London, ON – Each year Canada celebrates World Breastfeeding Week from October 1st to 7th. The goal of the week is to raise awareness about how important breastfeeding is for the nutrition, immunologic protection, growth, and development of young children. This year, World Breastfeeding Week aims to show how breastfeeding can fit easily into a healthy lifestyle.
While most mothers in London and Middlesex County start breastfeeding their babies at birth, the number drops off significantly over the following months. About 90% of mothers begin breastfeeding their infants, but after six months that rate has dropped to about 52%, and then to 17% by the time the babies are a year old. Health Canada recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life, with continued breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond. Therefore, an important way to help women in their effort to continue breastfeeding is to provide information and support.
“New moms need as much support as possible in order to keep breastfeeding,” says Tracey Gordon, Manager of the Reproductive Health Team at the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “They may have questions about returning to their exercise routine, taking medication, or even going back to work or school. It’s important that breastfeeding moms know they can fit breastfeeding into their everyday lifestyle.”
With the mounting evidence that demonstrates the importance of breastfeeding for infants and children, health organizations are increasingly committed to helping families make informed decisions about feeding their infants.
The Health Unit provides a number of resources, including online videos, for breastfeeding families to ensure they receive the information and support they need, while helping them reach their breastfeeding goals. Among the topics covered by the Health Unit’s breastfeeding videos are: returning to work/school, medication, alcohol, birth control, and exercise.
Families can access the support they need easily, at anytime, from anywhere, by visiting www.healthunit.com/breastfeeding.
In addition to the resources on its website, the Health Unit provides families with the opportunity to speak directly with a public health nurse through its Health Connection phone line (519 850-2280), or at its Well Baby Clinics. There will also be special presentations about babywearing at Well Baby Child clinics held through October 10th.
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 ext. 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell)
Spokesperson:
Tracey Gordon, Manager of the Reproductive Health Team,Middlesex-London Health Unit