Following the merger, the NCT has launched a new initiative called the Baby Cafe Local, which will differ from the original network because it will not require an NHS employee to run the sessions.
Baby Cafe Local aims to provide breastfeeding information in a relaxed environment where mothers can talk and learn about breastfeeding from qualified practitioners and each other.
On Friday, the first two Baby Cafe Local groups opened their doors to mothers in Colburn, North Yorkshire, and Hertsmere, Hertfordshire.
The first Baby Cafe was launched in 2000, when lactation consultants Catherine Pardoe and Julie Williams set up and ran a drop-in centre for breastfeeding mothers in West Sussex within the local NHS Trust, with funding from the Department of Health. After receiving many enquiries from health professionals and mothers in other areas of the country they set up the Baby Cafe Professionals' Information Pack, which gave a step-by-step guide to applying for, setting up, running and evaluating a Baby Cafe drop-in centre.
Belinda Phipps, chief executive of the NCT, said a Baby Cafe Local is planned for every community across the UK.
'Joining with the Baby Cafe is a fantastic opportunity,' she said. 'Both charities share the same desire to help mums, since we know that many struggle to get the support they need and stop breastfeeding before they want to.'
Bernadine Burnell, chair of trustees at the Baby Cafe, said, 'We're delighted to be able to join together with NCT and embed Baby Cafe Local into the mainstream service.'
Baby Cafe Local will be funded by health and children's services and the sessions will be hosted by breastfeeding counsellors. It aims to provide a lower-cost support service for mothers that does not require help from staff in maternity and children's services.
