7 reasons to keep breastfeeding

While most women around the world breastfeed their babies in the early months, breastfeeding rates at 12 months of age vary widely. With the Health Canada recommendation to breastfeed for 24 months or longer, there is every reason to carry on for as long as it works for you both.

Did you know? Offering sugary drinks to your baby adds extra calories to their diet and makes tooth decay more likely. It can also mean they drink less of the breast milk and water they need for healthy growth and development.  

How to Know if Breastfed Baby is Full? The longer a mom breastfeeds, the more she responds to her baby’s signs of fullness.

It’s easy to fall into the habit of offering your baby the same foods every day, especially if you know they’ll happily eat them. Here are some simple ideas for expanding your little one’s diet without compromising on those all-important nutrients.

Keep these instructions handy on your mobile or printed. This checklist will help you shop, store, cook and reheat your baby's food safely.

Breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months, and sustained for up to two years or longer with appropriate complementary feeding is important for the nutrition, immunologic protection, growth, and development of infants and toddlers and has many benefits for you as well.

Did you know? In many countries, pre-packaged baby food has to meet strict safety standards.

Formula. It’s full of nutrition—but how you prep and store it can serve up some questions, too.

Did you know? Your baby may need to eat three meals and two mini meals each day.

By Charlotte Geroudet, Registered Dietitian

Follow these stay-safe principles when you’re shopping or preparing food for your baby.

By Dr. Ted Jablonski, family physician

Bringing a baby into this world can make new parents think about the future of the planet, and how they can lessen their impact for generations to come. Here are five ways some parents shop and eat more consciously to help support the world’s resources and environment. 

Yes, it seems like another pregnancy miracle, but it’s true—your body produces the perfect baby food: Breast milk. For starters, learn as much as you can even before baby arrives (it’s an ideal part of you being prepared to breastfeed)—and follow this guide! You’ll be aware of common challenges and feel ready to get this wonderful bonding experience off to a good start for both you and your baby.

Focus on your baby’s nutrition by offering them smart eating choices in between mealtimes.

Now that your baby is eight to 10 months old, has enjoyed their first tastes, and is becoming more experienced at eating, it’s time to move on to lumpy foods and helping them learn to feed themself.

By Dr. Ted Jablonski, family physician

Did you know? In a global survey, 30% of respondents looked for organic qualities when shopping.

The way young children are fed may be as important as the food offered