Warrnambool Breastfeeding Centre vice president and lactation consultant Barb Glare said the centre was open and urged parents to make contact.

"I think with all the confusion and all the changing conditions, people aren't sure and so they don't reach out for help, they don't feel confident enough," Ms Glare said. "It's important for people to know they can reach out for help and that they don't need to be isolated. We can always get support to them when it's needed (regardless of the restrictions)."

Despite reports of new mums in other areas being forced to learn to breastfeed in online telehealth consultations due to COVID-19 restrictions, Ms Glare refused.

"We've kept the breastfeeding centre open because we feel it's an essential service. You have to help people and it's not the same (doing it remotely). I've been doing home visits. The restrictions are just so confusing and the rules change frequently."

The facility allows parents a comfortable place to feed their babies, warm bottles, go to the toilet, access breastfeeding support with a qualified lactation consultant and meet other parents.

The centre hosts a range of children's activities and parent information sessions and provides access to information or referrals to other health and family services in the region.

Warrnambool mum Casey Turner visited the centre when her daughter Ivy was six-weeks-old for support with breastfeeding and said it had been really beneficial to be able to ask Ms Glare questions.

"As a new mum you get so many people's opinions you don't know whether you're coming or going," Ms Turner said. "I felt like I just needed one person's opinion and to go with that. Barb's been helping me with Ivy's feeding.

"She's been a good sounding board and she's listened to me. I'm not in a parents' group yet and the first 12 weeks are the hardest, you just need that reassurance," Ms Turner said.

She said it was great to be able to drop in without an appointment, meet other mums and attend the centre's storytime.

"It's good to have that reassurance and that safe space down there, to be introduced to other parents and to listen to their stories as well."

One mum, who wished not to be named, and has family living overseas said the support from Ms Glare and the centre had been invaluable. "It was pretty essential for my mental health to be able to come here last year during the lockdown and let my daughter play and sit with a mask on and have a bit of a breather."

First-time mum Rebecca Etherton said it was an amazing support service that the city was fortunate to have.

Mrs Etherton who is originally from Melbourne, said people she spoke to couldn't believe the city had such a free and comprehensive service.

While access to the breastfeeding centre has been easy, Mrs Etherton and Ms Turner said they had experienced confusion around some of their babies medical appointments being cancelled or pushed back during previous lockdowns, while other appointments went ahead.

The Warrnambool Breastfeeding Centre is at 141 Koroit Street and is open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm. A lactation consultant is available on Wednesdays from 10am and 4pm - no appointment necessary.

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