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Visit our video and reference library to see videos from Lactation Professionals on how to breastfeed as well as videos used through the website, references from studies that have been used through the website, and acknowledgements to individuals and groups involved in the creation and management of this website. Video & Reference Library Welcome to our video library. We have included a variety of instructional videos to help you on your breastfeeding journey. The information on this website is for basic information purposes only and should not be used in place of medical advice or care. Please consult a health care provider or lactation professional in your area regarding any concerns and to receive personalized care. The information on this website has been reviewed (2025) by a lactation consultant IBCLC, RN and Baby-Friendly Initiative Assessor and Trainer (WHO/UNICEF). All criteria that meet the requirements of the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and subsequent relevant WHA Resolutions and embrace the WHO “Ten Steps” to Successful Breastfeeding are met in this resource. Jennifer Abbass Dick RN, IBCLC, PhD VIDEOS How the Breast Makes Milk Changes in Breast Milk Offering Both Breasts at Each Feed How to Know Your Baby is Getting Enough Breast, Nipples & Areolas Say NO to Nipple Feeding Making Breastfeeding Comfortable for You Watch the FULL VIDEO on Human Lactation Stephanie George B.A. (Hons), IBCLC, Ogwehonwe Midwife VIDEOS Preparing to Breastfeed How the Breast Makes Milk Supply & Demand Baby Led Latching Positioning & Latch How to Know Your Baby is Getting Enough Getting Help Watch the FULL VIDEO on Lactation More Videos About Breastfeeding Why Breastfeed The Importance of Breastfeeding The Immune Protection Breastfeeding Provides What do Health Care Professionals Have to Say? The Cost of Infant Feeding The Creators Gift to Mothers How to Breastfeed The Breast Makes Milk Milk Supply Baby-Led Latching or Laid Back Breastfeeding Baby Latching Animation Breast Compressions Mom and Baby Come Together to Feed What to Expect When Breastfeeding Breastfeeding in the first few hours Getting Support Co-parenting and Breastfeeding La Leche League Breastfeeding Videos in Other Langauages Sick Kids Breastfeeding Learning Global Health Media Droplets References Abbass-Dick, J., Dubrowski, A., Micallef, J., Harvie, L., Newport, A., Pigeau, K., Jeronymo, H., Lemonde, M. (2024). Health care providers’ perceptions of barriers, facilitators, and acceptability of an eHealth resource: Descriptive study. International Health Trends and Perspectives, 4(1), 68–87. https://doi.org/10.32920/ihtp.v4i1.1938 Abbass-Dick, J., McQueen, K., Lemonde, M., Dubrowski, A., & Dennis, C.-L. (2023). Health literacy: A missing link to breastfeeding protection, promotion and support? . International Health Trends and Perspectives, 3(3), 365–374. https://doi.org/10.32920/ihtp.v3i3.1935 Abbass-Dick, J., Sun, W., Newport, A., Xie, F., Micallef, J., & Dubrowski, A. (2023). Maternal and co-parental experiences and satisfaction with a co-parenting breastfeeding eHealth intervention in Canada. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 72, 135-145. Abbass-Dick, J. & Keenan-Lindsay, L. (2020). Nursing care of the woman and family after birth. In L. Keenan-Lindsay (Ed.), Leifer’s Introduction to Maternity and Pediatric Nursing in Canada (1st ed.). (pp. 216-250). Cambridge, MA: Elsevier. Abbass-Dick, J., Sun, W., Newport, A., Xie, F., Godfrey, D., & Goodman, W. M. (2020). The comparison of access to an eHealth resource to current practice on mother and co-parent teamwork and breastfeeding rates: A randomized controlled trial. Midwifery, 102812. Abbass-Dick, J., Xie, F., Koroluk, J., Brillinger, S. A., Huizinga, J., Newport, A., & Goodman, W. & Dennis, C. L. (2017). The Development and Piloting of an eHealth Breastfeeding Resource Targeting Fathers and Partners as Co-parents. Midwifery, 50, 139-147. Abbass-Dick, J., Brolly, M., Huizinga, J., Newport, A., Xie, F., George, S. Sterken, E. (2017). Designing an eHealth Breastfeeding Resource with Indigenous Families Using a Participatory Design. Journal of Transcultural Nursing: DOI: 10.1177/1043659617731818 Abbass- Dick, J., Chyzzy, B., Newport , A., Huizinga, J., Xie , F. (2020). Designing an eHealth Breastfeeding Resource with Young Mothers Using a Participatory Design. Journal of Transcultural Nursing. doi:10.1177/1043659620957065 Markman, H. J., Stanley, S. M., & Blumberg, S. L. (2010). Fighting for your marriage: A deluxe revised edition of the classic best-seller for enhancing marriage and preventing divorce. John Wiley & Sons. (112-114 & 173-179) Riordan, J., & Wambach, K. (2016). Breastfeeding and human lactation (5th Ed) Jones & Bartlett. Walker, M. (2011). Breastfeeding management for the clinician. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.Last Revised May 2024 Acknowledgements Creators of this site are not responsible for any content on websites accessed through links. About Breastfeeding is currently being maintained, developed and evaluated through a joint partnership involving teams from Ontario Tech University, Durham Region Health Department and Lakeridge Health under the leadership of Dr. Jennifer Abbass Dick. About Breastfeeding replaces our original website, created in 2020, Breastfeeding Information for Parents. The information contained in this website can be used for educational purposes, which support, promote, and protect breastfeeding with credit given to About Breastfeeding. To use this information for alternative purposes, permission must be sought at breastfeedingstudy@ontariotechu.ca Disclaimer This resource provides information about breastfeeding so visitors can understand how breastfeeding works, what to expect while breastfeeding, how to assess how breastfeeding is going, and when and how to access support to help meet breastfeeding goals. The terms mothers and breastfeeding are used throughout the resource, we acknowledge and respect that some users may prefer to use other terms. The information on this website is for basic information purposes only and should not be used in place of medical advice or care. Please consult a health care provider or lactation professional in your area regarding any concerns and to receive personalized care. Professional & Clinical Review - January 2025 The information on this website has been reviewed by a lactation consultant IBCLC, RN and Baby-Friendly Initiative Assessor and Trainer (WHO/UNICEF). All criteria that meet the requirements of the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and subsequent relevant WHA Resolutions and embrace the WHO “Ten Steps” to Successful Breastfeeding are met in this resource. Text Content A portion of the content has been copied/adapted from the “Breastfeeding Matters” resource with permission from Best Start Resource Centre. Best Start Ontario. (2011). Breastfeeding Matters: An Important Guide for Breastfeeding For Women and their Families . Retrieved October 2013. Content has been updated to align with the 2020 version Updated 2020 . Videos of Mothers Breastfeeding Videos of mothers and infants breastfeeding included in the videos “The Breast Makes Milk” and “The Baby Latches, Suckles, and Drinks” are provided by the International Breastfeeding Centre and can be found at their website: https://ibconline.ca/breastfeeding-videos-english/ Additional Videos and Content Videos provided by Peel Public Health have been placed on the website with permission. For more information, please visit https://peelregion.ca/children-parenting/feeding-baby/breastfeeding-your-baby Funding This work has been supported by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

Everything you want to know about breastfeeding including why breastfeeding is important to the health of babies and mothers, how breastfeeding works, what to expect when you breastfeed, common concerns and how to support a breastfeeding mother. Created by breastfeeding experts and lactation professionals, this site is a must for any breastfeeding mother and her support network. Welcoming a new child is an exciting time. We are glad you are here. This website provides detailed information about breastfeeding and resources to help you as you give your baby the best start possible. The information on this website is for basic information purposes only and should not be used in place of medical advice or care. Please consult a health care provider or lactation professional in your area regarding any concerns and to receive personalized care. You can help us make this website even more useful by telling us about your experience using it. Pease take 10 -15 minutes and give us your feedback. Thank you! Complete Our Survey Why Breastfeed? Breastfeeding provides: An amazing bond between mother and child Everything a baby needs for the first six months of life and essential nutrients for the first two years and beyond A food source that automatically adapts to baby's hunger and developmental requirements A cost effective and convenient way to feed a baby And much more Learn More How To Breastfeed Learn more about the amazing female breast, including how it responds to your baby to make milk. Learn how to breastfeed - how to watch for your baby's hunger cues and how to establish an effective latch. Find out more about different breastfeeding positions and how to help your body make more milk, how to express your milk and how to get the best start possible. Learn More What to Expect When You are Breastfeeding Breastfeeding is one of the most natural experiences a mother and child can share. Like any learned skill, for some learning to breastfeed may come easily while for others it may be challenging. The good news is small adjustments can make a big differences as both mom and baby get comfortable with the process. Learn more about what to expect when you are breastfeeding including changes to your body, diet and activity. Learn about how the breast works, how often babies feed, when to wake your baby to eat and how to know if your baby is getting enough milk. Learn More Common Concerns Read about concerns that are common among breastfeeding mothers. Issues about mom's health such as sore nipples, plugged ducts, engorged breasts, mastitis and concerns about too much or not enough milk. Find out more about concerns commonly raised about your baby such as jaundice, trouble latching to the breast, calming a fussy baby, waking a sleepy baby. Learn More Getting Support & Help Support from fathers, partners, co-parents, family and friends makes a big difference and helps mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals. Learn more about the important role a father or co-parent plays in supporting mom, setting breastfeeding goals together, getting to know the baby and giving mom time to breastfeed. Find out more about all the things friends and/or family can do to help and where to find resources in your community. Read More

Learn why experts, including the World Health Organization, recommend that babies consume only breast milk for the first six months of life. Benefits to baby include improved protection from infection, obesity and sudden infant death syndrome as well as the promotion of proper tooth and healthy brain development. Benefits for mom include reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, breast and ovarian cancer and diabetes among others. Why Breastfeed? Notre mission Réunir divers chercheurs canadiens dans le domaine de l'allaitement maternel et de la lactation humaine afin de favoriser les partenariats, d'améliorer l'innovation, de catalyser de nouvelles initiatives de recherche, de garantir des méthodes et des pratiques de recherche équitables, diversifiées et inclusives et de renforcer les capacités des générations futures de chercheurs canadiens. des chercheurs. Cela peut inclure, sans toutefois s'y limiter, la recherche sur les bienfaits du lait maternel et diverses pratiques cliniques et culturelles d'alimentation au lait maternel. Breastfeeding Provides Immune Protection The germ fighting properties of breast milk are important to babies because their immune systems are immature and still under development. A breastfeeding mother's immune system develops antibodies and passes them to the baby, helping the baby develop a strong immune system and fight germs that otherwise might make the baby sick. During the first six months, the longer a baby is fed only breast milk, the greater the immune benefits. Breast Milk Power Food for Babies Breast milk has all the nutrients a baby needs for the first six months of life. Feeding a baby only breast milk during that period makes sure the baby gets those nutrients. The composition of breast milk changes as the baby grows and is uniquely tailored to the baby's stage of growth & development. Even when solid foods are introduced at six (6) months, babies should continue to breastfeed to 2 years+ to continue to receive the health benefits. Once breastfeeding is established, the breast adjusts to the demands of the infant as the baby feeds - babies get exactly as much as they need, when they need it. Réunir divers chercheurs canadiens dans le domaine de l'allaitement maternel et de la lactation humaine afin de favoriser les partenariats, d'améliorer l'innovation, de catalyser de nouvelles initiatives de recherche, de garantir des méthodes et des pratiques de recherche équitables, diversifiées et inclusives et de renforcer les capacités des générations futures de chercheurs canadiens. des chercheurs. Cela peut inclure, sans toutefois s'y limiter, la recherche sur les bienfaits du lait maternel et diverses pratiques cliniques et culturelles d'alimentation au lait maternel. Notre mission What's the Difference? Ever wonder about the similarities and differences between breast milk and formula? This document provides a detailed comparision. Click To View/Download About Formula Feeding Feeding your baby safely will help you build a close and loving bond with your baby, whether you give breast milk, formula or both. While many experts recommend that babies be fed only breast milk for the first six months and that breast milk be used to supplement other foods from six months to two years of age, we know that is not always possible. If you use formula to feed your baby, it is important to have the information you need to feel comfortable with your plan and know how it can impact lactation. If you would like to return to or increase breastfeeding, please contact your health care provider or lactation consultant to put a plan in place that works for you. Need help deciding? This booklet provides information that can help you make an informed decision about formula feeding. It also has advice on how to make, store and transport formula safely and how to read baby's cues during feeding. Read More

Common concerns about both Mom and Baby's health while breastfeeding. Answers to your questions about sore nipples, sore breasts and milk supply as well as information on common concerns about baby's health such as jaundice, thrush, calming a fussy baby, trouble latching and when to wake a baby to feed. Common Concerns Concerns About Mom's Health On this page we provide a short overview of some common concerns faced by breastfeeding mothers. We provide a small description of what the issue is, explain the common causes and give suggestions for how to help improve the situation. Where possible, we also include recommendations for when you should get outside help from a lactation professional or your health care provider. If breastfeeding is new to you, it can be challenging, especially at the beginning. With patience and practice, you and your baby will gain a better understanding of how breastfeeding works and you will also enjoy one of the most natural and mutually beneficial bonds a mother and child can share. Sore Nipples Read More > Plugged Ducts Read More > Mastitis Read More > Engorgement Read More > Milk Supply Too Much > Not Enough > Sore Nipples Some mothers find that their nipples can feel tender or sore especially in the early days and often at the beginning of a feed. This initial pain or tenderness should improve daily and disappear as your baby sucks at your breast. Common Causes: Nipple soreness often occurs when the baby latches on to and sucks the nipple only. How to Help: Try different positions when breastfeeding. This will stop the baby from putting too much pressure on the same spot each time. If initial discomfort does not disappear with sucking, try repositioning. Try to make sure the baby has a deep latch. When your baby opens their mouth to feed, direct your nipple to the back of their mouth and make sure they take a large amount of breast tissue surrounding the nipple, including the areola (the pink or dark area around the nipple) into their mouth. See video, below. Sore nipples are not related to the length and/or frequency of breastfeeding. Sore nipples are also not related to skin colour and can not be prevented prenatally. To prevent sore nipples, break the suction before trying to remove baby from your breast by gently inserting your clean finger into the corner of your baby's mouth or pressing down on the breast near the baby's mouth. What to Watch For: Nipple pain can be common while learning to breastfeed. Getting help with establishing an effective latch and/or positioning from a lactation professional may be all that is needed. If breast pain, nipple pain, nipple cracking or bleeding continue, consult a health care provider to determine the specific cause and create a personal treatment plan. Plugged Ducts A plugged or blocked duct means there is a blockage in one or more of the milk ducts in your breast. When a milk duct is blocked, milk cannot flow through that duct until the blockage is released. Sometimes a plugged duct can feel like a lump or swelling in one area of your breast. It may appear as a tender spot with redness and little or no warmth. A plugged or blocked duct can be uncomfortable and usually affects only one area of one breast. Common Causes: While there is no specific cause of plugged ducts, it does occur more often in the following situations: When not enough milk has been removed from the breast due to baby not feeding long enough, too long between feeds or a feeding being skipped. Women with greater milk supply. Wearing tight fitting bras or clothing. How to Help: Breastfeed more frequently - breastfeed at least 8 or more times in 24 hours. Make sure the baby has a deep latch and is positioned with nose-to-nipple and tummy-to-tummy. Start all feedings with the breast that has the plugged duct until the blockage is removed. Remove any tight fitting clothing or bras. Wear bras without underwire and get plenty of rest. What to Watch For: A lump in your breast that will not go away should be seen by your health care provider. Breasts with blocked ducts can become infected, a condition called mastitis . Watch for signs of mastitis including fever, chills and generally feeling unwell. See your health care provider if you experience any of these symptoms. Mastitis Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue causing it to become red, hot, swollen and sore. Red streaks and swelling may be visible in the breast. Mom may feel tired and achy and may develop a fever and/or flu-like symptoms. Mastitis is more common in the first six (6) weeks and usually happens in one breast, but both breasts can be affected. It is important to know that mastitis affects the breast tissue and does not affect the quality of your breast milk. Common Causes: Damaged or cracked nipples. A shallow latch. Milk being made faster than baby can remove it. When the breast milk is not removed from the breast it may cause a plugged duct or engorgement. Tight fitting clothing or bras with underwire. A change in your baby's feeding habits. Your baby may not be breastfeeding as often or suddenly refuses to take the breast. How to Help : Continue to breastfeed frequently including from the affected breast. If it is too painful to breastfeed, you can remove the milk by hand expression or by pumping. Apply a cool, moist compress to the breast before breastfeeding. Ensure your baby has a deep latch. Try breastfeeding in different positions to improve comfort. Wear loose fitting clothing and avoid bras with underwire. Drink fluids and get plenty of rest. Ask for help from your partner, family, friends and neighbours. Call your health care provider. You may need treatment with antibiotics and a pain reliever. If the mastitis is related to a plugged duct , follow the suggestions for how to get milk flowing again. What to Watch For : If your mastitis does not improve and you experience signs of an infection like fever, chills and generally feeling unwell, see your health care provider. In some cases mastitis can become an infection and, if untreated, could lead to an abscess in your breast. Engorgement Breast fullness usually happens about 2-4 days after giving birth. Mothers will notice their breasts feel heavier and fuller. Breast fullness subsides on its own if baby is feeding often and removing enough milk. Engorgement is when breasts become overly full of milk and feel tight, heavy and painful. Engorged breasts may look shiny and tight. The flow of breast milk may be impacted by the swelling. The areola and nipple may also appear swollen causing the baby to have trouble latching correctly. Mothers may experience pain throughout the feed. If left untreated, engorgement may lead to complications for the mother: a decreased supply of milk, sore nipples related to poor latch, risk of mastitis due to increased pressure in the breast, and/or damage to the milk-producing cells in the breast. Engorgement may also lead to complications for the baby: early weaning, slow weight gain. Common Causes: Engorgement can happen if not enough milk is regularly being removed from the breast by either your baby or by hand expression and pumping. How to Help: The best way to treat/prevent engorgement is to remove the milk from the breast through feeding or expressing/pumping milk. Watch for feeding cues from your baby and allow your baby to breastfeed when hungry. Your baby should feed 8 times in 24 hours and should feed until full. Be sure to offer both breasts at each feed. Avoid use of artificial nipples or soothers during periods of engorgement. Due to swelling, you may have to soften the areola and nipple before the baby can latch on. This can be done with reverse pressure softening. You can also hand express milk before starting to feed to soften the areola and nipple. Make sure your baby takes in/latches onto more breast tissue, not just the nipple. Do not limit the time your baby feeds at the breast. Let your baby feed on the breast and remove enough milk so that your breast feels softer and more comfortable before switching breasts. If your baby does not remove enough milk to make you feel comfortable, hand express more milk until you are comfortable. Milk in the breast at the end of the feed will let your body know it has made more milk than necessary and the breast will respond by making less milk. Use breast compressions to help move the milk. Apply a wrapped ice pack or cold compress (for 10 - 15 minutes at a time) to the breast between feedings. If using a bra, make sure it is not too tight and does not have underwire. What to Watch For: If engorgement does not improve, continue to express milk and contact your primary health care provider. Too Much Milk When a mother's breast makes more milk than her baby needs, the baby might latch well at first and then start to gag, choke, gulp, gasp, cough and/or pull away from the breast. The baby may try to stop or slow the flow of breast milk by changing position at the breast or by clamping down on the nipple. The baby may come off the breast fully and milk may run out of the corners of the baby's mouth. Babies may also spit up, be gassy or have green watery stools. Common Causes: An oversupply of milk is normal and can be common in the early days of breastfeeding as mom's body tries to figure out how much milk the baby needs. Expressing breast milk while also feeding your baby regularly may cause mom's body to make too much milk. How to Help: It is common in the early days of breastfeeding to make more milk than your baby needs. This will slow down over the next few weeks and months. If you are expressing breast milk, try to reduce the amount you are expressing or pumping until you are no longer making more milk than your baby needs. If you are not expressing milk but have more than your baby needs, try breastfeeding from only one breast per feeding. If the second breast becomes too full and uncomfortable, try expressing just enough breast milk to soften the breast. Removing too much milk from the breast will encourage your body to make more which is not what you want if your breast are engorged or making more milk than your baby needs. Try different breastfeeding positions , such as your baby on your tummy while you are lying down or leaning back while feeding. Not Enough Milk Mothers often worry about how much milk their baby is getting and if it is enough. One of the amazing things about breastfeeding is that a mother's milk is always changing to best meet her baby's needs. In the early days, a mother produces colostrum in small amounts that match the size of her baby's tummy. On day 3 or 4, most mothers notice that their milk looks whiter and the amount increases. The milk changes into mature (white) milk through frequent stimulation and milk removal. The more milk the baby removes from the breast during breastfeeding, the more milk the breasts produce. Common Causes: If a mother starts to supplement breastfeeding with formula it may impair the natural removal-production relationship between baby and mom and result in mom producing less milk than needed by her baby. As babies grow, some days they seem hungrier than usual and parents may worry there is not enough milk. These times are called growth spurts. If your baby is content, has a normal amount of output (pees and poos) and is growing and gaining weight, there is no need to worry. The more you feed your baby, the more milk you will produce. How to Help: Watch for feeding cues from your baby and allow your baby to feed when hungry. Do not limit the time your baby feeds at the breast and remember to offer both breasts at each feed. Make sure the baby has a deep latch and is positioned with nose-to-nipple and tummy-to-tummy. Babies should breastfeed at least 8 or more times in 24 hours. Wake your baby to feed if necessary, especially in the first few months. Avoid using pacifiers or artificial nipples. Allow your baby to suck at the breast. Increase the amount of milk your breast produces by expressing or pumping after breastfeeding to increase the amount of milk removed. If your baby needs to be supplemented, it is best to give your baby expressed breast milk. In this case, work with a lactation professional to maintain and increase your supply of breast milk. What to Watch For: Check your baby for signs of appropriate nutrition and hydration such as the amount of wet and dirty diapers. If your baby does not have enough wet and dirty diapers for their age, get help right away. Concerns About Baby's Health In this section we provide a short overview of some concerns about baby's health that can be common among breastfeeding mothers. We provide a small description of what the issue is, explain the common causes and give suggestions for how to help improve the situation. Where possible, we also include recommendations for when you should get outside help from a lactation professional or your health care provider. Jaundice Read More > Vitamin D Read More > Calming a Fussy Baby Read More > Trouble Latching Read More > Waking a Sleeping Baby Read More > Jaundice Jaundice is a condition where a newborn baby' skin and the whites of their eyes turn a yellow colour. It usually can be found on the baby's face and chest. Babies with higher levels of bilirubin tend to be sleepy and hard to wake up. It is important that babies wake up to feed at least eight (8) times in 24 hours. Common Causes: Jaundice occurs when the baby has high levels of bilirubin, a substance made when the liver breaks down red blood cells. Babies get rid of bilirubin in their stools (poo). If bilirubin builds up, parts of the skin and eyes can start to look yellow. Most babies have some jaundice during the first week of life. As your baby's liver function improves, bilirubin is removed from their system and the yellow colour fades. How to Help : Feed your baby often, especially in the first hour and days after birth. Colostrum, the initial breast milk, is a natural laxative and will help your baby start to get rid of bilirubin. Regular feeds, at least eight (8) in 24 hours will help build your supply of breast milk and get nutrients to your baby. Baby's with persistent or severe jaundice may need blood tests to determine their bilirubin levels. You can help your baby during the blood test by holding your baby skin-to-skin and breastfeeding. Phototherapy light can help decrease the amount of bilirubin in the baby's blood. Sunlight is not an effective treatment. What to Watch For: Over the first few days, your baby's bowel movements (poos) should turn from dark green to yellow and any jaundice (yellow) in the whites of their eyes or skin should lessen. Contact your health care provider if your baby shows any of the following: Refuses to breastfeed or has decreased appetite Is sleepy all the time and is difficult to wake up Is making fewer wet diapers (peeing) than expected Yellowing of the whites of eyes and skin is getting worse (deeper yellow) Bowel movements (poos) have not changed from dark green to yellow by day 4. Check your baby for signs of appropriate nutrition and hydration such as the amount of wet and dirty diapers. If your baby does not have enough wet and dirty diapers for their age, get help right away. Vitamin D Babies need vitamin D for healthy growth and development. It helps them build strong bones and teeth. Babies without sufficient vitamin D may be at risk of developing rickets, a disease that affects the way bones grow and develop. Common Causes: Vitamin D is formed naturally when skin is exposed to sunlight. Since Canada is located so far north, sunlight is not able to develop sufficient vitamin D at certain times of the year. Also, sun protection like sunscreen and clothing which protects babies from the harmful rays of the sun also prevents vitamin D formation. How to Help : A daily vitamin D supplement of 400 IU (10 µg) is recommended from birth for all infants who are breastfed or receiving breast milk. Partially breastfed infants should receive a daily vitamin D supplement of 400 IU regardless of their average formula intake. Calming a Fussy Baby Crying is a normal newborn behaviour and one of baby's only ways to attempt to speak to us. Almost all babies have at least one fussy period during the day or evening and most babies cry more at night, sometimes for an hour or more. Parents find that crying begins to increase at 2 weeks of age and decrease at about 3 months of age. It is normal to worry about your baby crying in the first few months. You may feel angry, frustrated, tired and overwhelmed when your baby cries. Common Causes: All babies cry and some cry more than others for different reasons. Babies might cry because they are hungry, tired, bored, uncomfortable, overstimulated or sick. They may be looking for the comfort of a hug or a diaper change. Trying to find out why your baby is crying can be challenging. Babies do not cry to try to make you angry or to control you. Responding to a baby's cry will not spoil a baby. How to Help : Responding to your baby's cry is very important. Mother-baby togetherness will help you learn about your baby's cues and allow you to respond in a timely way. Watch for early hunger cues and feed your baby at least eight (8) times in 24 hours. Remember that crying is the last hunger cue. Change your baby's diaper whenever it becomes wet or soiled. Spend time skin-to-skin with your baby. Most babies feel more relaxed and secure when held close. Comfort your baby with gentle massages, singing or speaking softly. Make sure your baby's clothing does not restrict movement or lead to discomfort. Try different techniques to help calm your baby. Each baby will respond differently to different techniques. There may be times when you cannot settle your baby. This is normal and can be frustrating. If you have tried different techniques and are still having trouble settling your baby: Ask for help from a support person - partner, family, friend or an adult you trust - while you take a break. Try self-calming strategies like counting to 10 or taking a few deep breaths. If possible, try taking your baby on a walk or moving to a dark, quiet room. If no one is immediately available to help, put your baby safely and calmly in their crib and call on someone to help. Never shake your baby, no matter how frustrated or upset you might feel. Using a Pacifier to Calm or Sooth Your Baby Many breastfeed babies never use a pacifier. When a baby is fussy, offer the breast first. Offering a pacifier may result in your baby not getting enough milk and slow weight gain patterns. This can also lead to a reduction in your milk supply. There is limited research that suggests pacifier use can increase the risk of ear infections and future dental problems. If you have made an informed decision to use a pacifier, try to only give it to your baby for a short time after your baby has fed. Be sure to wash it regularly to avoid infections. You can also let your baby suck on your clean finger. If a short time of sucking does not settle your baby, offer them your breast again. Trouble Latching A latch is when the baby attaches to the breast and suckles and drinks. Some babies may have difficulty establishing an effective latch. Common Causes: If breastfeeding is new for mom and baby, it make take a little patience and practice to get into a comfortable routine. At the beginning, it can be common for babies to try and feed with only the nipple in their mouth which can be painful for mom and frustrating for baby. An effective latch requires the baby take a large portion of breast tissue, including the areola - the pink or dark area around the nipple - in their mouth. If artificial nipples and/or pacifiers have been introduced before breastfeeding is well established, it can interfere with breastfeeding since the way a baby suckles at the breast is different than how a baby suckles on an artificial nipple. How to Help : It is important to establish and maintain your milk supply by removing milk as many times as baby would feed - at least 8 times in 24 hours , including through the night. Pumping your breast and feeding your baby your expressed milk will help make sure your baby is receiving the nutrients from breast milk and that your milk supply is maintained. This may be necessary as you work to get your baby on your breast. Place your baby skin-to-skin and observe for early hunger cues prior to feeding. Get into a comfortable position and make sure your baby is supported. Support the breast, keeping fingers away from the areola. Tickle the baby's upper lip gently with the nipple or breast until the baby's mouth opens very wide. Bring your baby to your breast with the chin and lower jaw first. Try to avoid moving the breast once the baby has latched on. Keep your baby's body well supported and do not push the baby's head into the breast. If the feed continues to be painful, break the suction by pressing down on the breast near the baby's mouth, pulling down on the baby's chin, or inserting a finger into the corner of your baby's mouth. If you continue to experience challenges with latching, contact a lactation professional or your primary health care provider. Waking a Sleepy Baby Too much sleep, particularly with newborn babies, can prevent them from feeding often enough to get the nutrition they need to grow. For this reason, it is important to wake your baby up to feed until they are regularly waking up on their own and showing signs that they are getting enough to eat. Common Causes: Most newborn babies are sleepy . In the first few weeks, babies typically sleep 11 - 18 hours per day. As a newborn, most babies will feed for 20 - 45 minutes and may fall asleep while breastfeeding or shortly after breastfeeding. At the same time, babies should feed at least at least 8 times in 24 hours How to Help : Make sure your baby feeds at least 8 times in a 24 hour period. The longest stretch of sleep for your baby should be no more than 4 hours. Babies feed best when they first start to show signs of hunger. Keep your baby close to you so you notice the early hunger signs . Undress your baby before you start to breastfeed and hold them skin-to-skin. Remember to change a wet or soiled diaper. Express a little bit of milk when you bring your baby to the breast. This will let the baby know there is milk present and increase their interest in feeding. During a feed, if you notice your baby is sleepy and no longer swallowing, try switching to the other breast. Switching breasts can be done several times during the same feeding. Change your baby's position by lifting the baby up to your shoulder or rubbing your baby's back. Keep your baby awake by talking to your baby or singing songs. Try upright breastfeeding positions to encourage your baby to feed longer and not fall asleep. Ensure baby is latched deeply and positioned comfortably. If the baby's sucking and swallowing starts to slow down while breastfeeding, compress the breast to remind the baby that there is milk and encourage feeding until full. Once the baby starts sucking again, you can stop compressions. What to Watch For: Be sure your baby is waking to feed and staying awake at the breast 8-12 times in 24 hrs. Watch for signs you baby is getting enough , with adequate energy and output (pees/poos) for their age.

Everything you want to know about how to breastfeed including how the female breast responds to your baby to produce exactly what your baby needs. Learn how to read baby's cues, how to create an effective latch, how to know your baby is getting enough milk, how to express and store milk and how to get a good start at breastfeeding. How to Breastfeed How Breastfeeding Works The female breast is highly responsive to cues from baby and will make exactly the right amount and type of milk for baby's needs. Breastfeeding starts with the baby's suckle. Suckling sends a message to Mom's brain to release a hormone that causes the breast to make milk. As baby continues to suckle, a second hormone relaxes the milk ducts releasing and delivering milk to the baby and the baby drinks. Since the suckle has such an important role in the breastfeeding process it is important that the suckle is protected as much as possible. When baby suckles at the breast, Mom's brain responds by releasing hormones. These hormones tell the breast to make and deliver milk. The way babies suckle on soothers, pacifiers and bottles is different than the way babies suckle at the breast. Therefore, it is recommended that soothers, pacifiers and bottles be avoided until breastfeeding has been well established. Stages of Milk Production & Composition First Milk - Colostrum Looks like - thick yellow milk Contains - high amounts of germ fighting cells Volume - small quantities Function: Protection - Colostrum lines a baby's stomach and protects against harmful bacteria Facilitates - proper stomach function and health Laxative - helps baby pass the first bowel movements Second Milk - Mature Milk Looks like - bluish milk Contains - high amounts of fat, carbohydrates and calories Volume - increases with the size of baby's stomach Mature milk changes during the feed : Foremilk - Starts as a watery milk to quench baby's thirst Hindmilk - the milk's fat content increases through the feed. Let the baby feed as long as needed to benefit from the hindmilk and stay satisfied between feeds and gain weight. Reading Baby's Cues Breastfeed your baby early after birth and often. Most newborn babies will feed at least 8 times in 24 hours. Your baby will give you cues to tell you when they are ready and eager to feed. Watch for and follow your baby's cues. Early Feeding Cues "I'm hungry" Stirring, moving arms Mouth opening, yawning or licking Hand to mouth movements Turning head from side to side Rooting, seeking to reach things with their mouth Moderate Feeding Cues "I'm really hungry" Stretching Moving more and more Hand to mouth movements Sucking, cooing or sighing sounds Late Feeding Cues Crying, agitated body movements, colour turning red. Calm baby down before feeding by: Cuddling Holding skin-to-skin Talking or singing Stroking or rocking Latching Baby onto the Breast Effective and comfortable breastfeeding starts with a good latch, or the placement of the breast in the baby's mouth. Babies are born with a reflex called "rooting" that helps them find the nipple. It may look like bobbing or pecking at first. When the baby finds the nipple, their mouth will open wide. Ensuring that the baby takes in a large mouthful of breast tissue, and that the baby's mouth covers a good portion of the areola, will create an effective latch. The baby's head can be tilted with the chin touching the breast, but the nose should not touch the breast. Taking a large mouthful of breast tissue ensures the nipple is at the back of the baby's mouth, making drinking easier for the baby and nursing less painful for mom. Tips for Latching Watch baby for cues it is time to feed. Hold baby skin-to-skin and let baby root for the nipple. Line up baby's nose to your nipple. Bring baby's chin and lower lip to the breast. When baby opens mouth wide, direct your nipple to the back of baby's mouth. While supporting the breast, keep your hands back and away from the areola. Once baby is latched, adjust positioning so mom is comfortable too. What to Watch For A deep latch - baby's mouth should cover a good portion of the breast's areola, not just the nipple. Strong suckle - let baby suckle so the process of making and releasing milk can begin. Sucks are quick and shallow. Swallowing - after the breast milk is released, baby should start to swallow. Sucks become deep and slow. You will notice a pause during the suck when your baby's mouth opens the widest. Your baby will drink milk during this pause and you will hear or see them swallow. Frequent feeding - watch for and follow your baby's feeding cues and feed as long as the baby wants on each breast. Baby feeds until full - baby is calm and relaxed after feeds. The Importance Of Positioning A good position and latch helps baby get enough milk to satisfy hunger and grow. Make sure mom and baby are both comfortable and well supported. Hold baby skin-to-skin on your chest. Hold baby facing you, tummy-to-tummy. Baby's ears, shoulders and hips should be in a straight line. Support baby's shoulders, neck and bottom. En dehors de la galerie Video Provided by Peel Region Public Health Notre mission Réunir divers chercheurs canadiens dans le domaine de l'allaitement maternel et de la lactation humaine afin de favoriser les partenariats, d'améliorer l'innovation, de catalyser de nouvelles initiatives de recherche, de garantir des méthodes et des pratiques de recherche équitables, diversifiées et inclusives et de renforcer les capacités des générations futures de chercheurs canadiens. des chercheurs. Cela peut inclure, sans toutefois s'y limiter, la recherche sur les bienfaits du lait maternel et diverses pratiques cliniques et culturelles d'alimentation au lait maternel. Every time milk is removed from the breast, the breast responds by making more milk. Reasons For Expressing Milk Hand expressing colostrum is a painless, convenient way of removing colostrum from the breast and can be started before your baby is born after 37 weeks of pregnancy (unless you are advised not to by your health care provider). Expressing the first milk, or colostrum , will enable you to get baby interested in latching by giving them a taste of your milk. If baby is not yet latching, it will ensure baby gets the highly nutritious colostrum. Use a wide cup or teaspoon, to collect colostrum to feed your baby. Expressed milk rubbed on your nipples can be soothing and prevent soreness. Expressing mature milk can be done by hand expression or with a breast pump. Expressing milk can relieve pressure if breasts are overly full. Expressed milk can be stored and used if you are away from baby during feeds. For more information on pumping and storing breast milk, click on the button below for a helpful fact sheet. Fact Sheet Learning to Hand Express Breast Milk How To: Wash your hands well and find a place where you feel comfortable and relaxed. Gently massage your breast from outside toward the nipple and roll nipple between your fingers. Hold your breast between the thumb and fingers of one hand about 4 cm back from your nipple. See "Compress" in the image above. Lift the breast slightly and gently press it towards your chest. Lightly compress your thumb and fingers together in a rolling motion towards the nipple. Relax your fingers for a couple of seconds and compress again. Do not squeeze the base of your nipple as it will stop the flow of milk. Move around your breast so you are expressing from the entire breast. Continue until the flow of milk has completely stopped. Switch and do the other breast. Ask your health care provider, hospital nurse or public health nurse to show you how to express breast milk. If necessary, your partner can help you hand express. Remove milk from your breast as needed. Consider the number of times you would typically feed your baby and consider removing milk to support your milk production if you are away from your baby or the baby is unable to feed from the breast. Compress the Breast to Keep Baby Awake Compressing your breast while baby is latched is a great way to keep baby awake and engaged in feeding. Multiple Babies A mother can make enough milk for more than one baby. The more milk removed from the breasts, the more milk the breasts will make. While learning to breastfeed you may enjoy feeding your babies one at a time as it gives you more time with your babies. Since you may spend a lot of time in the early days breastfeeding, accept help from friends and family and be sure to rest when you have a chance. For more information on breastfeeding multiple babies, please visit Multiple Births Canada. Getting a Good Start Hold baby skin to skin regularly Practice baby-led latching Respond to your baby's cues Breastfeed early after birth and often Learn how to hand express colostrum and breast milk Avoid soothers and bottles which may affect baby's suckle

Guidance from lactation professionals on what to expect when you are breastfeeding across a variety of scenarios including changes to your breasts, c-section births, tandem feedings and premature births. Information on what to watch for and signs that feeding is going well. Plus guidance for mom on what to expect and watch for in relation to diet and activity during breastfeeding. What to Expect When Breastfeeding The Amazing Female Breast When baby latches to the breast it is important that their mouth covers the areola and that the nipple is to the back of their mouth. Baby's suckle tells mom's breast to start making milk. Once milk is made, more suckling causes milk to be released for baby. The female breast has the ability to deliver exactly what your baby needs - the right type and amount of milk to meet your baby's health and developmental needs. How? The type of milk your breast produces changes as your baby grows. That is why experts recommend that babies be fed only breast milk for the first six months and that breastfeeding continue once solids are introduced. The breast also responds to cues from your baby. Suckling tells your body to make milk. More suckling tells your body to release the milk for your baby to drink. Learn More Changes in Your Breasts You probably noticed changes to your breasts throughout your pregnancy as your breasts started getting ready to feed your baby. Most mothers will notice some breast growth, change in colour of the areola, tenderness and the appearance of noticeable veins in the breast during pregnancy. Once your baby is born, you may notice more changes to your breasts, including: Increased fullness - once your baby drinks the first milk from your breast, the colostrum, the breast starts trying to figure out exactly how much milk your baby needs. At around 2-4 days after giving birth, you may notice that your breasts are fuller and heavier. This will subside if your baby is feeding often and removing enough milk. If the feeling of fullness becomes painful, your breasts may be engorged. Click HERE for suggestions on how to deal with engorgement. Nipple tenderness - your nipples may feel tender at the start of a feed. This tenderness should go away as your baby sucks and starts to drink. If the tenderness does not go away, try a different breastfeeding position and try to re-latch your baby. Do your best to help guide your nipple to the back of baby's mouth. If baby's mouth covers a good amount of areola and breast tissue, not just the nipple, it is less likely to lead to nipple tenderness. Click HERE for suggestions on how to deal with sore nipples. New sensations - some mothers may feel a new sensation when the milk ejection reflex releases, or delivers, the milk from the breast, also known as "let down". For most mothers, this improves or becomes more familiar with each breastfeed. Leaking - it is common for breasts to leak milk in the early days, as the breast is trying to determine how much milk the baby needs. Some women may notice leaking before a feed or from the breast not being suckled during a feed. As well, just hearing a baby cry may trigger the Milk Ejection Reflex and lead to leaking. As the lactation system matures, the breast learns how much milk to make for your baby and the leaking stops. Breast pads may help keep you comfortable if you are experiencing leaking. To wake or not to wake? When to wake your newborn baby to breastfeed. Wake your baby to feed if: In the first few days of life, wake your baby to feed if your baby does not wake on their own within 2-3 hours of breastfeeding. Parents may also have to work to keep their newborn baby awake during feeds. Breast compressions during feeds can help keep your baby actively feeding at the breast. Let baby sleep if: Baby is waking at least 8 times in 24 hours to feed. Baby stays awake at the breast. Baby shows signs of satisfaction after feeds. Baby is having the appropriate number of wet and dirty diapers for their age. Baby is gaining weight. Baby has a wet, pink mouth and bright eyes. In these situations, follow baby's cues for feeding - called responsive cue-based feeding. Click HERE to download or read the Sleep Well, Sleep Safe booklet provided by Best Start for tips and answers to frequently asked questions about sleep. Breastfeeding a New Baby Frequent Feedings During the first few days, it might seem like your baby is feeding very frequently. That is natural. When the baby is first born, the breast is full of colostrum . Colostrum is very nutritious, it comes in smaller quantities and it takes longer to remove from the breast compared to more mature milk. Let your newborn baby feed as long as they want - colostrum will help with nutrition, immunity and stimulating bowel movements so it is important the baby gets as much as possible. Frequent feeding, which can also occur when the baby gets older, may be referred to as cluster feeding. With cluster feeding, the frequent breast stimulation helps increase a mother's milk supply to meet the needs of your growing baby. Early Arrivals When your baby is premature Breast milk is very important for premature babies. The breast milk of a mother who has delivered early is different and specially designed to meet the needs of preterm babies. This breast milk is higher in proteins, fats, sodium, iron, chloride and other nutrients. Holding your premature baby skin-to-skin is very good for both you and your baby and it will help your body produce the hormones that impact your milk supply. This is sometimes called Kangaroo Mother Care. Preterm babies often have a weak suck, which will get stronger with age. For this reason, mothers of preterm babies may want to continue to use alternate methods of milk removal such as hand expression and pumping breast milk to build your milk supply and provide it to your growing baby. Work with your lactation professional to create a plan that works best for you. More on Breastfeeding an Early Preterm Baby More on Breastfeeding a Late Preterm Baby Caesarean Birth Many mothers who breastfeed have given birth by Caesarean Section. Here are some tips to help get breastfeeding off to a good start: Take the recommended pain medication in the early days; ask your doctor for a medication that is safe to take while breastfeeding. Breastfeed your baby early after the birth, in the recovery room if possible. Breastfeed your baby often, at least 8 times in 24 hours. Find breastfeeding positions that are comfortable for you. Hold your baby skin-to-skin often and between feeds. Get plenty of rest and spend time with your baby. Get up and walk around periodically, a little movement will help the recovery. Ask for help with meal preparation and housework from family and friends. Siblings If this is not your first baby, you may wonder about the best way to explain breastfeeding to your older children. You may also wonder how you will occupy them while you are breastfeeding your baby. Many mothers find explaining what they are doing in plain language and inviting their older child to sit with them during breastfeeds helps their older child understand and be part of the breastfeeding experience. Since mothers are often sitting and relaxing during breastfeeds, older siblings may enjoy the opportunity to read, draw, or just visit with their mother at that time. Because mothers can breastfeed anywhere, anytime, they often find that breastfeeding is easy to do while also caring for their older children. Tandem Feeding Tandem feeding refers to breastfeeding two children at the same time. Some mothers may still be breastfeeding a child when they are pregnant and at the time of delivery. Many mothers want to continue to breastfeed their older child once their new baby is born. Here are three things to consider if you are tandem feeding: 01. 01. 01. 01. Prioritize your newborn. If you decide to tandem feed, it is important to remember to feed your newborn first and prioritize the newborn’s feeds. Even if you have been nursing through your pregnancy, your breasts will produce colostrum following delivery. It is important the newborn baby receive as much colostrum as possible. Also, the older sibling will be able to eat and drink additional foods. 02. 02. 02. 02. Tell your health care provider. You will want to let your health care provider know you are tandem feeding. Be sure to monitor your baby’s wet and dirty diapers and growth so you will know if baby is getting enough breast milk . 03. 03. 03. 03. Take care of yourself. Make sure you are getting enough to eat and drink . Drink lots of water and add 2 - 3 servings of food from the Canada Food Guide to help restore your energy. Do your best to rest and sleep when you can. If you can, ask friends and family to help out by assisting with household tasks so you have more time to breastfeed. Is Your Baby Getting Enough Milk? Three reliable ways to determine if your baby is getting enough milk: Does your baby have enough energy to actively feed at the breast by sucking, drinking and swallowing? Are the number of wet and dirty diapers appropriate for their age? After day four, is your baby is gaining weight regularly? This feeding chart can help you track the appropriate number of feeds and dirty diapers by age in the first few weeks. Chart used with permission from Health Nexus Download Feeding Chart What to Watch For To make sure your baby is getting enough milk, keep track of the wet and dirty diapers in a 24-hr period. A wet diaper is heavier than a dry diaper. Add 2 tablespoons of water to a dry diaper to see what it feels like. Your baby's urine should be clear or pale yellow and it should not smell. A breastfed baby should have 3 or more large, soft, usually seedy poops per day after they are 2 days old. By 3 - 4 weeks of age, some babies will have only 1 - 2 poops per day. After the first 4 - 6 weeks, some babies will start to have one large poop. This is normal as long as your baby is feeding well, seems content and their poops are soft. Get HELP if: Your baby reaches 4 days of age and is having fewer than 6 very wet diapers or 3 soiled (poopy) diapers in 24 hours. Your baby is having black poops after they are 4 days old. Your baby is very sleepy and always has to be woken up to eat. Your nipples or breasts hurt. You have a fever or feel sick. You are thinking about weaning. You are exclusively pumping. You are supplementing breastfeeding with formula. You are worried about yourself or your baby for any reason. Taking Care of Mom Diet and Activity for a Breastfeeding Mother Nutritional Requirements Breastfeeding mothers often feel hungry and thirsty during the first several months of breastfeeding. Try not to ignore your feelings of hunger and thirst. Having quick and nutritious snacks like pre-cut fruit and vegetables, yogurt, cheese or crackers on hand will help. Drink plenty of liquids such as water, juice, milk and soup to satisfy your thirst. Drink water and eat while breastfeeding or keep snacks and a water bottle near your favourite breastfeeding area. Eating a nutritious diet as laid out by Canada's Food Guide will help you feel your best and recover from giving birth. Your body uses about 350 - 400 calories to produce milk, so adding 2 to 3 extra servings from Canada's Food Guide ( 2 veg & fruit and 1 grain) can help regain the extra calories and make sure you have energy. Women following a vegetarian diet need a daily source of vitamin B12 which can be found in vitamin B12 fortified foods or a vitamin B12 supplement. Talk to your health care provider about meeting this requirement. Click HERE to access Canada's Food Guide languages other than English. Caffeine & Alcohol Caffeine Caffeine is found in a variety of sources including coffee, tea, cola and some medication for headaches. It is important to check the label. Caffeine does pass into breast milk but mothers can have have small amounts (300 mg or 1-2 cups of coffee) without it being harmful to the baby. Too much caffeine may cause the baby to be wakeful, unusually fussy and have trouble sleeping. If a baby becomes jittery, wakeful or irritable, the mother could try reducing or eliminating caffeine from her diet. Alcohol Alcohol passes through breast milk to your baby and may affect your milk supply. Babies need more time than adults to remove alcohol from their system. The younger the baby, the more difficulty they have clearing alcohol from their body. It is safest to avoid alcohol while breastfeeding. However, occasional drinking is not a reason to stop breastfeeding. If you chose to drink alcohol, consider ways to decrease risks to the baby: Limit the amount you drink to 1 or 2 standard drinks per occasion. Drink alcohol after breastfeeding, not before breastfeeding. Heavy drinking can put your baby’s growth and development at risk. If you plan to have more than 2 standard drinks on an occasion, plan ahead to have expressed and stored breast milk available and someone you trust to care for your baby For more information on Breastfeeding and Alcohol, please click HERE . Smoking & Drugs Smoking Tobacco products are transferred to breast milk and may decrease the milk supply. Mothers who smoke are encouraged to quit or use nicotine replacement therapy as a safer option to smoking cigarettes. Please speak with your health care provider about which type of nicotine replacement therapy would work for you. Second-hand smoke has been shown to be a strong risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). To reduce the risk to the baby: Everyone should smoke outside the home. Wear a smoking jacket when smoking and remove the jacket before handling baby. Wash your hands thoroughly before picking up or cuddling the baby. Delay smoking until after breastfeeding and while baby sleeps for long periods. Allow as much time as possible between smoking and breastfeeding. Decrease the number of cigarettes smoked or try to quit while you are breastfeeding. Keep your home and car smoke-free. Recreational Drugs Recreational drugs (including cannabis and cannabis products) can transfer to the baby through breast milk and have serious negative effects ranging from mildly toxic to extremely hazardous. There is no safe level of exposure to these drugs. If exposed, breastfed babies should be closely watched and a health care provider should be contacted. The following side effects are seen in babies exposed to recreational drugs: irritability, tremors, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drowsiness, sedation, poor feeding, respiratory distress, increased heart rate and poor sleeping patterns. Click HERE for the risks of cannabis on fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding and parenting. Taking Time for Yourself Being a new parent can be very busy. It is a 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week job and there are no scheduled breaks, weekends off or holidays. Although it is a wonderful job, it is hard. It is important to take care of yourself as well as your new baby. Here are some tips: Take a few minutes for yourself every day and do something you enjoy. Take time to relax. Find opportunities for company and conversation with adults. Spend time with friends and family. Try not to become isolated. Consider joining a new mothers or breastfeeding support group. Get to know other women who are going through similar experiences. Be realistic with expectations. You cannot do everything at once. Give yourself credit for breastfeeding. It is important work for your baby. Accept help from family and friends. It is alright to complain and let others know when you are having a hard day. Your feelings matter. Enjoy the time you are spending nourishing and getting to know your baby while breastfeeding. Sleep All parents of young babies will experience sleep changes at some point. Breastfeeding mothers will notice that their sleep depends on their babies’ sleep-wake and feeding patterns. A lack of sleep can impact parents’ physical and emotional well-being. Many parents address these sleep cycle changes by getting sleep and rest during the times the baby is sleeping. Sleep is essential for a baby’s growth and development. Babies tend to sleep more around periods of growth and babies grow rapidly in the first year of life. Babies awaken frequently in the night because their bellies are small and they need to feed often. Feeding during the night will help maintain a mother’s supply of breast milk. Nighttime feeding is easily fulfilled by breastfeeding, as they do not require preparation or warming of bottles. It is important that parents understand that babies will wake during the night for various reasons. For example, they may be experiencing a growth spurt, they may be ill, or they may need to feed. Understanding a baby’s sleep patterns will help parents feel less frustrated and disappointed when a baby wakes during the night. Points to Remember: It is important for parents to get as much sleep as possible. You may need to ask for assistance with household chores from family, friends, or neighbours. Sex after Birth Sex after birth is a very personal decision and will be different for each couple. Effective communication will help couples understand when both partners feel comfortable and ready for sex to begin again. Most couples wait for 4 to 6 weeks after birth to resume sex or until they speak with their health care provider at the 6 week postpartum check up. Some things to keep in mind: Birth Control - Speak to your health care provider about birth control options and breastfeeding if you plan on becoming sexually active again. Some hormonal birth control methods can reduce a mother's milk supply. These methods include some types of birth control pills, some intrauterine devices (IUDs), birth control skin patches, vaginal rings, etc. Tenderness & Discomfort - A woman may experience tenderness following a vaginal delivery for several months after the birth of the baby, especially if she had an episiotomy or any tearing/stitches during the delivery. Postpartum women also produce low levels of estrogen until they start ovulating again. For some mothers this may be for the entire time they are breastfeeding. Low estrogen levels may cause vaginal dryness, tightness and tenderness. Talk to your doctor if this is a concern. Do your best to stay connected to your partner and maintain good communication. Schedule a time to discuss this openly with your partner. Remember it is normal for a couple to experience decreased sexual desire in the period following birth due to the needs of a new baby. Exercise Exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Light to moderate physical activity is safe and beneficial for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Light to moderate exercise should not influence the amount, taste, or composition of breast milk. The benefits of exercise for breastfeeding mothers include: Improves overall health and energy level. Stimulates the release of feel-good hormones that can help boost your mood and relieve stress. Raises your body’s levels of prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production. Helps with a better night’s sleep. Helps you to lose your pregnancy weight. Points to Remember: Check with your health care provider before beginning any postpartum exercise program. During the first few weeks after your delivery, rest and building up your milk supply should take priority. Start exercising for short periods of time, a few days a week, and gradually increase your activity level, intensity and duration. Stop exercising if you become too tired, start to feel overwhelmed, feel pain or experience heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath. If you start to have bloody vaginal discharge and/or pain or discharge from your caesarean incision, stop exercising immediately and contact your health care provider. Drink water to avoid dehydration before, during, and after your workout. When you resume exercise will depend on your delivery. If you had a vaginal delivery without any complications, and if you were exercising before, it is probably safe to start exercising again after 6 weeks. If you had an episiotomy or a caesarean section, you will have to wait until you have completely healed. Your health care provider is the best person to guide you on when it is safe to start exercising. Feeling Down It is normal for mothers to have emotional ups and downs after having a baby. Coping with the needs of a newborn and healing from the delivery can be overwhelming. Some mothers may experience “postpartum blues” that often begin on the third or fourth day after delivery. Symptoms may include feelings of: Sadness Hopelessness Exhaustion Guilt and anger Frustrations Worry Panic or anxiousness Some women may also experience difficulty: Sleeping Relaxing Remembering things Concentrating Eating For most mothers, these symptoms will typically disappear on their own in about 1 to 2 weeks. However, some women may experience these symptoms for more than 2 weeks and they may not disappear on their own. In these situations mothers may be experiencing “postpartum mood disorder.” It is important to know that you cannot control or stop a postpartum mood disorder from occurring. It is not a weakness and there is help available. Treatment options include: Medication Counselling Support from other mothers with similar experiences. Points to Remember: Some of these symptoms are normal after the birth of a baby, however, if you are concerned or they continue for more than 2 weeks talk to your health care provider. Contact your local public health unit to find out about support groups available in your community. Illness & Medication Many women who have long term medical conditions are able to meet their breastfeeding goals by working closely with a health care provider and lactation professional. If you have an infection, your body makes antibodies to help fight the illness. Your baby will receive the antibodies through your breast milk. The antibodies you pass to your baby in your breast milk will give your baby some protection against the illness. Very few illnesses will require you to stop breastfeeding so even when you are sick you can usually continue to breastfeed your baby. Points to Remember: Encourage friends and family to not visit the baby if they are sick. Wash your hands with soap and water before you breastfeed your baby and after you change your baby’s diaper. If you become ill, speak with your health care provider and ask about any precautions you should take or if breastfeeding is not recommended during the illness. If you are unable to breastfeed during your illness, hand expression or pumping can help maintain your milk supply. By maintaining your milk supply you may be able to resume breastfeeding once you recover. A lactation professional in your area can help you with your specific situation. It is important to check with your health care provider or pharmacist before taking any prescription medications, over the counter medications, herbs and/or traditional medicines. If a medication is not compatible with breastfeeding you should ask your primary health care provider or pharmacist if another medication that is compatible with breastfeeding can be used. What to watch for: If you are taking medication or herbal remedies, watch for any changes in your baby's feeding or sleep patterns, fussiness, rash, constipation or diarrhea. These changes should be discussed with a health care provider. Returning to Work or School Many new mothers face situations where they find themselves away from their breastfed baby for extended periods of time due to a return to work or school. In each case, it is important for mothers to know: A mother's right to breastfeed in public is protected by legislation . Mothers, whether staying at home or returning to work, are welcome to breastfeed in public places, restaurants, schools and workplaces. When separated from their babies for longer periods of time due to work, school, or additional commitments, mothers are able to express and store their breast milk. This enables mothers and their babies to continue their breastfeeding experience and ensures the baby is able to receive breast milk. Continuing to breastfeed after returning to work or school has many benefits: Many mothers who return to school or work while breastfeeding find they are able to maintain their breastfeeding relationship with their baby. Baby will continue to receive the immune protection from breast milk and as a result be less likely to get sick. This also means less sick days for mom from work or school. Breast milk has all the nutrients baby requires for growth and development. Breast milk is easy to prepare and feed to the baby in your absence. Points to Remember: You may need to pump or hand express and store milk while away from your child. Hand expressing/pumping can be done to provide breast milk for feedings, increase your comfort, and maintain your milk supply. The frequency of hand expressing/pumping will depend on your feeding goals. Meet with your employer/teacher before returning to work or school to develop a plan to support your breastfeeding goals. The plan should include appropriate space and time to feed your child or express breast milk. Know your breastfeeding rights in relation to work as outlined by the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Choose a childcare provider close to your work or school. This may increase the likelihood of visiting your child during the day and to breastfeed if you choose to. Ask your co-parent or childcare provider to feed your expressed breast milk while you are away. Expressed breast milk can be given from a bottle, cup, or spoon. Breastfeeding in Public Women have a legal right to breastfeed in public including malls, restaurants, stores, schools and parks – anytime, anywhere. Points to Remember: Find a relaxing place to breastfeed and begin breastfeeding when the baby shows early signs of hunger . Breastfeeding in public when the baby is relaxed is easier than waiting until baby is extremely hungry and crying. If you feel anxious about breastfeeding in public, practice in front of your partner or a close friend. Some mothers also practice in front of a mirror to gain confidence. Wear clothing that is suitable for breastfeeding – shirts that lift up, a loose cardigan or jacket, an easy access bra etc. If you don’t want to breastfeed in public, many public places have a private room for breastfeeding. Ask about this at the front desk or administration office. Consider in advance how you might respond if someone asks you to stop breastfeeding in public. For example, "My baby is hungry, so I am breastfeeding, as is my right by law. If you have an issue with this, perhaps you could find another place to sit". Talk with staff or management if someone is making it difficult for you to breastfeed in public.

s Ways Fathers and Partners Can Help Support from fathers, partners, co-parents, family and friends makes a big difference and helps mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals. How a Father or Co-Parent Can Help Welcoming a new baby is an exciting, and often exhausting, time for a mother. Help from a father or partner can make a big difference for both mom and baby. When parents set breastfeeding goals together, they are more likely to achieve them. Understanding the benefits of breastfeeding can influence how long you plan to exclusively breastfeed and how long you will continue to breastfeed after solid foods are introduced at around six months. Working together can help you achieve your breastfeeding goals by making sure mom has the time and energy to feed and allowing you both to get to know your baby. Both parents can play an important role in breastfeeding by watching for baby's hunger cues , helping to calm baby before feeding, and monitoring your baby's output and energy so you both can be confident baby is getting enough milk . The Important Role of a Father or Co- Parent in Breastfeeding Set Breastfeeding Goals Together Some other things you can do to work as a team to meet your breastfeeding goals: Make a plan as to where you will get support if challenges arise. Discuss how you will get household chores completed. Discuss which friends and family are available to help. Make sure you are both actively involved with baby care and getting to know your baby. Support one another in meeting your breastfeeding goals. Communicate effectively and solve problems together. Get to Know Your Baby There are many important ways fathers, partners and co-parents can be involved and get to know their baby, including: Hold baby skin-to-skin. Talking softly, rocking, singing and reading to the baby. Change the baby's diaper. Give the baby a massage or soothing back rub. Bathe the baby. Play with the baby. Watch for cues the baby is hungry and bring baby to mom. Hold the baby after a feed. Put the baby down to sleep. Fathers, partners and co-parents can find things they enjoy doing with their baby. Their relationship with their baby is very important and will benefit themselves, mom and baby greatly. Although many fathers, partners and co-parents might not have experience with newborns, with practice they will feel confident and relaxed. Give Mom Time To Breastfeed Help with Housework Wash the dishes, do the laundry, clean the kitchen so mom can rest and focus on breastfeeding Help with Childcare Take a more active role in the care of any other children you may have at home. Bring home groceries Pick up healthy food items for family dinners and snacks. Prepare Meals Prepare fresh and nutritious meals and snacks. Ask others for help See if friends and/or family are able to help. Give Mom Support Beyond giving mom time to breastfeed and sharing in setting the breastfeeding goals, it is important to show your support for her efforts: Monitor her comfort while breastfeeding and help her find a comfortable, relaxing position. Treat mom with kindness, affection and admiration. Let mom know you appreciate the hard work she is doing by breastfeeding. Sit with mom while she breastfeeds, provide comfort, help, understanding and care. Ask her if she needs anything or if there is anything you can do to make her more comfortable. Work together to use effective communication and problem solving skills, should challenges arise. Effective Communication and Problem Solving Effective Communication Put aside time to talk about how breastfeeding is going for each of you. Practice active listening, being present, being attentive and not distracted. Try this Exercise: Take turns speaking and listening. When the speaker is talking, the listener should not interrupt. When the speaker is finished the listener can repeat what they think they heard. Once you agree that the message was understood, switch and give the listener a chance to talk. (Markman, Stanley & Blumberg 2010) Problem Solving Deal with problems when you are both calm. You may need to set a time to discuss the problem when you have both had a chance to calm down. Remember you are a team and working together toward a common goal for your child. Stay focused on your goal. Try this Exercise: Use effective communication to make sure you have a common understanding/definition of the problem. Make a list of possible solutions. Discuss the pros & cons to each solution. Choose a solution you will use to address the problem - compromise. Follow-up and see how the solution is working. (Markman, Stanley & Blumberg 2010) Friends & Family How to Help Support from friends and family can also help make breastfeeding a success. If you and your baby's father or co-parent have decided to breastfeed, tell your family and friends and ask for their support. Help them understand the benefits of breastfeeding and how breastfeeding works . During the early days after birth, some babies and mothers need time to learn and practice their new breastfeeding skills. What other people say or think may impact how successful a mom is at breastfeeding and her willingness to keep trying. Friends and family can have a positive impact by: Being Informed - Get as much information about breastfeeding as you can before the baby is born. Talk to friends, relatives, other families who have breastfed their baby and health professionals to learn what makes the breastfeeding experience successful. Explore this website to learn more about breastfeeding and how you can help mom. Knowing Where Support is Available - Become familiar with the resources in your community and help mom access them if needed. Offering Encouragement - a new mother may worry that she does not have enough milk for her baby. Most women have more than enough milk. Encourage her to breastfeed, as it is the best way to feed her baby. Tell her that you believe in her. Tell her that you are there to help. Do Not Disturb - Limit visitors, telephone calls and other interruptions during the early weeks after the baby is born. Give mom and baby a chance to know each other and learn how to breastfeed successfully. Encourage Rest - a new mother needs lots of energy to recover from childbirth and focus on the baby. Help with everyday needs such as meal preparation, dishes and laundry. Keep the home tidy and help care for other children. Help the Mother Care for the Baby - Babies cry for many reasons - not just for hunger. Learn different ways of comforting the baby such as skin-to-skin, holding, walking, singing or dancing. Bathing and changing are other ways to help care for the baby and give mom more time to breastfeed and take care of herself. Encourage Mom to Get Help - If mom is having difficulty with breastfeeding, encourage her to ask for help. Remember That Each Mother is Different - Ask her what you can do to help her. Community Resources There are many places where you can find breastfeeding support in your community: Across Canada, you can access free breastfeeding advice and referrals 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week by phoning 811. Some Canadian provinces also have additional ways of helping you access support in your community. Click HERE to find additional support in your province. Lactation professionals have received additional training in lactation and may be certified as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). With the specialized knowledge and skills obtained through this additional training, lactation professionals are able to provide personalized care to help mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals. Click on the thumb tack to find support in your province. To download Breastfeeding Support by Province - please click HERE . Breastfeeding Support Across Canada Peer Support Groups It can be very helpful to spend time with other mothers who are breastfeeding. One example of breastfeeding peer support groups are those run by La Leche League . This organization has been providing peer breastfeeding support to women for many years. Breastfeeding support groups are also available on social media. Remember, not all information on social media is accurate. If the information in social media posts differs from the information on this website or what your health care provider is saying, please talk with a lactation professional such as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or your health care provider. Video: Mothers' experiences with La Leche League Breastfeeding Matters Click on the button below to download a copy of Breastfeeding Matters, an important guide for breastfeeding families (2020). Best Start by Health Nexus. Breastfeeding Matters includes much of the same information included in this website such as why breastfeeding is important, common concerns, and what to watch for in a downloadable format. Resources from Best Start are used throughout this website with their permission. Download Breastfeeding Matters