The general practice nurse role in the provision of infant feeding advice

General practice nurses (GPNs) are a familiar and trusted health professional for new families through their surgery contacts, particularly during childhood immunisation appointments and routine antenatal and postnatal care. Although midwifery and health visitor colleagues have similar educative roles, it may be the GPN who can offer consistency and familiarity to a growing family. This article offers updates for GPNs on infant feeding, weaning and some of the recommended supplements and foods to avoid, framed around the schedule of childhood immunisations and the ante- and postnatal primary care appointments for new mothers. These contacts provide an important window of opportunity to offer up-to-date advice and answers to common feeding questions.