Feeding

Feeding your baby a healthy diet is important to their overall growth and development. Learn about the health benefits associated with breastfeeding, when to transition to solid food and how to ensure your baby is getting the proper nutrients.

Introducing solid food

Once your child reaches 6 months of age, you can start introducing solid foods. By 6 months, babies need extra iron and other nutrients from solid food for healthy growth and development. Review the infant nutrition guides from Health Canada to learn more about feeding your child.

Your baby is likely ready for solid food, when they can:

  • Hold their head up
  • Sit in a high chair
  • Open their mouth wide when you offer a spoon
  • Turn their face away when they don't want food
  • Close their lips over a spoon
  • Keep their food in their mouth and swallow it instead of pushing it out

For more information about introducing solid foods, check out Unlock Food, which includes safety tips and recipes for homemade baby food.

Formula feeding

Breastfeeding is not always an option. Talk with your family doctor about formula feeding to find out what will work best for you and your child.

Infant formula supply 

Canadian families continue to experience a limited supply of some types of infant formula. Supply disruptions at first affected formula for babies with food allergies and other medical conditions. These shortages have been addressed. Supply issues are now affecting regular infant formula.

To improve supply, Health Canada is temporarily importing infant formula. Although the products may be new to Canada, they have been reviewed for safety and quality, and to ensure they provide enough nutrition for infants. For more information visit Health Canada's Information for families on the limited supply of infant formula.