You may not be able to or choose not to breastfeed. 

If you have enough information to make an informed decision to formula-feed your baby, we want to support and help you to do so.

Sometimes parents who have decided to formula-feed their babies wonder if the Baby-Friendly Initiative applies to them. The answer is yes. 

Skin-to-skin care (STS) is important for all babies. STS care immediately after birth helps babies recover from their birth – they are warmer, less stressed and cry less. It helps their heart rate and breathing. As your baby grows, continue skin-to-skin holding every day for the first month or so and whenever your baby needs comfort. Your partner or another trusted person can hold your baby skin-to-skin and provide your baby with some of the same benefits. Regardless of how you feed your baby, cuddle your baby STS to enjoy the amazing benefits.

When using a bottle, use responsive bottle feeding. Responsive bottle feeding is thought to be less stressful for your baby, reduces the risk of overfeeding, and more closely mimics breastfeeding than traditional bottle feeding.