When baby Alice was born, little did mum Jess realise the challenges and heartbreak she would face in wanting to feed her newborn. But thanks to United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity, vital equipment was available when she needed it most.

Jess King gave birth to her first child in May 2026 at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston. Alice appeared to be feeding well on the rich colostrum milk that mothers produce when a baby is born and although Jess found feeding painful, her baby appeared content, so she believed everything was going well.

A few days later, Alice’s breathing became irregular and whilst clinicians could not find a cause for this, they did find Alice was dehydrated.

Jess said: “I didn’t realise she wasn’t getting enough milk. The hospital’s infant feeding team were so patient and explained how to express my colostrum and monitor how much feed she was taking. When my milk finally came in, I was so excited even though it was still very painful to feed.”

A turning point came when Jess received a new mechanical breast pump, funded by United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity, which significantly reduced the pain whilst Jess expressed her milk, and even enabled her to create a supply of milk to store in the fridge, as a top-up if needed.

When Alice was three weeks old, she was rushed Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham with suspected viral meningitis. She was too poorly to feed and shortly after Jess also became unwell and stopped producing milk.

“I didn’t want to think that my breast-feeding journey was over, but with guidance from Mel Baldwin, the hospital’s Infant Feeding Midwife, I persevered with the pump and my milk slowly returned.”

Jess believes the mechanical breast pumps are invaluable for new mums: “It’s easy to feel inadequate when you are new to parenting. Having access to this support makes a huge difference.”

The breast pumps are available to loan at Lincoln County Hospital and Pilgrim Hospital, Boston to support mothers experiencing early breastfeeding challenges.

The story comes ahead of World Breastfeeding Week, taking place from 1-7 September, which celebrates the benefits of breastfeeding and the importance of helping mothers, like Jess, overcome feeding challenges to ensure babies have the best possible start in life.

Emily Exell, Specialist Midwife at Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals Group, who supported Jess throughout her breastfeeding journey said: “Babies who receive breastmilk have a reduced risk of infections and illnesses such as diabetes, childhood cancer and sudden infant death syndrome. Breastfeeding also reduces mothers’ risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

“However, it can take time to establish breastfeeding. We can now loan these pumps to mothers and help them build their milk supply in the crucial early days after birth while their baby learns to feed.”

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity Manager Ben Petts was delighted to hear the outcome for Jess and Alice and said: “The generosity of our supporters has enabled us to fund two breast pumps at a cost of £4,250. It is lovely to hear they are already making a positive impact on the lives of our patients.”

Baby Alice is now doing well and Jess is preparing to return the pump. She added: “I just want other mums to know they’re not alone. If you really want to breastfeed but you’re struggling, there is help and it can make all the difference.”

Help us fund more breast pumps to support mums like Jess