09 Oct 2009
World Breastfeeding Week is an annual international event that celebrates the importance of breastfeeding for all women, children, families and communities. This year’s theme was: “Breastfeeding Saves Lives: Protecting Infant Health Every Day and in Emergencies”. It highlighted the life-saving capacity of breastfeeding, and its protective effect on the health of infants and young children.
Recent events in Simcoe Muskoka are a reminder that being prepared for any potential emergency is important, whether it is something as common as a power outage, or as devastating as a tornado blowing through the community.
We must keep in mind something that is always true: breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition and active protection against infection and illness for infants and small children. In an emergency, breastfeeding can actually save a child’s life.
In situations where access to safe water, power and refrigeration is limited or non-existent, the health of infants who are being fed breast milk-substitutes may be at significant risk. It is important for the parents and caregivers of these children to prepare in advance for any potential emergency by having enough safe, nutritionally appropriate food to feed their infant for at least three days.
Women who are breastfeeding have that nutrition always available and do not need to store or receive additional supplies in case of emergency. The advance preparation in this case is the promotion of breastfeeding itself: community partners must work together to ensure that families receive accurate information, positive encouragement and practical support to minimize the risk of infection and illness amongst the youngest members of our population everyday, as well as in emergencies.
While about 90 per cent of mothers in Simcoe Muskoka start out breastfeeding when their babies are born, breastfeeding rates quickly begin to drop. According to the Canadian Community Health Survey, only 23 per cent of infants in our area are exclusively breastfed until they are six months old as recommended by Health Canada, the Canadian Paediatric Society and other child health organizations world wide. These expert groups further recommend breastfeeding to continue up to two years of age or beyond, a goal reached by very few families in Simcoe Muskoka.
Breastfeeding mothers are influenced by their family, friends, community and health care providers––whether or not these people are supportive of breastfeeding has great impact on a woman’s breastfeeding experience.
It is clear that breastfeeding has a protective effect on infant and young child health, and is of particular importance in emergency situations. You can be a part of a culture that protects, promotes and supports breastfeeding everyday. When we are faced with an emergency of any magnitude, our most vulnerable will be protected.
To learn more about how to support breastfeeding everyday and in emergencies, call Your Health Connection at 721-7520 (1-877-721-7520) Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm. or visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.
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Dr. Susan Surry is one of Simcoe Muskoka’s associate medical officers of health and a paediatrician.
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