Canada Breastfeeds News

Breastfeeding duration rates increasing in Middlesex-London

Breastfeeding rates in London-Middlesex region are
increasing thanks to the efforts of the Middlesex-London Health Unit, the St Joseph's Health Centre, the London Health Sciences Centre and the Middlesex-London Breastfeeding Committee.

In a telephone survey 535 mothers who had given birth in 1998 and whose babies were at least 6 months old were interviewed on how and what they fed their babies.

Of the 535 women interviewed:

• 88 per cent of women initiated breastfeeding,
• 61.8 per cent breastfed to four months,
• 53.7 per cent breastfed for six months or more,
• of those who chose to breastfeed, 51.6 per cent exclusively breastfed until her baby was at least 4 months of age.

The most common reasons for not initiating breastfeeding were personal choice, a past negative experience, and maternal health problems. Reasons for stopping breastfeeding were returning to work or school, and a perception of insufficient milk supply.

These results represent a significant increase from those reported in the 1990 Ontario Health Survey. At that time 73 per cent of women in Middlesex-London initiated breastfeeding, and of the women who initiated breastfeeding, 51.3 per cent breastfed for four months or more.

Reference:
McHale, H., Gutmanis, I., Breastfeeding Duration Rates in Middlesex-London. London, Ontario: Middlesex-London Health Unit, 1999

Atlantic Provinces prepare for the new millennium

Strategies to protect, promote and support breastfeeding were formulated by an Advisory Committee to The Breastfeeding Coalition of Newfoundland and Labrador, to move the Province towards the New Millennium in step with global standards in maternal and child health as set forth by the WHO and UNICEF.

Issues relating to breastfeeding in the province were identified through analysis of the current breastfeeding environment. For example, while the prevalence of breastfeeding has increased significantly from 33% in 1985 to 54% in 1998, there is no comprehensive data on exclusive breastfeeding. A telephone survey conducted in the St. John's region in 1998 indicated that while 68% initiated breastfeeding, only 26% of this group were still breastfeeding at six months postpartum.

Key strategic areas for the development of goals within the breastfeeding plan were identified as:

• Public Education and Promotion
• Professional Education
• Implementation of Baby-Friendly Initiative
• Development of Public Policy
• Resource Development
• Research

The plan is to address these issues in collaboration and consultation with hospitals, health and community services, professional associations and the support of the community. v

Reference:
Murphy Goodridge, J. Moving Towards the New Millennium: A Strategic Plan (1999-2004). Newfoundland and Labrador, PPP, 1994

Know your rights

The Ontario Human Rights Commission has produced a useful document to promote the rights of pregnant and nursing women in the province.

These rights and the process to file a human rights complaint are clearly explained and resources needed identified as follows:

"If you think your employer has not followed the rules under the Employment Standards Act, you can call or visit the nearest Ministry of Labour office and get advice on your own situation."

In Ontario it is illegal to discriminate because a woman is or was pregnant, because she may become pregnant or because she has had a baby. Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, women are protected from discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex, which includes pregnancy, and family status, which means being in a parent-child relationship.

What does this mean for breastfeeding women?

"... you have the right to breast-feed a child in a public area. No one should prevent you from nursing your child in a public area or ask you to move to another area that is more discreet."

• You have the right to breastfeed in a public area and be accommodated at work.
• You have the right to nurse undisturbed.

For more information call in confidence 1-800-387-9080 (toll-free). To learn more about the policy or to view the complete guide `Pregnancy -- Before, During and After: Know Your Rights!' visit the Web site at http://www.ohrc.on.ca.