How do I register to participate in the Online Breastfeeding Support Group?
If this is your first time participating, you will need to register for the group by 8:30 Wednesday morning. You only need to register once, after which you will continue to receive a weekly e-mail on Wednesday morning with the link to join either of the groups that day.
To register fill out the information in the following form, agree to group’s participation guidelines and submit the form. Click here to register.
Guidelines for participating in the Online Breastfeeding Group
By registering and joining the online breastfeeding group online or via phone, you are providing your consent to participate. To participate in the Online Breastfeeding Group, you:
• Agree to share your questions and experiences with other people present in the group to the extent you are comfortable. (Tip: Be mindful of what you share online, knowing that your privacy is limited.)
• Agree to respect the privacy of others by keeping what is said by other participants confidential.
• Respect the uniqueness and opinions of all other participants in the group.
• Agree that you will not take pictures or make recordings during the group.
• Understand participation is optional and you can leave the group at any time.
Protecting your privacy
Although Microsoft Teams is a secure platform, there is always a possibility that the security of the platform could be compromised. To protect your privacy, we:
• Admit only those participants who have registered for the group.
• Request online participants turn on their camera during introductions (after which participation using camera is optional).
• Request participants turn off their camera while attending to private needs (e.g., diaper changes).
• Request that participants do not share personal health information in the chat (e.g., health card number).
• Request registered participants do not share the group link with people who are not registered. If you have friends that would like to join our group, ask them to register.
• Do not audio record or take images of the group.
• Request that participants do not record or taking images during the group.
• Request that only parents (and their children) who have registered to participate be present during the online group. If your partner or someone else would like to participate in the group, please let us know by using the private chat box and we can discuss their participation for that particular session of the group.
Additionally, you can protect your privacy by participating from a private space. Check your surroundings before logging on with the awareness that others in the program can see you and your surroundings. SMDHU staff will also be in a private space during the program.
SMDHU public health nurses keep information shared in the group in a confidential health record according to SMDHU privacy policies. Should you ever need access to those files you have the right to do so.
In addition, if there are concerns regarding the safety and well-being of your child or the potential for harm to yourself or others, SMDHU is required to report to the appropriate agencies.
Tips for participating online• When you first logon to the group you will be placed in a waiting room. Please wait for a public health nurse to admit you to the group.
• Please “raise your hand” or use the chat box to ask questions or share your ideas. There will be opportunities for open discussion.
• You can join us on your smart phone but if you can log on from a larger screen (i.e. tablet or computer) you will get the best view.
• The gallery view is a great way to see the most people on the screen at once. It is the icon with several squares.
