As a health care provider, you can play an important role in promoting and supporting families who want to give their children the gift of breast milk.
Breastfeeding services
- Telephone counselling: Toronto Public Health Nurses provide information to families to make an informed decision about exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding with the introduction of iron-rich complementary foods for two years and beyond. Public Health Nurses can also answer your breastfeeding questions and concerns.
- Home visiting: Mothers experiencing difficulty with breastfeeding can receive home visits from a Public Health Nurse to assist with the establishment of effective pain-free breastfeeding.
- Breastfeeding clinics and groups: Public Health Nurses can link and refer families to the appropriate resources that support breastfeeding. These include:
- Prenatal groups
- Parenting groups
- Breastfeeding clinics
For more information call
Toronto Health Connection
416-338-7600
Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Resources for health care providers
- Breastfeeding in Toronto: promoting supportive environments
This report identifies rates and patterns of breastfeeding among first-time Toronto mothers and explores factors associated with breastfeeding, including hospital and community-related factors. - Breastfeeding protocols for health care providers (PDF)
These protocols are in intended for use by health care providers to promote, protect and support effective breastfeeding for the families of healthy term infants. - Breastfeeding your baby (PDF)
This booklet is a guide to breastfeeding your baby. This resource is available in a number of languages. To obtain copies of this resource, please contact Toronto Health Connection at 416-338-7600. - Breastfeeding and contraception methods: a guide for health workers
This information sheet outlines contraception methods that are compatible with breastfeeding. - Board of Health Reports
- Breastfeeding in Public (PDF)
- Breastfeeding Promotion in Toronto (PDF)
- Composition of Breastmilk Compared to Infant Formula(PDF)
- Supporting Breastfeeding in Toronto (PDF)
- Health Canada
Related links
Disclaimer: Links to sites external to the Toronto Public Health Web site are provided as a convenience and their inclusion does not imply that Toronto Public Health endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content or use of these sites.
Canadian links
- Breastfeeding Committee for Canada
The national committee works to protect and support breastfeeding as the national method of infant feeding and the implementation of Baby-Friendly Initiative. - Canadian Lactation Consultants Association
A non profit association for those interested in the promotion, support and protection of breastfeeding. - INFACT Canada
A national non-government organization that works to protect infants, young children, and mother's health by promoting and supporting breastfeeding. - La Leche League Canada
Offers breastfeeding information and support to give babies the best start. - Motherisk
The Breastfeeding Program at The Hospital for Sick Children is a combined effort of the Motherisk Program, the Division of General Pediatrics, and the Neonatal ICU of the hospital. The Program provides clinical services, organizes educational activities and conducts research.
International links
- International Baby Food Action Network
Public interest groups working around the world to reduce infants and young children morbidity and mortality by promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding and optimal infant feeding practices. - La Leche League
An international organization dedicated to providing education, information, support and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed. - World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action
A global network of individuals and organizations concerned with the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding worldwide. - World Health Organization
A specialized agency of the United Nation that is the authority on international public health.
Last updated June 2010