National Breastfeeding Week

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“Our team helps families meet their feeding goals and adapt to the post-partum period. We help coordinate the best possible plan for each family in our care, specific to their individual needs.”

During National Breastfeeding Week, we are highlighting our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), Jen, Basia, Karen and Andrea, the importance of breastfeeding and the work that they do in the Breastfeeding Clinic at Joseph Brant Hospital.  

The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend that breastfeeding be initiated within the first hour of birth and exclusive for the first six months of life. From the age of six months, children should begin eating safe and adequate complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years and beyond.

“Breast milk is customized nutrition for your baby and offers many benefits including improving long term neurodevelopment, reducing the risk of asthma, allergies, obesity and infections.”

Breastfeeding can be challenging for many reasons. From pumping and milk supply, latching, positioning techniques, to feeding multiples and premature babies, NICU graduates, or dealing with mastitis/plugged ducts and infant growth, parents can work with our IBCLCs and receive support at the Clinic.

“We help coordinate the best possible plan for each family in our care, specific to their individual needs. We also support parents in the Maternal and Child Unit, Pediatrics Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for premature and medically fragile babies.”

Once a new parent is referred to an IBCLC, an individualized plan is put together using evidence-based education to help them make informed decisions. IBCLCs work closely with multi-disciplinary teams including, Labour and Delivery Nurse, Pediatricians, Social Workers, Dietitians and NICU Nurses to put together to create and support feeding plans.

“Our goal is to empower new parents and build their confidence in their breastfeeding choices. We support them with whatever their feeding goals are without any judgement.”

Learn more about the Breastfeeding Clinic at Joseph Brant Hospital here: https://www.josephbranthospital.ca/en/programs-and-services/breastfeeding-clinic.asp