-26, supporting families across 75 local authorities in England. This funding will bolster existing services and introduce new ways for families to access breastfeeding support in their communities.
The Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, with a total £126 million investment, brings together services such as parenting support, health visiting, and early childhood development to provide joined-up care during a child’s critical first 1,001 days.
Parents can also find a wealth of online resources on topics ranging from healthy pregnancy to infant feeding through Start for Life.
This announcement reflects the government’s commitment to building the healthiest generation of children ever, in line with the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change. Alongside investments in family services, efforts are also being made to improve maternity care, strengthen health visiting, increase vaccination uptake, and tackle childhood tooth decay.