Health Information A-Z   >  Infant and Child Health

Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding

Breastfeeding offers many benefits to both mothers and babies.
Breastmilk is so important that it is the only food or drink your baby needs for the first six months of life. Along with the introduction of solid foods at six months, Health Canada recommends breastfeeding for two years and beyond. In Canada, between 2005 and 2009, 87% of women 15 to 55 years of age breastfed their most recent baby (Statistics Canada, 2010). Between 2003 and 2007, approximately half of Ontario mothers breastfed their most recent baby for a duration of 6 months or more (Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, 2009).

The Healthy Babies Healthy Children program offered through the Perth District Health Unit supports and encourages mothers who are breastfeeding. A Public Health Nurse will call you within a few days of leaving the hospital to answer your questions about breastfeeding and help you find community services in Perth County that meet your needs. A home visit may also be offered at this time.

Breastfeeding Displays are available for loan from PDHU. To book a display, contact Health Line at 519-271-7600 ext. 267 or toll free at 1-877-271-7348 ext. 267.
There are two pull-up, free-standing poster-displays available:
1) Plan to Breastfeed (PDF)
This display promotes planning and making the decision to breastfeed for a healthy baby and mother.
2) Breastfeeding: Environmentally Friendly (PDF)
This display promotes the environmental benefits of breastfeeding.

Where to turn for... Breastfeeding Information and Support in Perth County (PDF)

Other Helpful Resources
Pamphlets/Brochures
Breastfeeding and Contraception (Birth Control) (PDF)
This pamphlet tells you about the different options available to you to prevent pregnancy if you are currently breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding and Returning to Work or School (PDF)
This pamphlet offers tips to help you to continue to breastfeed when you return to work and/or school.

Breastfeeding Your Baby (PDF)
This booklet describes the benefits of breastfeeding for both you and your baby. It offers helpful information on how to successfully breastfeed. Topics include initiating, positioning, knowing how to tell if your baby is getting enough to eat, storing and expressing breast milk and more. Be sure to check out the final page of this resource for information about Breastfeeding/New Baby Clinics offered through the Perth County hospitals and who to call when you have questions about breastfeeding

10 Great Reasons to Breastfeed Your Baby (PDF)
This Health Canada pamphlet explains why breastfeeding is best for both you andf your baby, providing ten great reasons to breastfeed your baby.

Web sites
About Kids Health
Developed by The Hospital for Sick Children, this website provides information on various questions and concerns that parents may have. For more information about any of the following breastfeeding topics, just enter in the web site’s search box:

• Breast Engorgement


• Breast Infection (Mastitis)


• Breast Milk: Storage and Handling at Home


• Breastfeeding Essentials


• Breastfeeding Evaluation


• Breastfeeding Problems: Plugged Ducts


• Breastfeeding to Bottle Feeding


• Breastfeeding: General Recommendations


• Breastfeeding: Increasing your Milk Supply


• Breastfeeding: Let Down Reflex (Milk Ejection Reflex)

[ Previous Screen ]

If you have a concern about access to our services, please let us know. We want to help!

For more information, contact Health Line at 519-271-7600 ext 267.
Listowel area residents call 1-877-271-7348.