Moms get involved with breastfeeding
By Contributor
World Breastfeeding week was celebrated in October so it’s a great time to ask feedback from mothers living in the West Kootenays / Boundary about their infant feeding choices.
With support from Interior Health, the Nelson Breastfeeding Taskforce is initiating an anonymous study aimed at mothers with children up to three years of age. The survey takes about ten minutes and can be completed online (www.fluidsurveys.com/s/wkootenayinfantfeeding) or picked up at the public health units in Grand Forks, Castlegar, Nelson or Trail.
There is an abundance of well documented evidence that describes the many health advantages successful breastfeeding has for both the mother and baby. The taskforce understands that breastfeeding is a choice and families can choose to initiate and/or continue to breastfeed for as long as they feel is right for them and their child.
Since 2005, the West Kootenay region has seen changes in services and support available to new mothers and incidentally has also seen a noticeable reduction in breastfeeding duration rates.
The study will contribute to a greater understanding of what influences a woman’s decision to initiate breastfeeding, the length of time to continue breastfeeding, and to determine the resources and support that will enable mothers to initiate and continue breastfeeding if they so choose. The group hopes to learn from a variety of perspectives and hear from many mothers in the region, especially those living in outlying communities.
Community-based research is an exciting way for individuals to participate in research and to provide important feedback on services and support that affects our lives. Completing the West Kootenay Infant Feeding survey will benefit the communities where we live!
