Public Health Infant Feeding Support

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Free support for breastfeeding, chestfeeding and formula feeding

Feeding your baby is one of the most intimate and powerful parts of becoming a parent. In Nova Scotia, you have a team by your side.  

Early Years Public Health Nurses are specially trained in breastfeeding, chestfeeding and baby formula support. Whether you are pregnant and deciding how to feed your baby, or your baby has arrived and you need support or have questions, a Public Health Nurse can help. 

How do I access this support?

Whether it’s in your home, in the community, or over the phone, Public Health Nurses provide compassionate and non-judgmental care to help you feel confident, informed, and supported every step of the way.  

If you have already been in contact with a Public Health Nurse during your current pregnancy or after the birth of your baby, they can provide feeding support. Feel free to talk with them.  

If you have not been contacted yet, you can self-refer by calling the number for your local Early Years team:

Central Zone Early Years 
Halifax area, Eastern Shore, West Hants 
902-481-4967/1-800-430-9557 (Toll Free) 
earlyyearscz@nshealth.ca

Eastern Zone Early Years 
Cape Breton, Guysborough, Antigonish 
earlyyearsez@nshealth.ca

Northern Zone Early Years 
Colchester-East Hants, Cumberland, Pictou 
902-667-3319 
nzeynurses@nshealth.ca

Western Zone Early Years 
Annapolis Valley, South Shore, South West 
1-833-601-0949 (Toll Free) 
earlyyearswz@nshealth.ca 

Referrals can also be made by family doctors, nurse practitioners or family practice nurses, and community organizations like family resource centres. If you are a provider or partner, you can find more information about referrals here.

What support is offered by Public Health Nurses?

Public Health Nurses can help you create a feeding plan that aligns with your values and lifestyle, and work with you to reach your feeding goals. This includes looking at your different options for feeding, like breastfeeding, chestfeeding, formula feeding, or a mix of each. The plan will help you decide how you want to feed your baby so you can feel more confident and prepared. 

Public Health Nurses understand that infant feeding questions don’t stop after the first few days or weeks and that every family’s needs are different. The following supports are available when you need them:  

• One-on-one feeding assessments 
• Help with latching and positioning for breastfeeding or chestfeeding
• Support to determine if your baby is getting enough milk 
• Solutions for common feeding challenges 
• Guidance on pumping, milk expression and safe storage of milk 
• Tips for feeding while returning to work 
• Education on newborn feeding behaviours 
• Support for bonding and responsive, cue-based feeding 
• Support for safe formula preparation and feeding 
• Help connecting you with community and healthcare services and resources 

Additional breastfeeding, chestfeeding and formula feeding resources

Information to help you decide how to feed your baby can be found in our Feeding Decision Resource. There you can access key information about different feeding options, see questions to ask yourself and your healthcare providers, and create a plan for feeding your baby.

Information on breastfeeding can be found in our Breastfeeding Basics booklet and on the La Leche League Canada website. There you can access helplines across the country, ask questions online, search for a leader in your province and share your feeding and parenting stories with others.

Information on baby formula can be found in our Infant Formula: What You Need to Know booklet, which has been developed for parents who have made an informed decision to feed their baby with infant formula. It tells you what you need to know to feed your baby safely.

Information on infant feeding in an emergency can be found on this dedicated webpage. People who care for infants should have a plan for how to feed your baby in the event of an emergency or power outage.