Breastfeeding is the best choice for Mom and Baby. Breast milk gives an infant a healthy start in life. If you are unable to breastfeed, please see our section on bottle feeding and formula.

Breastfeeding is best for babies:

• Provides the best food that is always fresh and ready
• Helps to prevent constipation
• Increases protection against illnesses such as childhood diabetes
• Increases protection against ear, chest and stomach infections
• Increases protection against allergies
• May increase protection against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
• Helps to promote proper jaw and teeth development
• May help to promote better brain development

Breastfeeding is best for Mothers:

• Promotes closeness and touching with baby
• Helps the uterus return to its normal size after birth
• Helps keep bones strong
• Helps use up the extra fat gained during pregnancy
• Saves money and time

The health unit joins the World Health Organization and Health Canada in recommending exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Exclusive breastfeeding means the infant gets only breastmilk and no other food or drinks, including water.

Once the infant is six months old we recommend adding solid foods and continued breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond. Health Canada recommends Vitamin D infant drops for breastfed infants.

How we support breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Clinic: Held every Thursday 9 AM to Noon at the health unit. A Lactation Consultant is available to help nursing mothers. Mothers can also get baby weight checks and information.

Breast pumps: Public Health Nurses can provide information on breastpumps and where to rent hospital grade pumps.

Breastfeeding Buddies: Held the first Thursday morning of each month at the health unit starting at 10 AM. This group provides mother to mother support and encouragement. Over 90 percent of mothers in Huron County breastfeed their newborn babies; but that number drops significantly as the months go by. This support group helps mothers new to breastfeeding as well as those who want to continue longer with breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding Advice: is available by phone or home visits to mothers in Huron County.

Breastfeeding Referrals/Consults: are accepted from physicians, midwives, doulas, hospitals and individuals.

Breastfeeding Information: is included in regular prenatal classes.

For more information on breastfeeding and our services, call the the health unit at 519.482.3416 OR toll free at 1.877.837.6143.