Halton Baby Friendly Initiative celebrates World Breastfeeding Week in Halton

The Halton Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) is joining the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and over 150 countries worldwide by celebrating World Breastfeeding Week, October 4-10.

During the week, Halton Region Public Health Nurses, the four Halton hospitals, and midwives in the region will provide “baby friendly” gift bags to celebrate new births. Gift bags for moms will consist of information about breastfeeding, what “baby friendly” means, disposable nursing pads and hats/ booties knit by hospital volunteers. There will also be celebrations held in three locations throughout the region: Burlington, Milton and Oakville.

This year’s theme for the week is “Just Ten Steps – the Baby Friendly Way,” highlighting the ten steps that are required for hospitals to obtain the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada’s designation of being a Baby Friendly facility. Becoming baby friendly indicates that organizations have policy, staff education and accommodations necessary to promote and protect breastfeeding, and to support families, no matter their feeding choices.

In December 2009, the Halton Region Health Department successfully achieved Baby Friendly accreditation and was awarded the official designation. “The Health Department strongly encourages our local health organizations to become baby friendly as we work toward our goal of seamless care for young families in Halton,” said Dr. Bob Nosal, Halton’s Medical Officer of Health. “This week is a wonderful opportunity for the Health Department to work with our partners in the community and share common messages about the importance of supporting women to initiate and continue to breastfeed their babies.”

The Halton BFI community coalition, (which includes the Halton Region Health Department), supports regional hospitals as they work toward accreditation by providing ongoing education sessions for health care providers. Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington, for example, is actively working toward its designation.

World Breastfeeding Week celebrations being held in Halton:

• Milton – Breastfeeding Drop In – Our Kids Hub-Our Lady of Victory School – 540 Commercial St – Fri, Oct 1, 10:00 a.m. – noon
• Oakville – Breastfeeding Cafe – Oakville Parent Child Centre – 461 North Service Road Unit 17 – Fri, Oct. 8th, 10:00 a.m. – noon
• Burlington – Breastfeeding Meet Up – ROCK – Reach Out Centre for Kids – 710 Cumberland Ave – Wed, Oct 6, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

For more information contact the Halton Baby Friendly Initiative Coordinator by dialing 311 or 905-825-6000, or visit the coalition website www.babyfriendlyhalton.ca.

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