Feeding Your Newborn Baby

Feeding your baby is more than providing nourishment, it is a way to bond, develop trust and communication as well as teach healthy, positive feelings about food.

In the first 6 months, the only food your baby needs is breast milk. Health Canada recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. If you are not breastfeeding you should offer iron-fortified infant formula instead. Babies do not need additional fluids, like water or juice before 6 months of age. 

Feed your baby based on their cues for hunger and not according to a schedule or chart. If your baby is showing signs of hunger, offer the baby breast milk, or if not breastfeeding, iron-fortified infant formula. While feeding your baby, it is important to hold your baby and make eye contact.

For information, support or to attend a breastfeeding clinic, call York Region Community and Health Services Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653. We also provide a series of breastfeeding fact sheets and resources to support breastfeeding moms. 

If you are offering your baby breast milk or formula from a bottle and have questions or would like more information or written resources call Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653. 

Vitamin D and Your Baby

All babies living in Canada need vitamin D. Health Canada recommends that all healthy babies who are exclusively breastfed should receive 400 IU of vitamin D daily from birth until the age of 1 year.   

Vitamin D is often called the 'sunshine' vitamin because skin uses sunshine (UV light) to make vitamin D. It is important for the development of bones and providing protection against rickets. New research also suggests vitamin D may play a role in protecting against the development of other diseases.

Infants require a vitamin D supplement because they are not eating food or drinking beverages fortified with vitamin D and they are often kept out of the sun to protect their very sensitive skin. Infants need to be protected against vitamin D deficiency as they continue to grow.

If your baby is drinking a combination of breast milk and infant formula, a vitamin D supplement may still be needed.

Vitamin D is added to infant formula, so some babies who are fed infant formula do not require additional supplement.  However, if your baby is drinking less than 32 oz (1000ml) of formula a day, a vitamin D supplement is advised.

For more information on giving your baby a vitamin D supplement or for the different types of vitamin D supplements available, read our fact sheet Vitamin D and Your Baby.  You can also speak to your baby's doctor, pharmacist or call EatRight Ontario at 1-877-510-5102 to speak to a registered dietitian.

Iron

Iron is an important nutrient for your baby. Healthy babies born at full-term have enough iron stored in their systems. In addition, breast milk contains small amounts of iron that is absorbed well. If you are not breastfeeding, it is important to provide your baby with an iron fortified infant formula. Since a baby's iron stores last up to 6 months, it is important to start solid foods at 6 months. 

For more information about iron and your newborn baby, you can visit EatRight Ontario or call 1-877-510-5102 to speak with a registered dietitian. 

Additional Resources:

A complete listing of all fact sheets and resources on feeding your baby during the first year is available on the Nutrition Services Fact Sheets and Resources Page. Many of the fact sheets and resources are available in English and in a variety of other languages.

Health Canada: Health Canada 's website on vitamin D recommendations