Infant Feeding / Nutrition

Breastmilk is the best food for your baby and also protects him against infections and disease. Breastfeeding is best for mother’s health too – it reduces her risk of breast cancer and helps to promote return to pre-pregnancy weight.

Tips for successful breastfeeding...

Try to breastfeed soon after birth, within the first hour if possible.

Hold your baby skin-to-skin often.
Make sure your baby is well-latched so she can get a good supply of milk.
Breastfeeding should not be painful – ask for help right away if you are feeling pain.
More breastfeeding information and help:
- Breastfeeding Your Baby (Best Chance BC)
- Signs that your baby is getting enough milk (Best Chance BC)
- Breastfeeding (HealthLink BC)
Talk to your Doctor, Midwife, Hospital Nurse, or a Public Health Nurse for help with breastfeeding.

More tips about feeding your baby...

Healthy babies should be fed according to their signs of hunger and fullness.
Signs of hunger may include: bringing her hands to her mouth, sucking, rooting (turning her head toward the person holding her), irritability and crying.
Signs of fullness include: closing his mouth, turning away or pushing away from the breast or bottle, or falling asleep.
Give your breastfed baby a liquid vitamin D supplement of 400 IU each day, as recommended by Health Canada. Vitamin D drops for babies are available at your local drug store.
Babies who are not breastfed should be offered a commercial, iron-fortified infant formula.
- Formula Feeding: Getting Started
- Formula Feeding: Safely Preparing and Storing Formula
Wait until your baby is about 6 months old to introduce solid foods. Introducing solids too early increases your baby’s risk of infections and of being overweight later in life. Watch for signs of readiness for solid foods.