Dear Dr. Robert Strang, Department of Health and Wellness and the Government of Nova Scotia,
Our province already has an embarrassingly low breastfeeding rate, and while we understand that there has been a decline in demand for prenatal classes, surely there has to be a better way to support our mothers, and in turn our communities.
Postpartum and breastfeeding follow up support is crucial for a successful breastfeeding relationship. Recent studies show only about 12% of the 70% of NS women who intended to breastfeed after giving birth, manage to do so until 6 months, which is appalling. The World Health Organization recommends children be breastfed until the age of two years and here in NS we can barely keep our mothers going until 6 months. This is not acceptable.
Breastfeeding drastically reduces a number of health concerns in childhood and later in life including obesity, asthma, gastrointestinal diseases, and reduces the mothers chance of breast cancer and postpartum depression.
Breastfeeding not only lightens the financial burden on families, but also on our health care system. Nova Scotians cannot afford to let our breastfeeding rates continue to drop, and we believe that with these changes that will surely be the only outcome.
At a time when the province is clearly struggling with our nurse to patient ratio, we cannot understand how the province could cease support for something that will drastically improve the health of growing communities and keep more children and adults out of hospitals.
The old saying "It takes a village to raise a child" could not be more true. While more and more mothers are using online resources while pregnant and postpartum nothing truly compares to meeting other mothers and members of your community and being truly supported face to face. Not only is the internet often a source for plenty of misinformation on pregnancy and breastfeeding but there is also a resounding culture of competitiveness and lack of emotional support. New mothers need prenatal classes to meet other mothers, forge relationships, and have their fears and concerns answered from a loving smiling face, not a glaring computer screen.
Not to mention that many rural families that will lose these prenatal classes do not have internet access.
In addition to these proposed changes Capital Health has recently cut back it's postpartum phone support to weekdays instead of 7 days a week. If a brand new mother is having difficulty breastfeeding, waiting 48 hours to receive help can easily destroy the breastfeeding relationship entirely.
This issue affects all Nova Scotians, not just mothers and children. Please, for the future of our children, our communities and our health care system, do something about this unacceptable change. Our province must continue it's postpartum and breastfeeding follow ups as well as offering prenatal classes to all.
Sincerely,
the undersigned concerned citizens
Updates
March 31, 2014
I have spent the last few days reading through your stories about the isolation felt when those support systems disappear. It is heart-wrenching to know so many of us felt like we were failing when we were actually just abandoned by the system. I am currently reaching out to local representatives to ensure these personal experiences are placed directly on their desks.
March 31, 2014
Seeing this momentum grow reminds me of the nights I spent struggling alone with my newborn because the guidance just was not there. Knowing so many of you share this frustration makes me feel like we might actually hold the government accountable for the health of our families.
Reached 100 supporters
March 31, 2014
96 Comments
the benefits of breastfeeding are well-documented and incontrivertible. There are fewer drains on our healthcare system when we do everythingwe can to support healthy motheres and babies. These cuts are short-sighted aand harmful!
While the new approach focuses on support for 'vulnerable populations', all new mothers are vulnerable in those first weeks of breastfeeding. Offering universal postpartum visits & breastfeeding support is vital to many families who'll no longer receive it because they don't 'screen in' to the program
New moms need to come out and meet moms and babies! It is for their sanity! I can't imagine my maternity without meeting all of these wonderful moms and their babies at the postpartum support groups. New moms need to go out to meet other moms, not just sit in pijamas in front of the computer!
While having realiable online resources would be useful, it is definitely important to continue having personal support available as the online world can be confusing and easily misinterpreted by sleep deprirved new mums who need a kind face just as much as they need the information.
Were it not for the incredible supprt I recieved from a Public Health Nurse after the birst of my son, I really don't think we'd have had the positive and healthful breast feeding relationship we've enjoyed for 14 months.
Postpartum support
Please do not abandon new mothers and babies when they need you most. Giving new families the best start once they leave the birthing room pays off over and over again, for the physical and mental health of all involved.
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Dear Dr. Robert Strang, Department of Health and Wellness and the Government of Nova Scotia,
Our province already has an embarrassingly low breastfeeding rate, and while we understand that there has been a decline in demand for prenatal classes, surely there has to be a better way to support our mothers, and in turn our communities.
Postpartum and breastfeeding follow up support is crucial for a successful breastfeeding relationship. Recent studies show only about 12% of the 70% of NS women who intended to breastfeed after giving birth, manage to do so until 6 months, which is appalling. The World Health Organization recommends children be breastfed until the age of two years and here in NS we can barely keep our mothers going until 6 months. This is not acceptable.
Breastfeeding drastically reduces a number of health concerns in childhood and later in life including obesity, asthma, gastrointestinal diseases, and reduces the mothers chance of breast cancer and postpartum depression.
Breastfeeding not only lightens the financial burden on families, but also on our health care system. Nova Scotians cannot afford to let our breastfeeding rates continue to drop, and we believe that with these changes that will surely be the only outcome.
At a time when the province is clearly struggling with our nurse to patient ratio, we cannot understand how the province could cease support for something that will drastically improve the health of growing communities and keep more children and adults out of hospitals.
The old saying "It takes a village to raise a child" could not be more true. While more and more mothers are using online resources while pregnant and postpartum nothing truly compares to meeting other mothers and members of your community and being truly supported face to face. Not only is the internet often a source for plenty of misinformation on pregnancy and breastfeeding but there is also a resounding culture of competitiveness and lack of emotional support. New mothers need prenatal classes to meet other mothers, forge relationships, and have their fears and concerns answered from a loving smiling face, not a glaring computer screen.
Not to mention that many rural families that will lose these prenatal classes do not have internet access.
In addition to these proposed changes Capital Health has recently cut back it's postpartum phone support to weekdays instead of 7 days a week. If a brand new mother is having difficulty breastfeeding, waiting 48 hours to receive help can easily destroy the breastfeeding relationship entirely.
This issue affects all Nova Scotians, not just mothers and children. Please, for the future of our children, our communities and our health care system, do something about this unacceptable change. Our province must continue it's postpartum and breastfeeding follow ups as well as offering prenatal classes to all.
Sincerely,
the undersigned concerned citizens
Updates
March 31, 2014
I have spent the last few days reading through your stories about the isolation felt when those support systems disappear. It is heart-wrenching to know so many of us felt like we were failing when we were actually just abandoned by the system. I am currently reaching out to local representatives to ensure these personal experiences are placed directly on their desks.
March 31, 2014
Seeing this momentum grow reminds me of the nights I spent struggling alone with my newborn because the guidance just was not there. Knowing so many of you share this frustration makes me feel like we might actually hold the government accountable for the health of our families.
Reached 100 supporters
March 31, 2014
96 Comments
The home visit the morning after we brought our newborn home saved our sanity. Online is not remotely useful. 99% of it is total crap, and with a newborn you have no way to distinguish the good from the bad.
the benefits of breastfeeding are well-documented and incontrivertible. There are fewer drains on our healthcare system when we do everythingwe can to support healthy motheres and babies. These cuts are short-sighted aand harmful!
While the new approach focuses on support for 'vulnerable populations', all new mothers are vulnerable in those first weeks of breastfeeding. Offering universal postpartum visits & breastfeeding support is vital to many families who'll no longer receive it because they don't 'screen in' to the program
New moms need to come out and meet moms and babies! It is for their sanity! I can't imagine my maternity without meeting all of these wonderful moms and their babies at the postpartum support groups. New moms need to go out to meet other moms, not just sit in pijamas in front of the computer!
While having realiable online resources would be useful, it is definitely important to continue having personal support available as the online world can be confusing and easily misinterpreted by sleep deprirved new mums who need a kind face just as much as they need the information.
Were it not for the incredible supprt I recieved from a Public Health Nurse after the birst of my son, I really don't think we'd have had the positive and healthful breast feeding relationship we've enjoyed for 14 months.
Postpartum support
Please do not abandon new mothers and babies when they need you most. Giving new families the best start once they leave the birthing room pays off over and over again, for the physical and mental health of all involved.
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The home visit the morning after we brought our newborn home saved our sanity. Online is not remotely useful. 99% of it is total crap, and with a newborn you have no way to distinguish the good from the bad.