Importance of Breastfeeding

How you feed your baby is a personal decision and each parent’s situation is unique. Call the Health Unit to speak to a Public Health Nurse to explore your options and have your questions answered.

• contains many antibodies that can protect your baby from illness, disease and development of allergies, and
• is readily available and is always the right temperature. No preparation or heating required.

Breastfeeding is important for mothers

Women who breastfeed:

• have a decreased risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, depression, Type 2 diabetes and weak bones,
• may lose their pregnancy weight faster and may not have their period again for a little while longer,
• create an extra-special bond with their baby,
• save money,
• can continue to breastfeed after they return to work, and
• are helping the environment because no garbage is created.

If you make a decision to use infant formula

• Discuss with your healthcare provider about feeding infant formula safely and in a way that reduces risks,
• Ensure you check for infant formula recalls and safety alerts,
• Feed in a way that is responsive to baby’s hunger and fullness cues,
• Learn about paced bottle feeding as a way to control how fast your baby drinks, and
• Provide baby with skin-to-skin time.