Toronto Public Health wants to be Breastfeeding Friendly!

 While I am an American, part of my family came from Canada and I spent many summers there. I do not recall seeming many breastfeeding mothers growing up in either country. I am glad to have read that  Toronto Public Health is working with the  Breastfeeding Committee of Canada to get the label “baby friendly” by being more breastfeeding supportive. “Baby Friendly” is a international term for standard of care brought about in part by WHO and UNICEF.


 TPC has a goal to have 75% of mothers nursing. A very high number considering that right now at 6 months after birth the rate is only 17%. They also plan to combat the unethical marketing of formula products to new parents. Provide support at the hospital but also follow up home care. 


 TPC want to make breastfeeding the normal. They are aware the standard minimum time to breastfeed a baby is age 2 and want mothers to know it too. 


  I am joyed that this important topic is getting more attention and that being “baby friendly” is now an aim for more and more places. The only thing left out of this article was the importance of home birthing and the support given to those mothers as well.