'Do it and be proud'

BY JENNIFER HOEGG

NovaNewsNow.com

Local organizations were excited about promoting World Breastfeeding Week Oct. 1-7, but most admit that Hants County still has far to go to increase breastfeeding rates.

Health Canada and the Canadian Paediatric Society recommend that babies drink human milk only for the first six months of life and continue to breastfeed for two years or more. Nova Scotia has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Canada, with only a quarter of babies exclusively breastfed at the age of four months.

Nova Scotia Public Health Services wants Nova Scotians to know that there are health risks to formula feeding for babies and mothers. Nova Scotia Public Health Services celebrated World Breastfeeding Week by supporting the INFACT Canada campaign, themed “Breastfeeding First – breastfeeding within one hour of birth.”

Most supporters agree that the biggest challenge to increasing the initiation and duration of breastfeeding is increasing acceptance of breastfeeding as the normal thing to do in hospitals, families and communities.

Why should communities care? Because breastfeeding doesn’t just save families money; it can save government and communities money. Health care costs for breastfeeding babies and mothers are statistically lower.



Younger mothers could benefit

For St. Croix mother of two Lara McCurdy, breastfeeding was the only option. “For me, it was the only choice,” she says. “I have milk available, it’s free and it’s best for the baby. Why not? I just assumed that I would be able to nurse and I worked at it until it was successful.”

Women who have babies in their teens or as single parents may have even more to gain from successful breastfeeding experiences. The high cost of formula is a burden for many families. And, in the case of a natural disaster such as a power outage or severe snowstorm, dependence on formula can lead to an emergency when stores are closed unexpectedly. Breast milk, on the other hand, is free and readily available.

Why aren’t many younger mothers nursing? McCurdy wonders if “some women don’t realize that it’s easier after the first few weeks. Younger mothers might be shy about nursing in public.”

Although learning to breastfeed may be challenging, many mothers find breastfeeding easier and more convenient than formula feeding after the first few weeks. “Being able to lay down and snuggle baby instead of fixing or washing bottles can be easier for single mothers,” notes Lisa Henniger, West Hants’ Community Home Visitor for Healthy Beginnings.

Current clothing fashion notwithstanding, many young women are shy about their bodies. Others worry about making friends and family uncomfortable, even though it’s easy to nurse discreetly with practice.

Mary Lou Bennett, Executive Director of a Breastfeeding Friendly space – the Family Resource Centre of West Hants - felt shy about nursing her sons 20 years ago, but wonders why it’s still a challenge in this day and age. “What’s more important? Your baby being hungry or other people’s comfort? Do it and be proud!”



Confidence is all about support

McCurdy is pleased with local support, but thinks some women aren’t confident or determined enough to access it. “The first baby, it was hard. I knew it was up to me to connect with the resources.

“The support is there if you’re willing to ask and you need to be comfortable asking questions. The nurses were great; they said ‘you can do this.’”

Public Health nurses are available for home visits, La Leche League offers mother-to mother phone support, Nova Scotia’s Healthy Beginnings program offers general parenting support, including referrals for breastfeeding help for expecting mothers and those with children up to 36 months of age.

Lack of other kinds of support affects mothers’ breastfeeding success and community support is a factor. McCurdy has found it difficult to find comfortable seating in malls when she needs to feed her baby.

“I’m surprised I don’t feel as comfortable nursing in public here as I did living in a city. I just don’t see many other women breastfeeding, so it feels a bit weird.”



Rights enshrined; family support crucial

Many people are unaware that women’s right to breastfeed in public places and to have space to pump milk for their babies while working or attending school is protected by federal and provincial human rights legislation. Most mothers can nurse their babies very discreetly.

As well, family support is crucial to breastfeeding success. Henniger and Bennett report that, “sadly, some fathers and grandmothers aren’t supportive. Some families still think of breastfeeding as a taboo, but breastfeeding is normal and healthy.”

Both women encourage families of new parents to have open minds about it.

Peer support also encourages nursing mothers. Luckily for Windsor-area mothers, the Family Resource Centre’s popular Baby Love program offers all parents of babies less than one year of age an opportunity to meet and socialize twice a month.

The nursing mothers who attend help each other by sharing positive and negative experiences. McCurdy agrees: “Sometimes talking with other mothers, getting a few tips, alleviates the stress. Seeing other women nursing helps, too.”

Bennett, Hennigar and McCurdy are all hopeful about increasing acceptance of breastfeeding in Hants County. “The more we talk about it and the more women breastfeeding in public, the more it will be accepted.”



Community Contacts:

• Family Resource Centre:

Baby Love program on the second and last Thursday of every month.

• La Leche League phone support:

Debbie VanKippersluis, 684-3384.

• Public Health:

WBW www.infactcanada.ca or phone: 798-2264.

• Healthy Beginnings:

Community Home Visitor for Families with newborn children. Contact Lisa Hennigar 790-3664.