Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Guiding Principles

  • 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