Breastfeeding support for Ontario moms

The Ontario government launched a plan on Monday to spend $2.5 million to boost breastfeeding amongst Ontario mothers.

Health minister Deb Matthews says this initiative is a move to get more mothers breastfeeding their babies for health benefits. Matthews claimed that only 60 per cent of mothers are breastfeeding after delivery and only 28 per cent of mothers are still breastfeeding their child at six months.

Some of the supports include a 24-hour telephone help line for nurses and lactation consultants to coach and counsel callers through breastfeeding. The help line is expected to roll out in April 2014.

Much of the funding is going towards groups who have lower rates of breastfeeding, including first mothers, teenage mothers, women with lower income or education levels, women with a history of depression or anxiety, and Aboriginal women.

We already know about the many benefits of breastfeeding. Not only is it much better on Mother Earth—no packaging, manufacturing, or transportation—but it’s perfect for your child’s overall health as well. Breastmilk comes with all the antibodies, protein, nutrients, and fat to feed your baby, boost her immune system, lower risk of obesity, and improve her long-term health.

This breastfeeding initiative, which is following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Baby-Friendly Initiative, has a 10-step process. Some of the steps include placing the baby with her mother for at least an hour immediately after delivery, providing both mother and baby a room for 24 hours, supporting her so she can only exclusively breastfeed for the first six months, and help mothers breastfeed without any artificial teats or pacifiers.

Do you think a government-funded breastfeeding strategy is necessary? Have you ever breastfed before, and did you wish you had extra guidance at the time? Let us know in the comments below!