LibGuides: Pregnancy and Newborn Care: Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding

Baby-Friendly Initiative

The Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) is a global standard established in 1991 by the WHO (World Health Organization) and UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund). The BFI supports breastfeeding in hospitals and health centres.

It is based on 10 best practices which are proven to have a positive effect on breastfeeding success. BFI practices support all families in making informed decisions about feeding, regardless of their decision.

Baby-Friendly Initiative
Nova Scotia Health

Infant Feeding Resources

Breastfeeding Basics
Information for parents who breastfeed/chestfeed their babies, and for people deciding if this is the right choice for them.
Breastfeeding Matters: An important guide for breastfeeding families
A guide for new and future parents to support informed decision-making about breastfeeding (available in 17 other languages).
La Leche League Canada
Information about breastfeeding. Find leaders in your area and groups across the country, ask questions online, and share your stories with others.
Infant Feeding: Emergency Preparedness for Parents and Caregivers
Learn how to make a plan for feeding your baby if there is an emergency or a power outage.
Signs That Feeding is Going Well
This sheet gives information on how often to breastfeed, as well as your baby’s tummy size, number of diapers, and weight.
Breastfeeding Your Late Preterm Baby
This booklet gives information on breastfeeding and/or giving breast milk to your late preterm baby (available in 17 other languages).
Mixing Alcohol and Breastfeeding
This printer-friendly handout gives information about the risks of alcohol use when breastfeeding (available in 11 other languages).
Infant Feeding
IWK Health
Infant Formula: What You Need to Know
This booklet explains how to use infant formula to feed your baby, including how to decide whether to formula-feed your baby, how to choose and prepare formula, and how to safely feed your baby.

From the Public Health Agency of Canada

The following resources explain why breastfeeding is important and offer helpful tips:

Patient Pamphlets

Hand Expressing Breast Milk Before Your Baby is Born
This pamphlet explains the steps to hand express breast milk. A video is listed to help you with the basics. Instructions for how to bring your breast milk to the hospital are given.
Soothers - Cape Breton Regional Hospital
This pamphlet gives information about the use of soothers (also called as pacifiers). Topics include breastfeeding, risks, tips before offering a soother, things to keep in mind, and care instructions.
Your Baby's Second Night
This pamphlet explains the challenges you may experience 24 hours (1 day) after your baby is born and includes ways to comfort your baby. As you get to know your baby's behaviours, you will start to see that they are most comforted by snuggling up to you at your breast/chest (also available in French).