Frequently Asked Questions and Answers - Breastfeeding

Your baby should be seen by a nurse, midwife, lactation consultant or doctor 3-5 days after leaving the hospital. Your baby should then have a second check-up within 7 days after birth. This second check-up should be with your doctor.

More milk will be made when your baby breastfeeds more often and has a good latch and good suck. Most mothers have more than enough breast milk to feed their baby.

Growth spurts are times when your baby is growing quickly and will need to breastfeed more often. They happen at about 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and later. Growth spurts often last for a few days or for longer periods of time. Breastfeeding more often will make more milk for your baby.

Signs that your baby is hungry and needs to be breastfed:

• fast eye movements under the eyelids as he begins to wake up to feed.
• sucking and licking movements of the mouth.
• putting hands to the mouth.
• stretching and increased body movements.
• making small sounds.

Breastfeed your baby when baby is calm and before baby is too hungry and crying.

Toronto Public Health and the World Health Organization recommend giving only breast milk for the first 6 months. There is no "right time" to stop breastfeeding. After 6 months breastfeeding should be continued for 2 years or more and babies should be given other foods.

Health Canada recommends giving all breastfed babies vitamin D drops. Talk to your primary health care provider about this.

In almost all cases it is safe to continue breastfeeding. Call Motherisk (416-813-6780) or a Breastfeeding Clinic for more information.

In almost all cases it is safe to continue breastfeeding. If you are sick call your primary health care provider.

Eat meals and snacks based on Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide. When you are breastfeeding include an extra 2–3 Food Guide Servings every day. Remember to choose a variety of foods. Eat when you are hungry and stop when you feel full. Drink when you are thirsty.

Call:

Toronto Health Connection
Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding holidays)
416-338-7600

Or

Telehealth
24 hours per day
7 days per week
1-866-797-0000