Content Map Terms
Last updated: December 3, 2024
Overview
Breast/chest milk provides all of the nutrition that your baby needs. Most healthcare providers recommend that you exclusively breastfeed or chestfeed your baby for the first 6 months. Find information and resources to support you with breastfeeding or chestfeeding your baby.
Chestfeeding is a term that is becoming more commonly used when discussing infant feeding. It’s often used by trans-masculine or non-binary parents to describe how they feed their baby from their bodies. Both chestfeeding and breastfeeding are used below to ensure that all parents feel represented and included.
Breastfeeding basics
Breastfeeding or chestfeeding is a skill that takes practice. Find advice on latching, positions and more:
- Breastfeeding or chestfeeding (HealthLinkBC File #70)
- Breastfeeding
- Learning basics of breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding positions
- A video on breastfeeding positions
- Common breastfeeding positions
- A video on breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact
- FAQs about breastfeeding
- Learning to latch
- Latching your baby - video
- What you need to know about supplementing baby formula
- Breastfeeding your toddler
- Breastfeeding: Weaning a baby
Tips for breastfeeding or chestfeeding
Read helpful tips for different feeding situations:
- Quick tips: Successful breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding: Waking your baby
- Breastfeeding: When baby doesn't want to stop
- Signs that your baby is getting enough breast milk
- Breastfeeding at work
- Getting comfortable breastfeeding in public
- Breastfeeding your newborn and an older child
- Breastfeeding during pregnancy
- Breastfeeding multiple infants
- Breastfeeding: Planning ahead
- Hospital policies and breastfeeding
Supplements and medicines
Many medicines are safe to use while breastfeeding. Consult your healthcare provider if you are taking a medication or considering a supplement while you breastfeed. Learn more:
Storing and expressing milk
Learn more about how to express and store your breast or chest milk:
Milk supply
Learn more about managing your supply and milk production.
Challenges and concerns
Learn about challenges you may encounter while breastfeeding or chestfeeding your baby.
- Common breastfeeding concerns
- Mastitis while breastfeeding
- Preventing mastitis
- Plugged milk ducts when you're breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding a sick baby
- Breastfeeding after a c-section
- Breast surgery and breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding after breast surgery
- Breastfeeding when you have diabetes
- Breastfeeding: tobacco, alcohol, and drugs
- Coping with thrush when you’re breastfeeding
- Nipple shields for breastfeeding problems
- Breastfeeding with inverted nipples
- Breastfeeding: Baby's poor weight gain