World Breastfeeding Week 2026: Supporting breastfeeding journeys in neonatal care
As World Breastfeeding Week 2026 comes to a close, we’re celebrating the incredible mums and babies on the Neonatal Unit, the staff who support them, and a very special milestone achieved this summer.
Breastfeeding can feel like a winding road, especially when your baby starts their life in neonatal care. Every family’s journey is different, and whether a mum is breastfeeding, expressing milk or navigating feeding for the first time, the team on the Unit is there to offer support and answer questions along the way.
For babies receiving neonatal care, breast milk can play a particularly important role. Lisa, Infant Feeding Lead on the Unit, explains:
“For babies receiving neonatal care, breast milk is much more than nutrition. It provides antibodies that help protect against infection, supports brain development, aids digestion and reduces the risk of serious conditions.
“Every single drop of breast milk is valuable and can make a difference. Whether expressing for your baby or breastfeeding, you are giving your baby milk that has been tailor made especially for them.”
Breastfeeding can look different when a baby is born premature or sick. If a baby isn’t yet ready or able to feed orally, mums can express their breast milk and it can be given to their baby through a feeding tube. Breast milk can also be used for mouth care. Its antibacterial properties can help protect the mouth and reduce the risk of infection, and it is safe to use for mouth care on even the most premature babies.
Marking World Breastfeeding Week on the Unit
Lisa and the team decorated the Unit and shared information with families about breastfeeding and expressing.
They’ve also been taking a look back at just how far breastfeeding support has come, with a model of the first ever hospital-grade breast pump, developed in 1942, on display.
More than 80 years ago, Swedish engineer Einar Egnell made it his life’s work to help breastfeeding mothers. After years of research, he created the first comfortable and effective breast pump that closely mimics the sucking rhythm of nursing infants. In the process, Egnell created the vacuum and cycling standards that today’s lactation professional use to judge breast pump quality.
Last summer, thanks to the generosity and fundraising efforts of our supporters, Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust was able to donate eight new Medela breast pumps to Transitional Care.
A year on, they continue to make a real difference to mums and babies.
Lisa said: “It has made the transition from the Neonatal Unit to Transitional Care smoother for many mums, as they are already familiar with the pumps and do not need to learn how to use a different machine.
“Thank you so much to the charity for enabling us to provide all mums with access to a pump for the duration of their stay.”
A special milestone for the Unit
This World Breastfeeding Week, there’s something particularly special to celebrate.
100% of babies on the Unit in July received breast milk at some point during their neonatal journey.
It is the first time the Unit has seen all babies receive breast milk within the first 48 hours, within the first 14 days, and at the point of discharge.
It’s a wonderful milestone for the Unit and reflects the hard work of mums expressing and breastfeeding in circumstances that can be challenging, alongside the support provided by Lisa and the wider neonatal team.
For parents currently on the Unit, or those preparing for a neonatal stay, please remember that it’s OK to ask for help. Every feeding journey is unique, and the team is there to support you.
Breastfeeding support and information
Bliss has several breastfeeding resources specifically tailored to parents of babies who are premature or sick.
For general breastfeeding and infant feeding support in Kent, visit: https://www.kent.gov.uk/infantfeeding
As World Breastfeeding Week comes to an end, we’d like to say a huge well done to all the mums expressing or breastfeeding for their babies, and to the neonatal team supporting them along the way. 💚💛
If you are currently in the NICU or have recently arrived home, please visit our information and resources page for support. If you are inspired to raise money for the charity, we’d love to hear from you.
