- Child, Youth & Family Health
- Before the Baby is Born
- Baby's First Year
- Preschool (1-3)
- School Age (4-9)
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- Child Health - General Topics
- Advisories, Warnings and Recalls
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- Bonding with Your Child
- Breastfeeding
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- CAN-BIKE
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- Me? Breastfeed?
- Nobody's Perfect
- Prenatal Classes for Youth
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Breastfeeding
Exclusive breastfeeding, meaning no additional food or drink, including water, is recommended for the first six months of life for healthy full-term infants.
Continued breastfeeding, with the addition of nutrient-rich solid foods at six months is recommended for up to two years and more (World Health Organization 2002; Health Canada 2004).
A good illustration can provide a quick lesson. Take a look at breastfeeding visuals and learn about breastfeeding supports and breastfeeding when you return to work .
Breastfeeding Visuals
Learning to Breastfeed - Getting Started
Signs that Your Baby is Breastfeeding Well
Frequently Asked Questions About Breastfeeding
Why should I breastfeed my baby?
How many months should I breastfeed?
Where should I go for more information about breastfeeding?
When will I start to make breast milk? Will I make enough?
How often should I feed my baby?
Should I give my baby vitamins?
Is it safe to breastfeed if I am taking medicine or if I am sick?
What should I eat when I am breastfeeding?
What can my partner do to support my breastfeeding?
Can I continue to breastfeed after I go back to work?
Why should I breastfeed my baby?
Breast milk is the ideal source of infant nutrition, providing all the nutrients your baby needs for proper growth and development. It offers many benefits for both baby and mother.
Breastfeeding Benefits for Babies
- Milk is always fresh and ready
- May increase protection against some illnesses such as diabetes
- Increases protection against ear, chest and stomach infections
- May help protect against allergies if there is a family history of allergy
- Helps protect against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Helps to promote optimal brain development
- May help protect against childhood obesity
Breastfeeding Benefits for Mothers
- Promotes closeness and touching with baby
- Helps the uterus return to its normal size after childbirth
- Helps to control bleeding after birth
- May promote weight loss with an appropriate diet
- Helps to protect against cancer of the breast and ovary
- Helps to keep bones strong
- Saves money: formula is expensive
- Saves time: there is no need to prepare formula and bottles
- Does not produce any garbage and there are no packages to throw out
Tips for a Good Breastfeeding Experience
- Breastfeed as soon as possible after birth: within the first hour or two if you can.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help getting your baby to latch onto your breast, both in hospital and once you are home. See below for information about where to find help.
- Breastfeed often. Newborn babies need to be fed every 1.5 to three hours and whenever they show signs of hunger (put hands in mouth, make sucking motion with mouth).
- Do not give your baby soothers or bottles until they are six weeks old. This gives them a chance to learn to breastfeed well and helps increase your milk supply.
- Give your baby only breast milk. Your baby does not need extra drinks (including water) or food for the first six months.
- Talk to other women who are breastfeeding or who have breastfed a baby. They are good sources of support and encouragement. If you don't know anyone, the Breastfeeding Buddies Program will connect you with a breastfeeding mom you can talk to. For more information, call 519-772-1016.
How many months should I breastfeed?
Any amount of breast milk you provide is better than none at all. The longer you breastfeed, the better it is for you and your baby.
The World Health Organization, Health Canada and Dietitians of Canada recommend:
- Feeding your baby only breast milk for the first six months of life.
- After six months, continue to breastfeed with the addition of nutrient-rich solid foods.
- Breastfeeding with the addition of nutrient-rich solid foods may continue for up to two years or more.
Where should I go for more information about breastfeeding?
Before you have the baby is a good time to get information about breastfeeding. The more information and support you have, the more likely it is you will have a good breastfeeding experience with your baby.
See below for breastfeeding information and support available in Waterloo Region:
- Me? Breastfeed?: A workshop designed to help you learn the basics of breastfeeding before your baby is born. Gets you off to a good start.
- Breastfeeding Supports: Community programs where breastfeeding moms support other breastfeeding moms.
When will I start to make breast milk? Will I make enough?
In the first few days, your breasts will make small amounts of special milk called "colostrum." Over the course of the next few days, your breasts will become fuller and the amount of breast milk will gradually increase. The more your baby feeds, the more milk you will make.
It is normal for babies to lose up to 10 per cent of their birth weight in the first three to four days after birth, so don't be worried that your baby is not getting enough milk. Most babies regain their birth weight by two to three weeks of age. One way to know if your baby is getting enough milk is by the number of wet and dirty diapers your baby has.
If you are concerned about the amount of milk your baby is getting, call the Healthy Children Info Line at 519-883-2245 to talk to a Public Health Nurse.
How often should I feed my baby?
Every baby is different and needs to be fed when hungry, not at a scheduled time. Babies have small stomachs and need to feed frequently both for hunger and thirst.
Most babies need to feed about every three hours, although some will become hungry sooner. Feed your baby every 1.5 to three hours, whenever she shows signs of being hungry (putting hands in mouth, opening mouth, making sucking motion with mouth).
Note: A good practice is to feed your baby whenever your baby is hungry or every three hours, whichever comes first.
Some babies are very sleepy for the first couple of weeks and may not let you know that they are hungry. You may need to wake your baby so that she can be breastfed at least every two to three hours, for a total of eight to 12 feedings over 24 hours until baby:
- Regains birth weight
- Has six to eight heavy wet diapers and three to four yellow stools each day
- Wakes for feedings on her own
By about two months of age, your baby should be feeding at least six to eight times a day.
For more information about feeding your baby go to our Infant Feeding page.
To talk to a Public Health Nurse about how frequently to feed your baby, call the Healthy Children Info Line at 519-883-2245.
What are growth spurts?
These are times your baby will grow more quickly. They usually occur around three weeks, six weeks, three months and six months of age, and last a few days each time.
Your baby may need to breastfeed more often during a growth spurt. This in turn helps you make more milk.
Should I give my baby vitamins?
Health Canada recommends giving breastfed babies a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU every day until they are one year old, or until they get enough vitamin D from their diet (Health Canada, 2004).
For more information about giving vitamin D to your baby, talk to your health-care provider or call the Healthy Children Info Line at 519-883-2245.
Is it safe to breastfeed if I am taking medicine or if I am sick?
It is usually safe to continue breastfeeding, but talk to your health-care provider. To talk to a Public Health Nurse, call the Healthy Children Info Line at 519-883-2245, or contact Motherisk (www.motherisk.org) or call 1-416-813-6780 for more information.
What should I eat when I am breastfeeding?
- Enjoy a variety of foods and follow Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide.
- You do not need to avoid any food unless you have a food allergy.
- Drink water whenever you are thirsty.
For a copy of Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide, call the Public Health Resource Centre at 519 883-2374 or go online at www.canadasfoodguide.org to print a copy.
What can my partner do to support my breastfeeding?
Partners are very important sources of support for breastfeeding mothers. More information can be found here: Partners Supporting Breastfeeding.
Can I continue to breastfeed after I go back to work?
Breastfeeding after you go back to work is good for you and your baby. Many women continue to breastfeed after they return to work. For more information, see Breastfeeding and Returning to Work.
To speak to a Public Health Nurse, call the Healthy Children Info Line at 519-883-2245. You can ask for information on breastfeeding, including:
- Breastfeeding your adopted baby
- Breastfeeding your premature baby
- Breastfeeding more than one baby
