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Infant Nutrition

Informed Decision Making

How you feed your baby is an important and personal decision. Making an informed decision means understanding the risks and benefits of all your options.

To speak with a public health nurse please call the Family Health Intake Line at 613-735-9774 (direct line) or 1-800-267-1097 ext. 589 (toll-free) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Breastmilk is the natural food for babies and the only food babies need for the first six months. After six months, breastfeeding is recommended for two years and beyond along with nutritious solid foods.

Some women have challenges breastfeeding, particularly in the early days. We want you to be successful!

In-Home Support

Public Health Nurses are available for phone or in-home breastfeeding support for families living in Renfrew County. To speak with a Public Health Nurse please:

  • call: the Family Health Intake Line at 613-735-9774 (direct line) or 1-800-267-1097 ext. 589 (toll-free); or
  • email: familyhealth@rcdhu.com

Parent Child Wellness Clinics

RCDHU is now offering by appointment Parent Child Wellness Clinics. Spend one-on-one time with a Public Health Nurse and get support as well as answers to your questions about feeding, sleeping, crying and other parenting inquiries. Clinics are open to families with children age zero to transition to school.

Clinic locations:

  • Pembroke (RCDHU Main Office) – Parent Child Wellness Clinic
  • Renfrew (RCDHU Office) – Parent Child Wellness Clinic
  • Arnprior (EarlyON® Centre) – Parent Child Wellness Clinic

For more information and/or to schedule an appointment:

  • call: the Family Health Intake Line at 613-735-9774 (direct line) or 1-800-267-1097 ext. 589 (toll-free); or
  • email: familyhealth@rcdhu.com.

Petawawa Centennial Family Health Centre Breastfeeding Clinic

In-person and phone appointments available with a Nurse Practitioner, Heidi Krebsz. Appointments are available to anyone in Renfrew County.

To book an appointment please call: 613-687-7641.

Health811

Connect with a registered nurse day or night for free, secure and confidential health advice.

  • Call: 811 or TTY 1-866-797-0007 and ask to participate in the breastfeeding program; or
  • visit: www.ontario.ca/Health811.

Breast Pump Rentals & Loans

Killaloe – Community Resource Centre

  • Call: 613-757-3108 or 1-888-757-3108
  • Loan

Pembroke – Mulvihill Drug Mart

  • Call: 613-735-0161
  • Rent or buy

For breast-pump rentals in the Ottawa area please see: http://www.ottawabreastfeeds.ca/.

Resources

 

Your baby is ready to start solid foods at about six months of age. Your baby does not need teeth to start eating solid food.  You will know your child is ready when they:

  • hold their head up steadily
  • can sit up and lean forward
  • open their mouth wide when you offer food
  • swallow food instead of pushing it out
  • can let you know when they are full (e.g., turns head away)
  • can pick up food and try to put it in their mouth

To learn more about introducing solid foods:

  • call: the Family Health Intake Line at 613-735-9774 (direct line) or 1-800-267-1097 ext. 589 (toll-free); or
  • email: familyhealth@rcdhu.com.

Resources

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Pembroke Office

141 Lake Street, Pembroke, Ontario K8A 5L8

Phone: 613-732-3629
Toll Free: 1-800-267-1097
Fax: 613-735-3067

Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Renfrew Service Hub (By Appointment Only)

120 Plaunt Street South, Renfrew, Ontario, K7V 1M5

Services offered by appointment only.

If you require an alternative accessible format or assistance accessing information on this page, please contact us at contact@rcdhu.com or 613-732-3629.