Breastfeeding rates in Windsor-Essex have dropped to their lowest point in ten years, falling well below the provincial average.
Data from the Windsor Essex County Health Unit shows that only 35.7 percent of infants were exclusively breastfed before leaving the hospital or within the first three days after a home birth. In comparison, the Ontario average stands at 46.8 percent.
Back in 2012, 61.2 percent of infants were exclusively breastfed prior to being discharged from the hospital.
Registered Dietitian and Public Health Nutritionist Jennifer Jacob pointed out that declining breastfeeding rates and rising costs for infant formula increase food insecurity risks for local infants.
“We’re hoping to lend more energy to it this year, considering that food insecurity has become a priority and breastfeeding, we know, is the most effective way to ensure food security at the population level,” said Jacob.
This year, the health unit will be launching a survey aimed at understanding why some mothers opt not to breastfeed.
Mothers who give birth in Windsor-Essex can expect to hear from the health unit about six months after giving birth. They’ll be asked about their experiences and any challenges they encountered while attempting to breastfeed.
“Lactation consultant support that’s free of charge is very limited in Windsor-Essex currently; we’re hoping to close that gap,” said Jacob. “I think there’s also important work we can establish with our hospitals to ensure that we are doing everything we can for those who wish to breastfeed, particularly those who are low-income and have barriers to accessing infant formula. We want them to have every support put in place, starting prenatally with referrals to our [Healthy Babies Health Children] program for education around breastfeeding and in hospital that they have the support that they require there.”
The health unit aims to boost breastfeeding rates in the region by 2030.
Jacob mentioned additional benefits of breastfeeding include a lower risk of infections for infants and decreased chances of certain cancers for mothers.
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