This fact sheet is part of a series of 7 Infant Sleep Messages that provide tips and practical suggestions for parents and caregivers of infants aged 0-12 months on healthy and safe sleep. The tips support the current recommendations on how to reduce the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant death. These messages are consistent with the information provided in the Sleep Well, Sleep Safe booklet (in English and French).
This particular tip sheet provides information on the beneficial effects of exclusive breastfeeding against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). It is also available in French.
How to use these tips:
Share the tips through your Facebook pages.
Send the tips via Twitter.
Create links from your website to the tips.
Print the documents and use them as handouts.
Use the text in your parent newsletters.
Here are all the Infant Sleep Messages (available in English and French):
The safest place for an infant to sleep : Did you know that the safest place for an infant to sleep is in a crib, cradle or bassinet?
Attachment and sleep : Did you know that your infant needs your loving care to better develop healthy sleep habits?
Establishing routines : Did you know that routines are important to help infants sleep well?
Creating safe sleep environments : Did you know that creating safe sleep environments will reduce the risks of infant death?
Breastfeeding and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome : Did you know that breastfeeding reduces the risks of SIDS?
Alcohol/drug misuse and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome : Did you know that avoiding alcohol and drug misuse can reduce the risk of infant death?
Smoking and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome : Did you know that preventing exposure to tobacco smoke, during pregnancy or after pregnancy, reduces the risk of SIDS?
The Breastfeeding Wellness tip sheet (Allaitement et bien-être in French) was originally developed in English by the First Nation Health Authority, and adapted in English and French by Best Start by Health Nexus for Breastfeeding Week 2019. This beautifully illustrated tip sheet offers families an Indigenous perspective on breastfeeding, with universal messages such as “Breast milk is the first traditional food” and “Breast milk flows through our ancestors to our future generations.”
The powerful messages of this tip sheet can be further supported by displaying the Breastfeeding Wellness poster series (in English and French).
Adapted from the sections on breastfeeding and postpartum from the resource A Healthy Start for Baby and Me, this low literacy guide for pregnant and new parents answers common questions about what to expect from birth during the early postpartum weeks. This booklet includes information about the potential impact of COVID-19. This guide will also serve as a useful tool for prenatal educators on topics related to postpartum.
Adapted from the sections on breastfeeding and postpartum from the resource A Healthy Start for Baby and Me, this low literacy guide for pregnant and new parents answers common questions about what to expect from birth during the early postpartum weeks. This booklet includes information about the potential impact of COVID-19. This guide will also serve as a useful tool for prenatal educators on topics related to postpartum.
Information is presented by a midwife and a lactation consultant. Question from parents are answered by the experts and a number of current online resources are shared.
The COVID-19 pandemic raises many questions for expectant and new parents. Concerns and changes in practice regarding pregnancy, birth, newborn care, breastfeeding and skin-to-skin are discussed.
Developed by the BFI Strategy for Ontario, the Breastfeeding your Early Preterm Baby booklet supports families who have an early preterm baby born prior to 34 weeks gestation who plan to breastfeed and/or provide breast milk to their baby.
Topics include: breastfeeding your preterm baby, skin-to-skin contact and Kangaroo care, tips to getting off to a good start, pumping, feeding your baby at the hospital and tips for when you take your baby home.
This small table is a teaching aid for pregnant or new mothers in the first few weeks of their breastfeeding journey. Colourful graphics with minimal text provide an at-a-glance look that new parents find particularly helpful.
Provides information on Breastfeeding frequency, tummy size, number of diapers, and baby weight.
Print it so they can hang it on their fridge door!
This foldable crib card was developed by the BFI Strategy for Ontario and is also available on the Breastfeeding Resources Ontario website. The crib card is a keepsake for families and a teaching aid for providers. The six panel card is gender neutral, and replaces formula-sponsored cards. It uses simple language with illustrations on key aspects of BFI-related postpartum care to all families regardless of their infant-feeding decision. Hospitals can personalize it by adding a 1.5in X 1.5in label (Avery 22805) with local supports. The accompanying Health Care Provider BFI Crib Card Teaching Guide (also in French) provides consistent background information and key messages to support health teaching to families.
Developed with the support of LCBO, this handout for new parents is printer-friendly and in plain language. It provides information about the risks associated with alcohol use while breastfeeding, tips to reduce one’s alcohol consumption, and places to get help. It aims at helping them help them make an informed choice when it comes to drinking alcohol while breastfeeding.
