Canada Breastfeeds News

Dean Beatz, age 7 months shows his displeasure at the Munchkin Baby Bottles. Mom Leigh not happy either.

Canada has its first Baby-Friendly Hospital

The Breastfeeding Committee of Canada has announced the first designated Baby-Friendly Hospital for Canada. In June 1999, the Brome-Mississquoi-Perkins Hospital in Cowansville, Quebec met all the requirements of the "Ten Steps" as assessed by INFACT's chairperson, Dr. Jack Newman. And congratulations to Dr. Suzanne Dionne, Pierrette Tremblay and all those on the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada who worked hard to turn the ideal of the BFHI into reality and create a supportive breastfeeding environment that will benefit many mothers and babies.

Congratulations to the Brome-Mississquoi-Perkins Hospital for this important achievement. The expectation is that many more hospitals will follow this example.

Breastfeeding mother granted $10,000

When Cindy Rock and her three daughters went to try some chicken wings at the Hound and Leather Restaurant in Newmarket, her youngest, then 6 months old was also hungry. Cindy was summarily told to head for the washroom or leave. Humiliated, Cindy left the restaurant and complained to owner Graham Nierop, Expecting an apology, Cindy never heard back from Nierop and marched off to make a complaint to the human rights commission. Two and a half years later she won the unprecedented settlement. "People have certain rights and shouldn't be afraid to enforce those rights," she said. Ontario's Human Rights Commission is rewriting its policy to now explicitly include breastfeeding.

Camping for a Healthy Baby

Newfoundland's highly effective Healthy Baby Clubs have found another fun way to encourage improved pregnancy outcomes. The pregnant campers do prenatal exercises, learn relaxed breathing, and parenting tips. But will they breastfeed? One mother-to-be interviewed on CBC radio commented that she most certainly would and the opportunity to discuss with other mothers-to-be was a motivation to breastfeed. Positive pregnant peer pressure indeed!

Alberta Breastfeeding-Friendly mixes messages

East Central Health region in Alberta has not only committed hard cash to Baby-Friendly efforts but has also hired 5 lactation consultants to work on promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding. The Baby-Friendly teams will be headed by: Glenda Laing, Leona Dickau, Sharon Howell, Dawn Bailey and Jackie Rodvang. Best wishes to all.

Hopefully, one of their first efforts will be to get rid of the poster by the Alberta Association of Registered Nurses celebrating Nursing Week in Alberta featuring a nurse holding a baby and yes, feeding that baby a bottle!