Infant Crisis Services

We get many questions here at Infant Crisis Services. Two common questions are about breastfeeding and cloth diapers. Pediatrician Patrice Aston alongside Infant Crisis Services staff answered some of those burning questions.

Q: Isn’t breast milk best for babies? Why do you provide formula rather than encouraging these new mothers to breastfeed?
A: Breastfeeding has been shown to have substantial benefits for babies, including decreased illness and a closer bond with their mother. But the choice to breast- or bottle-feed is a personal one, and is often dictated by culture, the mother’s desire and determination, or the need to supplement with formula as directed by a physician.

Infant Crisis Services encourages all clients who are currently breastfeeding to continue to do so, and provides them with everything available at the time that may help them.

The majority of our clients arrive at Infant Crisis Services when their child is at least one-week-old; in some cases, the baby may be as much as one or six months old. As much as we would love for more mothers to breastfeed, the reality is that by the time a client has arrived at Infant Crisis Services, they may have already ceased nursing. Once a mother has made the decision not to nurse, it is extremely difficult to begin nursing again, as related to that particular birth.

"Human milk is best for human babies, but when unavailable for any reason, a high quality infant formula which imitates milk will support optimal growth of the baby, and development of the brain, sensory and immune systems."
-Dr. Patrice Aston, Pediatric Consultant

Q: Why doesn’t Infant Crisis Services provide cloth diapers rather than disposable diapers?
A: Infant Crisis Services will provide cloth diapers for families who request them, however cloth is usually not an option. Childcare centers require parents to leave disposable diapers with their child. In addition, families that can’t afford diapers often do not have washing machines and can’t afford bus fare to get to the laundromat, or money for the laundromat.