It takes a village

‘Breast is best’ is the message coming from health care professionals. However, learning to breastfeed can be a struggle for many new mothers.

Provincial, federal and world health officials encourage mothers to breastfeed exclusively for six months and to continue to two years (and beyond) with appropriate complimentary foods.

According to the Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care, if more Canadian babies were “breastfed according to these recommendations, there would be a significant health care saving.” The organization writes there is evidence peer support helps women breastfeed longer. “Being a new mother can be isolating,” says Helen Peill, Kings County an accredited leader with La Leche League Canada. “In the past, women lived near extended family members and had the experience of mothers, grandmothers, sisters to draw from.”

Families “need something to provide that mother-to-mother support,” she adds. “It can help mothers find solutions to everyday challenges and mothers may continue nursing longer with peer support.”

La Leche League phone support and monthly meetings offer peer support. Bosom Buddies, an AVH program supports breastfeeding mother by matching women who have breastfed successfully with new mothers for phone support, is also an excellent way for women to connect.

Public Health operates a drop-in support group, Baby Café, Friday mornings at the Acadia Faculty Club in Wolfville. Kentville’s Tiffany Woodside, mother of four-month-old Xavier, says the group has been important to her success meeting her breastfeeding goals. “Baby Café helped me feel more confident in breastfeeding.”

Family support is also a factor in women’s comfort with breastfeeding. Woodside says the fact her mother breastfed was a factor in her determination to keep nursing Xavier, despite difficulties in his early weeks. As breastfeeding rates in Nova Scotia have been low for decades, few women share Woodside’s position, making peer support groups even more important. “When they say it takes a village, they’re right, “ Ray-Ann Doucet says of the importance of peer support for new mothers. “Especially when you are doing something people used to frown upon.” The Sunken Lake resident says she frequently gets disapproving looks when nursing her seven-month-old daughter Elizabeth in public, but strong support has bolstered her commitment to breastfeeding. “I know a couple of women who were unsuccessful (at breastfeeding) it made me that much more determined to succeed.”

Jan Loner is especially grateful to Baby Café coordinator and public health nurse Johanna MacLeod. Because three-month-old Paige was born premature, Loner spent seven weeks pumping her milk and teaching the baby how to nurse. “Johanna came everyday; it was great, because breast milk is the best thing for premature babies.”

Five-month-old Sophie’s mother, Kate Dalton, loves Friday mornings at the Café and is grateful to Acadia for providing the space. “My family is pretty far away,” Dalton, who recently moved to Wolfville, she says. “It’s nice to have a network of moms helping each other.” -----------------------------------------------------------

For breastfeeding support in the Annapolis Valley, contact:

Public Health: Wolfville: 542-6310 Berwick 538-3700 Middleton 825-3385 Annapolis Royal 532-0490

New Mothers Resource Clinic (VRH): 679-2657, ext. 3054

Bosom Buddies Telephone Peer Support Program: 538-1430

La Leche League: Helen Peill 582-3709

Baby Café: Johanna McLeod 542-6315