Infant Feeding

person holding a small child

Quick Facts

  • Both breastfeeding (sometimes referred to as chestfeeding or bodyfeeding) and formula feeding are effective ways of providing infants with the nutrients they need for their growing bodies
  • The World Health Organization and the Canadian Pediatric Society recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods for 2 years and beyond
  • Families should choose the method that works best for their situation without judgement or stigma.
  • The decision as to which feeding method a caregiver/parent chooses is based on various personal, cultural, and situational reasons—what works for one family may not work for another
  • Regardless of which method is used to feed an infant, it is essential that the parent/caregiver feels supported
  • Support and information can be found from Public Health Nursing, Family Resource Centres, and the PEI Breastfeeding Coalition

The Longer Story

Infants require special feeding considerations to ensure healthy growth and development. Both breastfeeding (sometimes referred to as “chestfeeding” or “bodyfeeding”) and formula feeding are effective ways of providing infants with the nutrients they require.

Some people may combine breastfeeding/chestfeeding with formula feeding, some others may exclusively breastfeed/chestfeed, while others may exclusively formula feed. People should feel supported in their choice.

The World Health Organization and the Canadian Paediatric Society recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods for 2 years and beyond.

Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding

Caregivers/parents who opt to breastfeed/chestfeed may do so because:

  • It allows for skin-to-skin contact
  • It can take less time to prepare than formula feeding
  • It is less costly than formula
  • It typically provides infants with many essential nutrients in the correct quantities
  • It provides unique immunological and developmental benefits
  • It can reduce a woman’s risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease
  • It reduces an infant’s risk of developing asthma, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), ear infections, lung infections, and diabetes
  • Of cultural norms

To support feeding via breastfeeding/chestfeeding, it’s essential to support the feeding parent/caregiver. Assuming no other health conditions affect milk production, feeding can be enhanced by paying attention to the parent’s diet, environment, sleep, and comfortable positioning.

It’s also possible for a non-milk producing parent to participate in breastfeeding. They can support the feeding parent, helping to meet their dietary and comfort needs, and they can also use a bottle to feed the infant breast milk, if pumping is an available option.

Breastfeeding families may also experience barriers such as limited workplace accommodations or discomfort feeding in public. It is important that breast/chest feeding parents feel supported in their journey.

Formula Feeding

Caregivers/parents who opt to formula feed may do so because:

  • It’s convenient - anyone can feed baby
  • A return-to-work schedule or other scheduling demands that would make breastfeeding/chestfeeding a challenge
  • Health issues that prevent breastfeeding (issues with lactation or latching) or health issues that make adhering to a schedule difficult
  • Health issues that require a parent to take medication that could be harmful if consumed by the infant
  • Of cultural norms

To support feeding via formula, it’s important to reduce stigma. Often, new parents will hear messages suggesting that breastfeeding is the better option. While there are important benefits to breastfeeding/chestfeeding, it is not the right choice for everyone. Some people may not be able to physically breastfeed/chestfeed. Parents and caregivers who choose to use formula need to feel supported in their decision and not shamed.

Infant feeding and trans and gender diverse parents

There is a need for more research around infant feeding for trans and gender diverse parents. From UK-based research, it’s been found that: “Trans parents have reported receiving a lack of information about the birthing and bodyfeeding process and they are more likely to say they did not receive support and encouragement when contacting a midwifery or health visiting team.”

Inclusive language is an important element of care for trans and gender diverse parents. Healthcare providers can help by respectfully asking a person’s pronouns and what parenting term they would like to be called, e.g., not assuming every birthing parent is going to be called “Mom”.

More information on bodyfeeding for trans and gender diverse parents can be found here.

Resources for infant feeding

More information can be found via the following resources: