Canada Breastfeeds News
CHEA Position
Paper on Breastfeeding
Home Economists recognize that they offer a unique contribution
to infant feeding and realize their potential in the promotion
and protection of breastfeeding world-wide. The Canadian Home
Economics Association (CHEA) with their “broad scope of
impact” and their “informed family orientation”
has produced an excellent Position Paper on Breastfeeding that
will serve our communities well. What makes the CHEA statement,
which beyond being far-reaching in scope, so significant is the
resolution to “work at international, national, provincial,
and local levels toward the re-vitalization of breastfeeding
as the cultural norm.” In summary the CHEA supports:
- exclusive breastfeeding on demand as the optimal feeding
method for infants from birth to 6 months of age;
- exclusive breastfeeding is environmentally friendly and provides
total food security for infants;
- the health risks of formula feeding include increased risk
of infectious diseases, diarrhea, anemia and allergies;
- home economists have a professional responsibility to convey
objective information about the superiority of breastmilk and
the risks associated with formula feeding;
- home economists have a responsibility to promote breastfeeding
and to promote a supportive community at national, local and
family levels;
- home economists respect and support women’s choices
regarding infant feeding and display non-judgemental attitudes
toward individual decisions.
The full statement can be found in the Canadian Home Economics
Journal 47:170-176 (English), 177-183 (French), 1997.
Neonatologists compromised by MJ sponsorship
Congratulations to vigilant health care providers who were
quick to spot the ill-sponsored ”25 years of Neonatology
in Edmonton,” peppered with speakers and coffee breaks sponsored
by Mead Johnson. One wonders if the University of Alberta Hospitals
has never heard of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk
Substitutes? And what about the “conflict of interest”
issues this raises? Those wishing to add to the growing protest
can write their objections to conference organizer Dr. John Van
Aerde, Director NICU, Stollery Children’s Health Centre,
University of Alberta Hospital 8440, 112 St. Edmonton, AB T6G
2B7. Send a copy to the Minister of Health, Halver Jonson, Room
288, Legislative Building, Edmonton, AB, T2K 2B6. Better yet
contact the Edmonton Journal and let them know how controversial
these sponsorships are!
Alberta Bound
for Baby-Friendly
Kudos to the Alberta Medical Association for producing the
second edition of the ”Alberta Breastfeeding Support Services
Directory.” Originally printed in 1994 this directory provides
a complete list of Lactation Consultants and trained breastfeeding
counsellors in the province of Alberta as well as a list of other
resources for breastfeeding information and support. The directory
is accessible on the Alberta Medical Association website: www.amda.ab.ca.
Toronto Breastfeeding Network at Work
Peer support programs have been a growing trend in the Toronto
area and four new programs have been launched during the past
two years. Contacts for the groups suggest starting with a small
group of trained peers, providing resources such as child care,
transportation and honourariums to cover training; to match mothers
by language, age and culture; use resources already available
in the community, and the “buy in“ from health professionals
takes time. Another highly successful activity of the Network
is the Lunch and Learn Series where health providers and mothers
come together over a bag lunch with a topical speaker to listen,
learn and discuss. |
