IWK Health promotes, protects, and supports breastfeeding.
The nurses that work on the Family Newborn Care Unit can assist you with breastfeeding while you are in the hospital.
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
Electric Breast Pump Rentals
Electric breast pumps and breastfeeding supplies are available at a number of local pharmacies.
Patient Education Resources
3 Clinics, Programs or Services
Family Newborn Care Unit
The Family Newborn Care Unit provides a safe and comfortable environment for staff to assess and care for families and babies after birth. This care...
Offered at 1 Location
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