Infant Feeding & Nutrition

What to expect during your first days at home with your new baby. 

Breastfeeding

Breast milk is the best food for your baby and also protects against infections and disease.

Breastfeeding is best for mother’s health too – it reduces her risk of breast cancer and helps to promote return to pre-pregnancy weight. Learn more about feeding your baby. 

Getting started with breastfeeding 

• your baby will breastfeed at least 8 times in 24 hours
• you will hear or see your baby swallow at every feeding
• once your milk is "in" (day 3-4) your breasts will feel full before feeding and softer after feeding
• by Day 2 – at least 2 wet diapers and 1 soiled diaper in 24 hours
• by Day 3 – at least 3 wet diapers and 2 soiled diapers in 24 hours

Keep a record of your baby’s feedings and wet and soiled diapers for the first few days. Check your baby’s weight by 4 to 5 days of age.

Help feeding your baby

Contact your local Public Health Unit if you need extra support with feeding your baby or if you have questions about your health or the health of your baby. 

On weekends you can also call the Infant Feeding and New Parent Support Line : 1-855-339-6825 (Voicemail messages will be returned by a public health nurse within 24 hours.)

Feeding and swallowing services

Feeding and swallowing services are also available to support children and youth with feeding, swallowing and nutrition concerns and provide education for families and partners. Read our Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Services brochure.

Vision

Optimum, health and safety for children and youth with nutrition, feeding and/or swallowing concerns.

Mission

The Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Service is an interdisciplinary team working in collaboration with families and community partners to:

• support best practice in assessment and treatment of children and youth with feeding, swallowing and nutrition concerns
• provide education for families and partners
• contribute to current knowledge in order to support optimum, safe nutritional health for clients

Population Served:

Birth to 19 years of age.

Services are provided for children and youth with:

• significant feeding/mealtime and oral motor challenges
• chronic upper respiratory problems
• poor weight gain and/or failure to thrive
• needs related to their transition from tube to oral feeding

Assessment/Consult Service

Children using this service may be registered with the Early Intervention Program or School Age Program at QACCH. Families/ direct team may be looking for support with:
 

• oral motor development for successful feeding/mealtime experiences
• sensory preferences that affect eating
• transitioning from tube to oral feeding
• mealtime and feeding difficulties associated with medical conditions such as GERD

Infants, children and youth referred to this service, generally do not require consultation with the Pediatrician/Medical Advisor or a Videofluoroscopy Swallow Study (VFSS).

Team may consist of:

• Registered Dietitian
• Registered Speech-Language Pathologist 
• Registered Nurse 
• Occupational Therapist

Services provided include:

• assessment of feeding/mealtime and swallowing difficulties 
• support with transitioning from tube to oral feeding 
• consultation or mentoring with families, caregivers and community professionals  
• educational resources for families and community professionals 

If you are coming for a swallow study with Queen Alexandra Centre, please watch this video for an overview of what to expect. You’ll get to see the machines we use, some of the people you will meet, and the places you will visit.