Canada Breastfeeds News

Canada’s Prenatal Nutrition Program boosts breastfeeding rates

INFACT Canada’s Board Member, Janet Murphy Goodridge and representative of Canada’s Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) to the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada, has worked hard over the past few years to get a program in place with some dramatic results.

The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) is a comprehensive nutrition program that applies a population health approach to improve pregnancy outcomes for vulnerable women and their babies, promote breastfeeding and increase access to health services. The Government of Canada provides long term funding through a joint management agreement with provincial and territorial governments to community groups. More than 95% of projects target pregnant women who are teens; women who are Aboriginal or recent immigrants; women who live in poverty or in geographic isolation; women who use tobacco, alcohol, or other substances; and women who have poor access to services.  Program delivery models vary across the country and from community to community as each project responds to what works well in the local  community. Participant involvement in all aspects of program planning and delivery is expected. The recommended program elements include: food   supplementation; nutrition assessment and counselling; support, education and counselling on lifestyle issues; breastfeeding promotion and support; peer support models, drop-ins, collective kitchens and gardens; and a registered dietitian in planning and support to project staff and participants.

What impact has CPNP had on breastfeeding rates?

The breastfeeding initiation rate across the 350 CPNP projects is 78 per cent, close to the national average of 79 per cent, and although surveys are not directly comparable, initiation appears to be higher than for similar at-risk groups in the general population. CPNP uses a continuum of strategies to nurture successful breastfeeding, including peer and professional support models and collaborative partnerships with local community breastfeeding initiatives. Throughout Canada, CPNP projects are taking the lead in creating more supportive environments for breastfeeding women and their families. CPNP staff and participants actively promote World Breastfeeding Week activities and the WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI).

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