Baby-Friendly™ Designation (Motion #05-13)

Moved by Schoppman, Spencer. Approved on January 17, 2013, by the Sudbury & District Board of Health.

Motion

WHEREAS exclusive and sustained breastfeeding provides a biologically efficient system that provides nutritional, immunological, and emotional nurturing for normal growth and development during the vulnerable first years of a child’s life; and

WHEREAS Health Canada, the Canadian Pediatric Society, the Dietitians of Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada state that breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months, and sustained for up to two years or longer with appropriate complementary feeding is important for the nutrition, immunologic protection, growth, and development of infants and toddlers; and

WHEREAS 82% of mothers in the Sudbury & District Health Unit area intended to breastfeed, but only 50% of mothers were feeding breastmilk in hospital and at discharge; and

WHEREAS achieving Baby-Friendly™ designation is a new Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Accountability Agreement requirement for all public units;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Sudbury & District Board of Health direct the Medical Officer of Health to achieve Baby-Friendly™ designation; and

FURTHER THAT the Board of Health request that all municipalities within the Sudbury & District area protect, promote, and support breastfeeding through best practices as outlined in the Baby Friendly Initiative.

 

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This item was last modified on June 12, 2015