Nova Scotia Needs Postpartum and Breastfeeding Support
96 Comments
J
Jane Roycroft
12 years ago
I used these services, weekdays and weekends, in the early days of my baby's life, and they were extremely helpful and encouraging. In person prenatal classes were also important to me, most especially the ones on breastfeeding, labour and delivery. Online is NOT the same. Please maintain these services.
A
Andrea Marcantonio
12 years ago
If it was not for a PERSON coming to my house to correct my baby's latch, I would have quit breastfeeding after 8 days. It was so painful, I would cringe thinking about my baby latching on. All it took was a quick visit to correct the latch, and I had a great breastfeeding experience afterward and nursed my son until he wanted to stop, at 11 months.
S
Sarah Hardy Walsh
12 years ago
Featured
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
N
Nancy Rector
12 years ago
This not only put Nova Scotian infants' health at risk, but also maternal mental health. It also negatively affect the economy of the entire province since health promotion strategies are proven to have a long-term positive financial impact on the health care system. The literature shows that the most effective way to improve breastfeeding is a multi-prong approach by knowledgeable health care works and that IN-PERSON discussion is the most effective all all. Shame on the Dept of Health for cutting these important programs.
P
Paulina Klich
12 years ago
Featured
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!
L
Lynn Lavoie
12 years ago
Every post-partum mother needs follow-up from a professional nurse. I am an Information Professional with an advanced degree in Information Science. Trust me, I have viewed every Internet video there is on "how to latch your baby," etc. However, I still had many breastfeeding challenges because breastfeeding can be challenging in the early weeks and months for most mothers! Frankly, much of the information on the Internet is outdated AND the information from the most reputable sources can be fairly vague. When it is 3am and you are dead tired, weepy and dealing with ANY kind of breastfeeding challenge reputable, evidence-based online information can only get you so far! The same vague consistent liability-proof evidence-based answer doesn’t always cut it. Any breastfeeding-help professional can tell you that every mother is different and there are many variables that come into play that impact breastfeeding. The permutations of physiological variables (breast size and shape, capacity size, baby's tongue and mouth, positioning, etc.) and emotional/mental variables (fatigue, anxiety, stress, etc.) are mind-boggling. The home visits by my public health nurse made all the difference in me continuing to breastfeed (despite all of my visits to reputable websites) because she was able to accurately assess our situation and offer personalized subtle tweaks and suggestions that helped turn my (and my son’s) breastfeeding experience around. My son is 11 months old and we are still nursing! I am a first-time mother. How was I supposed to know if the "latch is good"? Um, I think so? The baby has the nipple in his mouth and appears to be suckling? I thought all was well! To me, my baby's suckling looked exactly like the suckling on the Internet video on the reputable website! Well, it turned out the latch was very shallow and my baby wasn't gaining weight. I had no clue, until my PH nurse came to visit and spotted the issue right away. I promise you without the perso
K
Karen
12 years ago
Despite this being the "digital age," I can attest from personal experience that breastfeeding in a skill that needs to be learned in person. The help I received, in person and over the phone, from midwives and nurses and lactation consultants in Halifax was vital to me surviving breastfeeding difficulties that almost caused me to abdandon breastfeeding entirely. Accessing these resources quickly, on any day, was vital - breastfeeding problems can go from bad to horrible within a day. DO NOT cut these desperately needed services that affect entire families, and the physical and mental well being of new mothers.
B
Beverley Simpson
12 years ago
I am a mother to a thriving little 7 month old girl. I went to all the prenatal classes, and also had a nurse come to my house for breastfeeding support. I ended up contacting this nurse many times with questions relating to breastfeeding, sleep and more. It was so helpful to a new mom! I am still breastfeeding and I believe all the positive encouragement by the health system has helped. It's difficult as a new mother to know what information is accurate and up to date so it is great to have resources that can be trusted, such as prenatal classes and the support of nurses. I am saddened that the new parents of the future might not have the same support that me and my husband have had.
M
Mansure Jung
12 years ago
the public health nurse is so helpful I dont wanna miss this experience for me and my son.....we received so much help.....this is an important service which should never get cut out of any woman's life.....thank you to all public health nurses out there
C
Christiane Nguyen
12 years ago
We must keep this! I can't express how important it is!
S
Sonia Losier
12 years ago
Please don't stop this service! I used the service several times back in 1999 and in 2001! They were like angels!
S
Stephanie Gilbert
12 years ago
Breastfeeding support for women in Nova Scotia is crucial to the success of breastfeeding mothers. I hardly know of any mothers who have NOT sought out breastfeeding support in some way,shape, or form if they have chosen to breastfeed. I believe that my success in breastfeeding can be attributed largely to the research I did before having my baby, which included the prenatal courses at the IWK as well as my own reading and courses with a doula.
J
Jean King
12 years ago
Very importnat to have the face to face family contact. My forst sone was born in a northern community and I did not have any access to these importnat supports. My other two spns were born in Halifax where there were these types of supports....what a wonderful feeling to know they are there! Please continue.
N
Nicole Arsenault
12 years ago
This is shocking. The crucial health benefits of breastfeeding are well-researched and acknowledged by all health bodies. This is shameful. I personally benefited from post-partum breastfeeding support in my home. Following a traumatic birth experience, my son and I were not able to get breastfeeding organized and it was through the determination and expert support that I received from public health nurses that we were able to get this going - after 12 days of struggle! It is a terrible idea to discontinue this service.
A
amber atwell
12 years ago
my significant other and i found these free resources to be so helpful with the birth of our daughter. with all of the information we received it enabled us to make informed choices and made our birth experience much better than if we hadn't attended these classes. the postpartum follow up with the public health nurse gave us added information and support with our choices to breastfeed and a number to call if we had any further questions. i think all expecting parents should be fortunate to have the same opportunity to give the babies coming into our community the best chance of having a healthy start.
S
Sally-Jo Gallant
12 years ago
This is such a valuable and essential resource for new mothers and most often requires the support of a real person with training and expertise. Nova Scotia needs these services and support.
J
Joan Glenister
12 years ago
Postpartum breastfeeding one-on-one follow-up support is essential to promote successful breastfeeding. Please do not discontinue this service!!
K
Kerstin Grzesik
12 years ago
Breastfeeding support is SO needed to new moms! I NEVER would have continued past 3 weeks if it wasn't for public health! We need to keep this program, that time is an emotional and difficult time for any new parent.
L
Lisa Conrad
12 years ago
This service was extremely helpful to me for both of my children and without it, I may have given up on breast feeding.
E
Elizabeth Carter
12 years ago
I am about to have my first baby and was told I was lucky to live in NS because of our children's hospital, but what is a good hospital with no staff?
I used these services, weekdays and weekends, in the early days of my baby's life, and they were extremely helpful and encouraging. In person prenatal classes were also important to me, most especially the ones on breastfeeding, labour and delivery. Online is NOT the same. Please maintain these services.
If it was not for a PERSON coming to my house to correct my baby's latch, I would have quit breastfeeding after 8 days. It was so painful, I would cringe thinking about my baby latching on. All it took was a quick visit to correct the latch, and I had a great breastfeeding experience afterward and nursed my son until he wanted to stop, at 11 months.
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
This not only put Nova Scotian infants' health at risk, but also maternal mental health. It also negatively affect the economy of the entire province since health promotion strategies are proven to have a long-term positive financial impact on the health care system. The literature shows that the most effective way to improve breastfeeding is a multi-prong approach by knowledgeable health care works and that IN-PERSON discussion is the most effective all all. Shame on the Dept of Health for cutting these important programs.
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!
Every post-partum mother needs follow-up from a professional nurse. I am an Information Professional with an advanced degree in Information Science. Trust me, I have viewed every Internet video there is on "how to latch your baby," etc. However, I still had many breastfeeding challenges because breastfeeding can be challenging in the early weeks and months for most mothers! Frankly, much of the information on the Internet is outdated AND the information from the most reputable sources can be fairly vague. When it is 3am and you are dead tired, weepy and dealing with ANY kind of breastfeeding challenge reputable, evidence-based online information can only get you so far! The same vague consistent liability-proof evidence-based answer doesn’t always cut it. Any breastfeeding-help professional can tell you that every mother is different and there are many variables that come into play that impact breastfeeding. The permutations of physiological variables (breast size and shape, capacity size, baby's tongue and mouth, positioning, etc.) and emotional/mental variables (fatigue, anxiety, stress, etc.) are mind-boggling. The home visits by my public health nurse made all the difference in me continuing to breastfeed (despite all of my visits to reputable websites) because she was able to accurately assess our situation and offer personalized subtle tweaks and suggestions that helped turn my (and my son’s) breastfeeding experience around. My son is 11 months old and we are still nursing! I am a first-time mother. How was I supposed to know if the "latch is good"? Um, I think so? The baby has the nipple in his mouth and appears to be suckling? I thought all was well! To me, my baby's suckling looked exactly like the suckling on the Internet video on the reputable website! Well, it turned out the latch was very shallow and my baby wasn't gaining weight. I had no clue, until my PH nurse came to visit and spotted the issue right away. I promise you without the perso
Despite this being the "digital age," I can attest from personal experience that breastfeeding in a skill that needs to be learned in person. The help I received, in person and over the phone, from midwives and nurses and lactation consultants in Halifax was vital to me surviving breastfeeding difficulties that almost caused me to abdandon breastfeeding entirely. Accessing these resources quickly, on any day, was vital - breastfeeding problems can go from bad to horrible within a day. DO NOT cut these desperately needed services that affect entire families, and the physical and mental well being of new mothers.
I am a mother to a thriving little 7 month old girl. I went to all the prenatal classes, and also had a nurse come to my house for breastfeeding support. I ended up contacting this nurse many times with questions relating to breastfeeding, sleep and more. It was so helpful to a new mom! I am still breastfeeding and I believe all the positive encouragement by the health system has helped. It's difficult as a new mother to know what information is accurate and up to date so it is great to have resources that can be trusted, such as prenatal classes and the support of nurses. I am saddened that the new parents of the future might not have the same support that me and my husband have had.
the public health nurse is so helpful I dont wanna miss this experience for me and my son.....we received so much help.....this is an important service which should never get cut out of any woman's life.....thank you to all public health nurses out there
We must keep this! I can't express how important it is!
Please don't stop this service! I used the service several times back in 1999 and in 2001! They were like angels!
Breastfeeding support for women in Nova Scotia is crucial to the success of breastfeeding mothers. I hardly know of any mothers who have NOT sought out breastfeeding support in some way,shape, or form if they have chosen to breastfeed. I believe that my success in breastfeeding can be attributed largely to the research I did before having my baby, which included the prenatal courses at the IWK as well as my own reading and courses with a doula.
Very importnat to have the face to face family contact. My forst sone was born in a northern community and I did not have any access to these importnat supports. My other two spns were born in Halifax where there were these types of supports....what a wonderful feeling to know they are there! Please continue.
This is shocking. The crucial health benefits of breastfeeding are well-researched and acknowledged by all health bodies. This is shameful. I personally benefited from post-partum breastfeeding support in my home. Following a traumatic birth experience, my son and I were not able to get breastfeeding organized and it was through the determination and expert support that I received from public health nurses that we were able to get this going - after 12 days of struggle! It is a terrible idea to discontinue this service.
my significant other and i found these free resources to be so helpful with the birth of our daughter. with all of the information we received it enabled us to make informed choices and made our birth experience much better than if we hadn't attended these classes. the postpartum follow up with the public health nurse gave us added information and support with our choices to breastfeed and a number to call if we had any further questions. i think all expecting parents should be fortunate to have the same opportunity to give the babies coming into our community the best chance of having a healthy start.
This is such a valuable and essential resource for new mothers and most often requires the support of a real person with training and expertise. Nova Scotia needs these services and support.
Postpartum breastfeeding one-on-one follow-up support is essential to promote successful breastfeeding. Please do not discontinue this service!!
Breastfeeding support is SO needed to new moms! I NEVER would have continued past 3 weeks if it wasn't for public health! We need to keep this program, that time is an emotional and difficult time for any new parent.
This service was extremely helpful to me for both of my children and without it, I may have given up on breast feeding.
I am about to have my first baby and was told I was lucky to live in NS because of our children's hospital, but what is a good hospital with no staff?