For Families

Supplementation

 

Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby.  If you decide not to breastfeed or stop breastfeeding, it is possible to restart, but it will be difficult.  Giving infant formula to a breastfed baby will reduce your milk supply. 

 

 

 

 

The average, healthy term baby should not need supplementation. If there are reasons that make you and your baby’s doctor think supplementation is appropriate, consider these four points:


1. Offer the smallest amount of supplement needed to settle your baby.  Note that breastmilk is the first choice to supplement your baby.  Breastmilk is made for your baby, formula is only needed when human milk is not available.

 2. Offering the supplement by spoon, medicine cup, syringe or tube, rather than bottle, may be less likely to interfere with his learning to breastfeed 

3. Pump at least eight times a day, to stimulate milk production adequately

4. Choose a low-allergenic formula, if you have a strong family history of allergies and expressed breastmilk is not available

Adapted from http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding

A hospital grade double pumping system is the most effective type of pump to use if your baby is not effectively breastfeeding

 Click here to download feeding diary

Click here to find a lactation consultant or breastfeeding assistance in Niagara

 

Please note that Health Canada has new guidelines for the safe preparation of commercial infant formula.  The preparation instructions may differ from what is on the can.

Click here to access Health Canada's guidelines on safe preparation and storage of infant commercial formula