Beside You

05/06/2026

When they say breastmilk is just like magic 💫

Anyone else?

Image credit: The Breastmilk Queen - Amy McGlade

04/06/2026

Clare has been supporting families across Medway for over 6 years now.

"My work as a volunteer peer supporter with Beside You gives me the opportunity to contribute to meeting the needs of the families who come to us for support.

It gives me such a sense of fulfilment to be able to empower them and to dispel the many myths and misconceptions in our society that can be so detrimental to parenthood.

I have loved every aspect of volunteering from the training, meeting and shadowing my wonderful colleagues, to becoming a valuable member of a wider team. At the end of the day knowing that I have made a positive difference to another person's life is incredibly rewarding. If you are thinking of becoming a volunteer please do try it!"

Thank you Clare, and to all of our volunteers ❤️

Have you met one of our wonderful volunteers? Let us know in the comments below 👇

03/06/2026

We love sharing stories from our peer supporters, who work so hard to support families to breastfeed.

This morning, as part of Volunteers Week, we hear from Bex, one of our wonderful peer supporters here in Medway.

"I really wanted to volunteer so that I could help other women achieve their goals of breastfeeding whilst knowing that support is always available.

To be giving mums the knowledge, support and a listening ear in what can be a hugely transformative time feels like a huge privilege.

It's a wonderful feeling to know that I might in some small way help and empower someone to keep going and feel proud of what they are doing."

Thank you Bex, and to all of our volunteers ❤️

To access breastfeeding support in your area, visit the Beside You website 👉 https://bit.ly/4e1Zx9o

02/06/2026

Beside You will be at the Child-Friendly Medway Baby and Toddler Week tomorrow, at the Rochester Corn Exchange.

More details in the post below 👇

What’s on this Wednesday at Baby & Toddler Week!🩵👶

Stalls and workshops about weaning, starting solids and nutritious meals for toddlers🍏🥕
Parent & Baby Pilates with 🧘food with live chef talks, demonstrations, tasters and a food sensory play activity🍅

Plus, all week you can enjoy:
🎪 Sensory dome and soft play equipment
👪 Free information stalls with our partners supporting children and families
📖 Story corner and storytelling with puppets

🕐 Monday 1pm-3pm
🕙 Tuesday , Wed and Thu 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm
🕙 Friday 10am-12pm
📍Rochester Corn Exchange, 51 High Street, ME1 1LS
👶Aimed at 0–4-year-olds, parents and carers, and expectant parents

Child-Friendly Medway's book swap shelves will also be there! If you have any stories you've finished reading, bring these books to swap for a new book! 📚

🚰Free refill station available so please bring a water bottle with you

Please note, photos and videos will be taken at this event 📸

Funded by Medway Family Hubs and

To learn more about your local Children and Family Hub visit their website or download the Medway Family Hub app to find out more about what is on offer, including free activities and events for the whole family.

02/06/2026

What inspires someone to give their time to support new parents?

Our peer supporters are a truly compassionate group who dedicate their time to helping others through some of the most important early moments of parenthood.

This Volunteers Week we're saying thanks to everyone in our Beside You family and beyond who support families with feeding their babies. Throughout this week we'll be sharing stories from some of our wonderful volunteers.

Here is Anya's story and motivation below on why she became a breastfeeding peer supporter:

"I wanted to volunteer because of the support and encouragement I received from peer support when I had my first child.

I was a new mum, unsure of what I was doing and the lovely lady I saw put my mind at ease and gave me tricks to make my feeding journey easier.

To be able to witness the empowerment and information that peer supporters give mothers (and partners) is such an amazing thing which I wanted to be a part of, and here I am!"

Thank you Anya, and to all of our wonderful volunteers for all that you do ❤️

01/06/2026

Say something nice, there's a day for that ✔️

We'd like to know, what's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to you along your breastfeeding and parenting journey? 💜

Let us know in the comments below 👇

31/05/2026

What's on Beside You this June? 🤱🌞

✨ Beside You social drop-ins for new mums ✨

📆 Wednesday 3, 10, 17 and 24 June
⌚️ 9.30am to 11am
📍 Alternate weeks at The Garden Cafe, Elm Court Garden Centre in Gillingham, and Jaspers Community Cafe in Rochester.
*These drop-ins run in partnership with Medway Maternity and Medway Community Healthcare

🔹 Medway events🔹
📆 Saturday 6 and 20 June
⌚️ 10am to 12pm

🔸Breastfeeding sessions 🔸
🤰 Hello Baby
These are free antenatal infant feeding information sessions.

🤱 Feeding support sessions
Face-to-face sessions for support with breastfeeding once your baby is here.

Hello Baby and Peer Support sessions run on:
🔸 Mondays in Strood and Hoo, partner sessions in Lordswood
🔸 Partner sessions Monday at Strood and Fridays at Delce
🔸 Thursdays at Deanwood in Rainham
🔸 Fridays at Delce in Rochester and Medway Park

Times and days may vary. To book either a Hello Baby or Peer Support session please email [email protected] or phone/text 07791 043190.

29/05/2026

Nooooooo!!!

🤱😩📱

28/05/2026

💚 June events for mums and dads 💚

🤱 Breastfeeding socials 🤱

Join us at our breastfeeding social drop-ins. They take place every Wednesday at Elm Court Garden Centre in Gillingham and Jaspers Community Cafe in Rochester on alternative weeks.

Perfect for new mums 💫

Bring your baby, grab a drink and talk to other mums!

💚 DadSpace Medway events 💚

dadspaceuk offer safe spaces for dads to talk, listen and share their experiences of fatherhood.

Check out their events in Strood and Halling this month ✨

View our full list of events and book your place over at 👉 https://bit.ly/3WICQAD

28/05/2026

If you live in parts of Kent that are affected by the water supply issues at the moment, here is some guidance on safely preparing baby formula when there is no water supply available.

Source: First Steps Nutrition