Feeding

Information on breastfeeding, bottle feeding and nutrition for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
The websites and resources below are trusted sources of information and will assist in answering your queries on feeding your baby and toddler.
If you are ever concerned about your baby’s feeding, please speak with your CaFHS nurse who can provide you with support and advice.
Breastfeeding
Breastmilk helps to give your baby the best possible start, as it contains all the nutrients that they need for their first six months of life. Breastmilk promotes optimal growth and development and protects your baby against infections and diseases.
As soon as your baby is born, your baby will show you cues that they need to feed, for example; searching for the breast, mouthing and sucking their hands, or becoming restless. Crying is the last cue that your baby will display if they need to be fed, not the first.
It is recommended that you aim to breastfeed exclusively until your baby starts solid foods at around six months, and keep breastfeeding until at least 12 months.
Australian Breastfeeding Association
- Breastfeeding – general information
- Australian Breastfeeding Association: Breastfeeding resources in different languages
- Breastfeeding – early days
- Join your local group
- Breastfeeding education classes
- Breastfeeding help online
- Hire a breast pump
- Download a free breastfeeding information kit
Raising Children Network
- Breastfeeding resources
- Breastfeeding is best for first six months: Aboriginal parents
- Breastfeeding: newborns
- Newborns: breastfeeding and bottle feeding
- Breastfeeding and baby led attachment
- Breastfeeding videos
- Babies: breastfeeding, bottle-feeding & solids
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
- Breastfeeding your baby
- Expressing and storing breast milk
- A dad's guide to breastfeeding
- Cleaning and sterilising baby bottles
Women & Children's Health Network
- Breastfeeding: Getting Started – Fact sheet
- Breastfeeding Behaviours – Fact sheet
- Infant Feeding – Fact sheet
- Breastfeeding and Dummy Use for Healthy Term Babies – Fact sheet
- Breastfeeding: Engorgement – Fact sheet
- Using a Nipple Shield – Fact sheet
- Expressed Breast Milk (EBM) – Fact sheet
- Expressed Breast Milk (EBM) Safe Management and Administration – Fact sheet
- Using a Supply Line – Fact sheet
Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)
- Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) website
- National Breastfeeding Helpline: 1800 Mum to Mum 1800 686 268
- seven days a week - ABA breastfeeding counsellors are all volunteers and answering calls in their own homes
- The ABA breastfeeding counsellors have expertise in breastfeeding management
- Counsellors are not medically trained and cannot give medical advice.
Parent Helpline
1300 364 100 (local call cost within South Australia), provided by the Child and Family Health Service
- Available seven days a week to parents of children from birth to 5 years who live anywhere in South Australia.
Breastfeeding resources in other languages
- Breastfeeding: Getting Started
- Breastfeeding Behaviours
- Infant Feeding
- Breastfeeding and Dummy Use
- Breastfeeding: Engorgement
- Using a Nipple Shield
- Expressed Breast Milk (EBM)
- Expressed Breast Milk (EBM) Safe Management and Administration
- Skin-to-Skin Contact
- Rooming In
- Using a Supply Line
- Supplementary Feeding when Requested by Breastfeeding Mothers
- Supplementary Feeding when when Your Baby has a Medical Need
- Breastfeeding: Getting Started
- Breastfeeding Behaviours
- Infant Feeding
- Breastfeeding and Dummy Use
- Breastfeeding: Engorgement
- Using a Nipple Shield
- Expressed Breast Milk (EBM)
- Expressed Breast Milk (EBM) Safe Management and Administration
- Skin-to-Skin Contact
- Rooming In
- Using a Supply Line
- Supplementary Feeding when Requested by Breastfeeding Mothers
- Supplementary Feeding when when Your Baby has a Medical Need
- Breastfeeding: Getting Started
- Breastfeeding Behaviours
- Infant Feeding
- Breastfeeding and Dummy Use
- Breastfeeding: Engorgement
- Using a Nipple Shield
- Expressed Breast Milk (EBM)
- Expressed Breast Milk (EBM) Safe Management and Administration
- Skin-to-Skin Contact
- Rooming In
- Using a Supply Line
- Supplementary Feeding when Requested by Breastfeeding Mothers
- Supplementary Feeding when when Your Baby has a Medical Need
- Breastfeeding: Getting Started
- Breastfeeding Behaviours
- Infant Feeding
- Breastfeeding and Dummy Use
- Breastfeeding: Engorgement
- Using a Nipple Shield
- Expressed Breast Milk (EBM)
- Expressed Breast Milk (EBM) Safe Management and Administration
- Skin-to-Skin Contact
- Rooming In
- Using a Supply Line
- Supplementary Feeding when Requested by Breastfeeding Mothers
- Supplementary Feeding when when Your Baby has a Medical Need
- Breastfeeding: Getting Started
- Breastfeeding Behaviours
- Infant Feeding
- Breastfeeding and Dummy Use
- Breastfeeding: Engorgement
- Using a Nipple Shield
- Expressed Breast Milk (EBM)
- Expressed Breast Milk (EBM) Safe Management and Administration
- Skin-to-Skin Contact
- Rooming In
- Using a Supply Line
- Supplementary Feeding when Requested by Breastfeeding Mothers
- Supplementary Feeding when when Your Baby has a Medical Need
Bottle Feeding
While CaFHS recognises breastfeeding as the biological normal way to feed your baby, we also know that for many reasons breastfeeding doesn't always work out. If you are unable to breastfeed or have made an informed decision not to, we respect your wishes and will provide you with individual support around feeding your baby safely with a breastmilk substitute.
Women's and Children's Health Network
Raising Children Network
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
Introducing Solids
Moving on to solid foods is a big moment in your baby’s development. With so much advice and ways to get started, it can be tricky to know how to go about it.
At around 6 months of age, your baby will be ready to try solid foods. Up until this time, breastmilk or infant formula is usually all your baby needs. From six months, solid foods are needed to provide your baby with extra energy and nutrients to grow healthy and strong.
Below are a list of informative and useful websites and resources, that illustrate how to introduce solids and may help you to feel confident about feeding your baby.
If you would like more support and guidance about starting solids with your baby, please speak with your CaFHS nurse.
Raising Children Network
- Introducing solids: Why, when, what and how
- Homemade baby food: in pictures
- Solid foods: practical tips for getting started
- Breastfeeding, bottle-feeding and solids
- Dental care for babies and children
- Choking first aid: pictures
SA Health
- #DeadlyKidsSA: Oral Health
- #DeadlyKidsSA: Healthy Eating (The Right Start for Aboriginal Children)
- Starting Solids Placemat
- Feeding babies and food safety
- General nutrition for infants and toddlers
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy
Toddlers and Nutrition
Raising Children Network
- Toddlers: nutrition & fitness
- Toddlers - food and recipes
- Toddlers - common food and eating concerns
- Preschoolers - nutrition & fitness
Parenting SA
Women's and Children's Hospital