September 2009 - Our Voice in Action

Breastfeeding: Promoting the Benefits Province-wide

by Anne Smith BScN, IBCLC, Public Health Nurse, North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit and Chair of OPHA’s Breastfeeding Promotion Workgroup

An important activity of the OPHA Breastfeeding Promotion Workgroup has been to advocate for a Provincial Breastfeeding Strategy. A group of people with representation from the hospital sector, the OPHA Breastfeeding Promotion Workgroup, Best Start Health Nexus, Ontario Breastfeeding Committee and RNAO have been meeting to draft a document which outlines the components of a provincial breastfeeding strategy.

With current rates of breastfeeding exclusivity at 6 months in Ontario only at approximately 16% (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2008), it is critical that the province of Ontario implement and support a provincial breastfeeding strategy. Such a strategy would increase breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity rates in Ontario, thus improving the health of its mothers and children. The provincial breastfeeding strategy for Ontario will address four key areas: leadership and policy development; service delivery; surveillance, research and evaluation; and capacity building.

Leadership and policy development

Here, a designated provincial coordinator is needed in order to facilitate the establishment of a provincial committee with participation from key stakeholders such as the Ontario Breastfeeding Committee and the Ontario Lactation Consultants Association. Policy development should include implementing the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) in Ontario. The provincial committee would set requirements for hospitals, public health units, and other community health services to begin the process towards Baby-Friendly designation, and advocate for federal legislation, regulation, and enforcement of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.

Service delivery

Recommendations and support strategies will be made, in collaboration with key stakeholders, to ensure that the Ten Steps to Protect Promote and Support Breastfeeding and the Seven Step Plan for the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding in Community Health will be implemented. Support and promotion of the development of community-based support networks, protection and observation of the rights of breastfeeding mothers and their babies, as well as the establishment of a provincial breastfeeding social marketing strategy aimed at making breastfeeding the cultural norm for feeding infants are also needed.

Surveillance, research and evaluation

Breastfeeding targets for increased breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity, need to be established, then collection of the applicable data using the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada's standardized definitions and timelines. To ensure progress towards these established targets, development and evaluation of programs and policies must occur. Resources will be allocated to identify gaps and priorities in research. .

Capacity building

This would involve advocating for educational establishments to offer education and training regarding breastfeeding best practices. All health and social service providers currently working with families should be trained to support pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding. The role of the International Board Certified Lactation Consultants will be recognized and supported. Health care professionals need to be provided with learning and networking opportunities related to breastfeeding research and progress towards BFI.

 

 

References

[1] Recommended components of a provincial breastfeeding strategy. (2009)

[2] Public Health Agency of Canada (2008). Canadian Perinatal Health Report. Ottawa.