For Families

Getting Started

Health Canada recommends that breastmilk be the only food or drink for the first six months of life and after that breastfeeding should continue for two or more years along with the gradual introduction of new foods.

Breastfeeding is a unique experience with each new baby. It takes time for both of you to "get it right".

To "get breastfeeding right", it is important to: -

-Hold your baby "skin to skin" for at least 60 minutes right after delivery and often during the days that follow

-Put your baby to breast as soon as possible

-Hold and position your baby correctly -

-Latch your baby correctly

Remove breastmilk frequently by pumping or hand expressing, if baby is not breastfeeding well.

If you decide not to breastfeed or to stop breastfeeding, it is possible to restart but it can be difficult.

Giving commercial infant formula to a breastfed baby will reduce your breastmilk supply, giving expressed/pumped breastmilk is the better option.

If you decide not to breastfeed or stop breastfeeding, it is possible to restart, but it will be difficult.

Soothers are not recommended for full term healthy babies until 4-6 weeks of life when breastfeeding is well established.

For more information on soothing a fussy baby and soother use and breastfeeding click here