Unfortunately, misinformation and old wives’ tales about what babies need to eat are common. Understanding the current recommendations for feeding babies can help you ensure that your child is well-nourished. It will give you the confidence to enjoy this special stage of life.

*Note: This information is intended for the parents or caregivers of healthy, full-term babies.

Breastfeeding is Best

Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies. Recognizing this fact, Alberta Health and Wellness, Health Canada, Dietitians of Canada and the Canadian Pediatric Society all recommend that breast milk should be the only food or drink for the first six months of life. After that, breastfeeding should continue—with the gradual introduction of solid foods—for two or more years.

Most mothers can breastfeed their babies. However, breastfeeding is a skill. Like all skills, it can take time to become comfortable with it. Knowing what to expect can help make learning how to breastfeed a positive experience.

[new]
Keep the following tips in mind as you learn how to breastfeed your baby:

• Be patient and give yourself time to learn. It can take six weeks or more to become comfortable with breastfeeding.
• Set the scene. A calm, quiet setting can help both you and your baby relax, which in turn makes feeding easier.
• Find a comfortable, supportive chair in a room where you will not be interrupted. Sit back. Cuddle your baby. Find a breastfeeding position that works well for both you and your baby.
• Baby knows best. A rigid schedule may not work with your baby’s need to feed. Allow the baby to breastfeed whenever she or he shows signs of hunger.

Common signs of hunger in young babies:

• rooting (searching with an open mouth)
• sucking motions or sucking on a fist, finger or blanket
• looking around

Similarly, end a feeding session when the baby shows signs of fullness, such as:

• letting go of the breast and making no attempt to latch on again
• sucking and swallowing slowly or stopping completely
• baby falls asleep

Look for signs of success. Your baby is receiving the nutrients needed for healthy growth and development if your baby is:

• gradually but consistently gaining weight
• generally content and satisfied
• wetting and soiling several diapers each day
• sucking and swallowing while breastfeeding

[new]
Consider your well-being too. While some discomfort is common when a woman begins to breastfeed, generally you should feel comfortable and be pain-free. If you are not seeing these common signs that breastfeeding is going well, contact your health care provider for advice.

Know How to Use Infant Formula

Breast milk is the optimal food for babies. However, if you decide not to breastfeed or if you are supplementing with breast milk, it’s important to understand how to choose and use an infant formula.

• Offer only an iron-fortified infant formula. 1%, 2%, whole milk (4%) or skim milk, soy or rice beverages, coffee whitener, goat’s milk, or condensed or evaporated (canned) milk do not contain the nutrients that babies need during the first six months of life. These products can also increase the infant’s risk for milk allergies and other gastrointestinal issues. Juice should not be offered to babies who are less than six months old. Alcohol and other beverages, such as tea, pop, coffee, should never be offered to babies. Alcohol can damage a baby’s liver, brain and other essential organs and body systems.  Beverages like tea, pop and coffee con relatively large amounts of caffeine and/or sugar which babies do not process in the same way as adults.
• Follow the instructions. Infant formula comes in several different forms that you need to prepare differently before feeding them to your baby.
  • Read the preparation instructions on the label of the formula very carefully.
  • Prepare the formula EXACTLY as described in the instructions.

Keep in mind that if the preparation instructions ask you to add water, only use sterilized water to mix with the infant formula until your baby is four months old.

• Keep it clean. Sterilize bottles, nipples, lids, measuring cups and any other equipment that comes into contact with infant formula until your baby is at least four months old. To sterilize supplies, completely cover items with water in the pot. Cover the pot and bring water to a boil. Continue to boil for two minutes. Remove items with sterilized tongs.
• Do it right. Never “prop” the baby’s bottle to allow for hands-free feeding. This practice promotes choking and overfeeding. Hold your baby at all times while you feed.
• As with breastfeeding, do not stick to a rigid feeding schedule. Offer a bottle whenever your baby shows signs of hunger and stop feeding when your baby appears content and satisfied.
• NEVER let baby fall asleep with a bottle. This can cause baby’s teeth to rot and increase the chance of ear infections.
• Be safe! NEVER microwave your baby’s bottle. Microwaving can create “hot spots” within a baby bottle that can burn your baby.
• Avoid using baby bottles made with bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is a type of hard plastic that may leech harmful chemicals into infant formula when a bottle is heated. Canada has banned the sale of bottles made with BPA. However, old or secondhand bottles may still contain this compound.

[new]
Safe Storage of Expressed Breast Milk and Infant Formula

Both breast milk and infant formula can become unsafe if they are not safely stored:

• You can express breast milk manually, using your hands in a massaging motion, or by using a breast pump. In both cases, it is important to wash your hands with soap and water BEFORE you begin. You should also wash your hands thoroughly before beginning to prepare infant formula.
• Sterilize all containers that you want to use to store breast milk or infant formula.
• Do not use bottle liners to store breast milk because the plastic liner can destroy some of the milk’s valuable immune properties.
• Label containers with the date to ensure that you are using stored breast milk or formula within the recommended storage times.
• Safe storage times for breast milk:
  • At room temperature for up to 4 hours
  • in a refrigerator for up to two days
  • in the freezer compartment of a one-door refrigerator for up to two weeks
  • in a separate freezer for 3-4 months
  • in a deep freeze for up to 12 months

• Follow the storage instructions on the formula container for prepared formula. As a guide formula made from:
  • Powder – use in 24 hours
  • Concentrate – use in 48 hours
  • Ready-to-use formula – use in 48 hours. 
•  Do not refrigerate unused breast milk or formula in a bottle to offer again later.
• Check the “best before” date printed on cans and tubs of infant formula.  Do not use formula that is past its “best before” date. 
• If in doubt, throw it out! If you cannot verify how long a bottle or container of breast milk or infant formula has been stored, throw it out.

Feeding your baby nutrient-rich foods like breast milk can jumpstart good health. If you choose to offer formula, choose well, and offer only an iron-fortified formula made specifically for babies. Use this special time to bond with your little one and to lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating!

[end page]
Learn More

Breastfeeding Your Baby
Learn the basics of breastfeeding, including how to express and store breast milk safely.

Feeding Baby Infant Formula
Learn how to prepare infant formula and feed it to your baby.

Getting Started with Breastfeeding
HealthyOntario provides information on the health benefits of breastfeeding for babies as well as practical strategies for making breastfeeding a positive bonding experience for parents.