- Nearly all healthy term infants can breastfeed.
- The targets of breastfeeding are:
- Initiation within the first hour after birth or once the breastfeeding dyad is clinically stable,
- Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and
- Continued breastfeeding to two years or longer as determined by the breastfeeding dyad.
- Exclusive breastfeeding to six months is the most favourable infant feeding practice to promote healthy outcomes for newborns and infants.
- Nurses, the interprofessional team, and peers play an integral role in supporting the initiation, exclusivity, and continuation of breastfeeding.
- Breastfeeding promotion is achieved through the consistent implementation of evidence-based practice, the interprofessional team, and peers.
Women and Children
Breastfeeding Best Practice Guidelines for Nurses
Background Information