YOUR KIDSBreastfeeding

Why Breastfeed?

Breastfeeding is normal and good for both you and your baby. Breast milk has important nutrients that help your baby grow and stay healthy. It also protects against sickness.  

The Canadian Paediatric Society and Health Canada recommend that babies should have only breast milk for the first six months. This means no other food or drink. After six months, your baby can start eating solid foods. You can also continue breastfeeding for up to two years or even longer. 

Importance For Your Baby

  • Breast milk is always fresh and at the right temperature. 
  • It helps your baby grow strong and healthy. 
  • It supports healthy teeth, mouth, and jaw growth. 
  • It lowers the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 
  • It keeps your baby healthy by preventing sickness, such as diarrhea, ear infections, and lung infections. 
  • Children who were breastfed may do better on IQ tests. 
            It's important to choose a feeding method that works best for you and your baby. At CK Public Health, we support all parents. If you're thinking about using formula, check out our fact sheet, Are You Thinking of Using Infant Formula?. It has helpful tips on how to safely prepare and store formula. 

            Getting the Best Start

            Before You Have Your Baby

            Are you pregnant and thinking about breastfeeding? Learning about it now can help you feel ready and more confident when your baby is born. 

            Learning Early

            Breastfeeding can take a little time for both you and your baby to learn. While you're pregnant, it's a good idea to learn more and ask questions. You can talk to experts who know a lot about breastfeeding. We offer a free online class series for people who are pregnant. It includes a part all about breastfeeding. 

            We also offer an in-person prenatal breastfeeding class four times a year. To learn more about online and in-person classes, visit our Parenting Classes page. 

            When Your Baby is Born

            There are things you can do right after birth to help breastfeeding go well. While you’re in the hospital, you can always ask your nurse for help with latching and feeding your baby. 

            Skin-to-Skin

            Skin-to-skin means placing your naked baby on your bare chest. Your baby should stay there for at least an hour, or until the end of the first feed. Keeping your baby skin-to-skin right after birth is the best way to help your baby get off to a good start with breastfeeding. It helps your baby latch and begin feeding. Research shows that skin-to-skin contact is the best way for your baby to adapt to life outside the womb. 

            Benefits of skin-to-skin: 

            • Keeps your baby's blood sugar, heart rate, and breathing steady. 
            • Your baby will cry less, use less energy, and be calmer. 
            • Your baby will stay warmer. 
            • Establishes breastfeeding and increases your milk supply. 

                  If you can’t be with your baby after birth for medical reasons, your partner can do skin-to-skin contact until you can join them. 

                  Substance Use & Breastfeeding

                  Alcohol

                  The safest choice is not to drink alcohol while breastfeeding. But having a small amount, like one standard drink with a meal, is not likely to harm your baby. If you choose to have a drink, it’s best to breastfeed your baby first. Then wait at least 2 hours before breastfeeding again. 

                  Starting Solid Foods

                  When your baby is around six months old and shows signs of being ready, you can start giving them solid foods. Solid foods help your baby get the nutrients they need as they grow. You should keep breastfeeding while you add new foods. 

                  For more information, visit our Introduction to Solids section on our Child Growth & Development page.

                  Pregnancy to Parenthood 

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