For some babies, feeding doesn’t always happen directly at the breast. There may be a number of reasons why this is so. Other feeding methods can help families meet their infant feeding goals, including using:
- Freshly expressed breast milk from baby’s own parent
- Frozen expressed breast milk from baby’s own parent
- Pasteurized donor human milk
- Store-bought infant formula
No matter the method of feeding, it’s important that families know about the importance of skin-to-skin contact, how to respond to their baby’s hunger and fullness cues, and how to access professional and peer support. We want all families to feel safe and confident feeding their babies. If you need additional help with breastfeeding, professional and community-based supports are available.
Featured resources
- Alternative feeding methods for newborns (video) – HealthyFamilies BC
- The third option - exclusive pumping (PDF) – La Leche League NZ
- For families feeding with infant formula, please see nutrition in the first year for more information
Featured NH stories
For more information
- Email us at NHBreastfeeding@northernhealth.ca
- Reach out to Northern Health for help with breastfeeding if you have any questions or concerns
- Contact the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) Maternal and Child Health Program for breastfeeding supports in local First Nations communities
- Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (or 1-604-215-8110) to reach a nurse, dietitian, pharmacist, or exercise professional
- Connect with a La Leche League leader for mother-to-mother/parent-to-parent peer support