Most moms know breast is best when feeding baby but it isn't always the easiest.
Dr. Catherine Pound, a Pediatrician at CHEO, says moms who are struggling should get help through Ottawa Public Health or a private lactation consultant.
“There's not enough support,” says Dr. Pound, “We put the onus on the mom and say you should breast-feed but we aren't giving them the tools.”
Ideally, Dr. Pound says, babies should be exclusively breast-fed for the first 6 months. Then begin introducing solids.
Dr. Pound says, “The most important thing to get into your child at 6 months is iron. Through fortified cereal, or meat is also good. There is no reason to delay meat until they are one year.”
There are short and long-term health benefits for breastfed babies, including lower infection rates for infants, a decrease in obesity, and higher developmental scores.
Dr. Pound says babies under 1-year should not have honey because of a potential toxin. She says all allergenic foods, including nuts, can be introduced in the first year.
“A child is going to be allergic whether you introduce it at 9 months or 2 years.” Says Dr. Pound.
CTV's Natalie Pierosara will have a full report tonight in our CHEO Healthy Kids segment.
