Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Purpose & Scope

  • The purpose of this guideline is to enhance the quality of practice of nurses, the interprofessional team, and peers, to support (a) breastfeeding initiation, (b) exclusivity for newborns and infants to six months of age, and (c) continuation for infants and young children to two years or longer, in addition to complementary feeding. Peers are defined as individuals who work independently or in collaboration with nurses and the interprofessional team to support positive breastfeeding outcomes.
  • It is intended to be used in a variety of practice settings accessed by the breastfeeding person.
  • The term breastfeeding person is used in this guideline and refers to the lactating person who is providing breast milk, either directly or indirectly, to a newborn, infant, or young child. The term supports diversity and may include (but is not limited to) the following terms: mother, parent, woman, surrogate, human milk bank donor, or a person who is pumping and feeding EBM.
Women and Children
Breastfeeding Best Practice Guidelines for Nurses
Background Information