(no subject)

[velvetpage]

Dear Mr. Smitherman, (Ontario Minister of Health)

As a mother, mother-to-be, and child advocate, I am appalled that breastfeeding clinics in Toronto are being closed.

When my first child was born, I had very little help with breastfeeding. It was through determination and the help of friends that I succeeded at nursing my daughter, who is now a healthy, happy preschooler. A breastfeeding clinic in my neighbourhood would have saved me a great deal of difficulty, at a time when even a little bit of difficulty was overwhelming. Had I had less support, I might very well have given up.

The two hospitals where clinics are being closed (St. Michael's and North York General) are in districts with limited resources, serving large populations. What will happen to those new mothers who do not have the kind of support I received? Who will help them and their children to nurse? Breastfeeding is a learned behaviour for both mother and child. It requires prior knowledge, practice, and support. It is undertaken at a time when women are recovering from a physically demanding time, operating on little to no sleep, and adjusting to the single biggest lifestyle change they can go through. It is also the healthiest and most financially sound option for new families. Without support, or with uninformed, piecemeal support such as that offered in most maternity wards, many women give up and switch to formula. While formula is a good tool for supplementing on occasion, or for children who, for whatever reason, cannot be breastfed, it should not take the place of breastmilk for parents who would be able to nurse if supported.

The clinics in question are run by one of the world's foremost experts on lactation. He and his staff merit increased support in a stable clinic environment. His work is of utmost importance to new parents.

I ask that you reconsider the closing of these clinics, and consider supporting the creation of similar clinics in all hospitals across Ontario. This would be an act of support for families and for children across our province.

Sincerely,

Velvetpage


If you live in Ontario (why limit it to Toronto? I'd like to see clinics in all hospitals) and wish to write your own letter, email: rrps@rogers.com. This is the address of a lactation consultant in the Toronto area who is organizing a protest of the clinic closures.

Comments

[eccosophi.livejournal.com]

I saw Mohawk college has a breast-feeding program...I wonder if it's the same kind of thing? I know it's instructor is a nurse.

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

Many nurses take extra courses in lactation, and some get certified as lactation consultants. Most public health units (including Hamilton's) offers in-home visits by public health nurses who are trained in lactation and can help. Many hospitals also offer a similar service.

the problem is, as I said above, it's piecemeal. Some are very well trained. Some have nursed three or four children of their own. Some are fresh out of school and have only theoretical knowledge. There are no provincial standards for breastfeeding clinics, and their availability depends on the public health department in each region. Hamilton's is better than most - but one visit from a public health nurse is not enough to solve breastfeeding problems when you're sleepless, recovering from c-sections or any other kind of birth, your nipples are cracked and bleeding, and your milk isn't coming in.

The average hospital nurse has one hour of theoretical training in lactation during her nursing program. That is simply unacceptable. We need lactation consultants on hand consistently in maternity wards, we need them on hand consistently in clinics placed around the communities and available by phone for worn-out new moms, and we need consistent standards for such clinics so that all moms can expect good information.

[anidada.livejournal.com]

Mohawk's program is not the same thing as becoming an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lacation Consultant), but it can be used as credit towards the certification process. LCs require many, many more hours of education and hands-on practice, plus exams, before they are certified.

Mohawk's program is mostly for nurses and community workers, and sadly, is not a patch on either real experience (which is taken into consideration for LC and LLL leader certification) or the amount and type of additional hands-on experience that is expected in order to become a fully qualified LC or LLL leader.

And the idea that the program can be done via distance education is just ludicrous, IMHO, but I'll get off my soapbox now... :(

[perlandria.livejournal.com]

:D And you resisted questionin gif he is getting hospital subsidies from formula makers. :D

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

Do you mean the doctor or the Minister of Health? It's possible, but hopefully untrue.

[anidada.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure that's illegal in Canada. Thank g-d.

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

That doesn't mean it doesn't happen, just that they cover it up better when it does.

[anidada.livejournal.com]

Heh. Yeah, fair enough. :P

[anidada.livejournal.com]

That's a wonderful letter!

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

[kesmun.livejournal.com]

It is indeed. I know my sister got a lot of her support from a message board, but that can only go so far. Of course, she also had our mom, who not only nursed all five of her children, but was a La Leche League (the LLL you referred to, I'm relatively certain) member, if not leader.

I am very glad to be so blessed in my support as well.

I am quite impressed with the fact that you (velvetpage) thought about how many women don't have that kind of support.

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

I try not to forget just how blessed I am in terms of family, friends and resources. I know of at least one young woman, a friend of my sister's, who got a whole lot of bad advice and didn't nurse or pump for her premie baby. If she'd been prepared to call me, I could have helped, or given her the numbers of people who could. But she didn't, and as a result, she's back at work early because otherwise she can't afford her child's formula.

During the next mat leave, I may volunteer for the phone tree Mom to Mom thing we have around here, where new moms call more experienced moms when they need help. I can't do it if I'm not at home most of the time, though, so we'll have to see. I wouldn't want to become someone's support, go back to work, and then have to let them down.

[kesmun.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I can see that. I think it would be a neat thing around here, too, especially with the sheer size of the baby booms that are happening. 'Bout nine months after a wave of soldiers comes home... Hee!

[ymf.livejournal.com]

yay for you (=