Keeping Abreast

You've likely seen one or two of these posters around town. A woman holding a child while in the midst of something unusual happening around her. The slogan states, 'You may have seen some strange things, but breastfeeding isn't one of them.' It's all part of a new provincial breastfeeding campaign to increase public awareness and support for the normal method of infant, and child feeding – breastfeeding. This, coupled with World Breastfeeding Week held yearly in August, and the gaining popularity of the release of the first ever breastfeeding doll for kids, it seems that this natural feeding method is receiving a lot of much deserved attention these days.

This may sound a little off, and contradictory at first, but it's a common (mis)understanding that breastfeeding is best and formula is a close second. Let me explain. According to the World Health Organization or WHO, the suggested routes of feeding an infant or young child are as ordered: 1) breastfeeding; 2) the mother's own milk expressed and given to her child some other way; 3) the milk of another human mother; and 4) artificial milk feeds, or in other words, formula. So formula really isn't second best, what they're saying here is it's more like last resort. To meet nutritional and health need, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby's life is the recommendation. After this, nutrient rich solid food should be introduced, and breastfeeding can continue up to age 2 or more.

Most of us are well aware of the associated health outcomes for mother and baby when it comes to feeding via the breast, however it doesn't seem that overall rates are increasing. Specifically for us, across Newfoundland and Labrador 63% of women will start breastfeeding, whereas the Canadian average is 90%. In our province only about 10% of women will continue to exclusively breastfeed for the recommended 6 months. The Globe and Mail had an interesting article a couple weeks ago which cited that several health experts are increasingly concerned about the lack of increase in breastfeeding rates in Canada. It stated low rates may be tied to a lack of support for mothers from the medical community and the influence of formula manufacturers with marketing and free samples. Perhaps too to consider is the unnecessary social inappropriateness by others that still occasionally exists when women exercise their human right to breastfeed in public.

Lucky for us, and to help us overcome some of these hurdles, is a great support in place for families, called Baby-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador. It is the primary forum for protecting, promoting and supporting NL families throughout pregnancy and the early years. The site features many relevant resources including blogs from NL moms and dads, a 'Need help?' section, and even has their own facebook page, twitter account and YouTube channel. For more information and to find the answers to your questions, be sure to check out the wesbite: www.babyfriendlynl.ca

As seen in The Telegram August 22, 2011