There are reasons that parents decide to supplement. We hope that if you chose to use formula, you have all the information you need to feel comfortable with your feeding decision.  

Research tells us that it is important that all families making decisions about formula have the following information.i support you _free

  • If your baby needs to be supplemented, expressed breastmilk is the best choice.
  • Giving infant formula to a breastfed baby can reduce your milk supply.  There are a number of options for supplementing your baby if you are unable to directly breastfeed- a bottle with formula is only one of them. 
  • Formula fed infants are more at risk for infections such as ear, chest and bladder infections, upset stomach and gut, causing diarrhea and later problems, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), obesity and chronic illnesses later in life and some childhood cancers.  
  • For mothers NOT breastfeeding increases their risk of postpartum bleeding, type 2 diabetes and postpartum depression. 
  • To decide if infant formula is a good choice for you, it is important that you consider the following:
  • the cost of using formula, especially if you are using formula for a long period
  • if you are hoping to return to breastfeeding, what is the plan to achieve this?
  • reducing the risks of formula feeding – learn about cue based feeding
  • proper preparation and storage of formula 

The members of  Breastfeeding Niagara and your healthcare providers should support your decision to breastfeed or formula feed.  We know that parenting is hard and often decisions are made based on many factors. 

No matter what you choose…WE SUPPORT YOU! 

If you would like to speak with a public health nurse about seeing someone who can assist you with your feeding decision, have a question or want to learn more about formula feeding please call:

Niagara Parents

Hours of Operation and Contact Information:
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
905-684-7555, or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7555

This picture on this page is from the #isupportyou campaign.  We recognize that all mothers make the decisions that they feel are best for their babies.  We hope we can help you to achieve your breastfeeding goals, but if you make an informed decision to use formula, we will be there to support you in that decsion as well.

Reviewed
May 2020 - KS