That is why the Yellowknife women's centre has both prenatal and postnatal programs for new and expectant mothers.

"I've learned a lot," says two-time mother Cynthia Jewell. "We did a baby massage. It helps bonding with your baby and is not like an adult massage. There's more rubbing."

Jewell says the baby massage results in better co-ordination, more sleep and less gas.

But aside from the rubbing, the postnatal program shows women some exercises to help after their pregnancy.

The program teaches women about nutrition and how to make proper baby food at home.

Breastfeeding is stressed both in the program and in a territory-wide prenatal conference held in Yellowknife Feb. 10, 11 and 12.

Breastfeeding helps the baby big-time.

Mother's milk not only transmits bioactive factors, such as hormones and enzymes to help the baby grow, but it includes immunoglobulins, antibodies and disease-fighting elements to promote good health.

Breastfeeding helps prevent speech problems, juvenile diabetes, small bowel disease and allergies.

"Everything you eat affects the baby," says Jewell. "I can't drink anything with too much caffeine or he gets gas."

Spicy foods can also cause gas. But healthy-baby club organizer Nola Moulton is quick to stress the big no-no when pregnant or when breastfeeding is drinking alcohol.

When a woman is pregnant, any alcohol she drinks flows directly to the baby's amniotic fluid and the mother metabolizes her own system first before cleansing the baby's food source.

The impact could cause fetal alcohol syndrome or effects, conditions that lead to smaller babies who suffer brain damage and are more likely to suffer heart defects.

Alcohol can also get into the mother's breast milk and can still cause damage.

Smoking tobacco can prompt more ear infections, more colds and respiratory problems, not to mention a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

"It's really important to bond with the child," Jewell says as Warren bounces on her knee. "It makes for a healthier baby."