IWK Health promotes, protects, and supports breastfeeding.
All of the Nurses that work on the Family & Newborn Care Unit can assist you with breastfeeding.
Why breastfeed?
- Parent’s own milk is the best nutrition and provides specific immune protection for the baby.
- Breast milk contains a wide variety of nutrients, antibodies, hormones, and growth factors that support growth and development.
- Breast milk coats and protects the gastrointestinal tract and decreases the risk or severity of bowel disease known as Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC).
- Breast milk promotes the maturation of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Breast milk is easily digested and well tolerated.
- Breast milk positively affects long term neurodevelopment.
- Breast milk decreases the risk of many other health outcomes such as diabetes, allergies and asthma.
- Breast milk prevents exposure to large volumes of cows’ milk protein found in formula
Skin to skin
Uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact with parents is recommended immediately after birth:
- ideally until your baby has had a first feed
- for at least one hour
- continued during the newborn period
- partners are also able to provide skin-to-skin
Special Circumstances
Expressing Milk for Your Baby
Electric Breast Pump Rentals
Electric breast pumps and breastfeeding supplies are available at a number of local pharmacies.
Resources
3 Clinics, Programs or Services
Newborn Screening
Newborn screening helps ensure the health of all newborns by testing them using four different types of screening tests. How we help All newborns receive...
Offered at 1 Location
Post Partum After-Birth Unit (Family Newborn Care Unit)
The Family Newborn Care Unit helps by providing a safe and comfortable environment for staff to assess and care for families and babies after birth...
Offered at 1 Location