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Hastings and Prince Edward Public Health
young mother snuggling baby

Feeding Your Baby

Canadian families continue to experience a limited supply of infant formula due to market disruptions following the closure of the Abbott Nutrition manufacturing facility in Sturgis (Michigan, USA) for several months in 2022. These supply issues were at first limited to specialized formula and are now affecting regular infant formula. In particular, regular infant formula powders are often out of stock in various locations across the country.  If you need to switch infant formula brands or types, information on infant formula switching is available on Health Canada’s website.

If you have any concerns about infant formula switching or feeding and would like to speak to a dietitian, please call Health Connect Ontario at 811 or chat online with one of their dietitians at healthconnectontario.health.gov.on.ca/

For information about how to prepare all types of infant formula, see the Best Start booklet Infant Formula What You Need to Know or the video Formula Preparation

If you are combination feeding, or have stopped breastfeeding recently, consider trying to increase your milk production to decrease the need for infant formula. For further breastfeeding support or information, contact the Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, CARELine by calling 613-966-5500, ext. 223 (toll-free at 1-800-267-2803 ext. 223) or email to careline@hpeph.ca

Infant feeding

Breast milk contains everything your baby needs for the first six months of life. The longer a baby is breastfed, the greater the health benefits for both you and your baby. Solid foods can be introduced starting at around six months, when babies show the signs of readiness. Public Health offers services to support healthy infant feeding and introduction of solid foods.

Making an Informed Decision

To help make the best decisions for you and your baby, you need reliable information. More information is available below to help you make an informed decision.

If you have made an informed decision to give your baby breast milk substitute (formula) and would like more information about safe preparation and feeding, call our Child Health CARELine to speak with a Public Health Nurse.

Our Programs and Services

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health has a number of programs and services to help support you in feeding your baby.

Prenatal Education 

Even before your baby is born, parents-to-be can register for our free Prenatal Education Series to learn about parenting, breastfeeding, and labour and birth.

Child Health CARELine

Public Health Nurses are available to answer your questions about infant feeding, parenting, growth and development, and more. Our nurses can also connect you with other programs and services to help support you as a parent.

Call 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803, ext. 223. You can also email the CARELine at CARELine@hpeph.ca.

Breastfeeding Consultations

Breastfeeding is natural, but it can take time to learn. Hastings Prince Edward Public Health offers one-to-one consultations for mothers looking for breastfeeding support. To arrange a breastfeeding consultation, call the Child Health CARELine at 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803, ext. 223, or email us at CARELine@hpeph.ca. More information is available on our Breastfeeding Consultation page.

Request for Support/Information

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) offers free programs and services for pregnant individuals as well as new and experienced parents. Please let us know what topics are of interest to you and your family. HPEPH will call within 3 business days to follow up on your request.

Other Resources

Need More Information About Feeding Your Baby?

Call 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803, ext. 223. You can also email CARELine@hpeph.ca.

News, Research and Reports RELATED TO: Food and Healthy Eating, Family Health

Community Food Assessment

PUBLISHED: Wednesday November 18, 2020

The Real Cost of Eating Well 2018

PUBLISHED: Wednesday January 31, 2018

Food Literacy Report 2017

PUBLISHED: Sunday December 31, 2017

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COVID-19 vaccines in HPE

Eligible individuals can receive their vaccination at many participating local pharmacies by contacting the pharmacy directly. Please visit covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations for location and registration information.

Vaccine ordering for health care providers

Vaccine orders for routine immunizations and STI medications continue to be available through HPEPH by using our vaccine order forms; however, please note that our vaccine delivery/pickup procedure has changed. For the most up to date pick up schedule please visit hpePublicHealth.ca/vaccine-orders-info-healthcare-providers/.