(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

[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!