World Rabies Day – One Health, Zero Death

World Rabies Day-September 28-One Health, Zero Deaths

Rabies is a virus that infects warm-blooded animals like cats, dogs, bats, racoons, skunks, and foxes. Once in the body, the virus travels through the nervous system to the brain and is spread through the saliva of infectious animals. A bite or scratch from an infectious animal can spread the virus to other animals or people. Rabies is fatal, but … Read More

Canada’s 1st Ever Safe Sleep Week

Baby sleeping soundly in empty crib.

Last week we celebrated Canada’s first ever “Safe Sleep Week”. We wanted to recap the week with 8 great tips that will help to reduce the risk of accidental deaths and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in infants. To practice safe sleep with your infant, ensure that you are doing the following: • Breastfeed your baby* — this has been … Read More

CK Public Health supports all mothers in their infant feeding decision

The CK Public Health Unit understands and agrees that every mother wants what is best for their child and their family. There is never any judgement toward how a mother feeds her child. Our goal is to offer education and support to make informed decisions around infant feeding.  Unfortunately, for the past 120 years, companies that market formula to parents … Read More

What can I do to support breastfeeding?

A new young mother gets encouragement from her mom while breastfeeding her infant daughter

Support breastfeeding by: Giving positive acknowledgement when you see someone breastfeeding. Learning about breastfeeding and using the information to dispel myths and misconceptions. Finding out about breastfeeding resources in your community and sharing the information with expectant parents. Helping a breastfeeding family – provide dinner one night, offer to run errands, watch baby for an hour while mother rests etc. … Read More

What can I do to promote breastfeeding?

Woman breastfeeding on subway

Promote breastfeeding by: Checking to see if your workplace has a policy that supports breastfeeding when an employee returns to work following maternity leave. Donating a current book about breastfeeding to the local library. There are even some excellent children’s books that tell a story about a baby being breastfed. Encouraging public places such as libraries, arenas, restaurants and shopping … Read More

What can I do to protect breastfeeding?

Woman breastfeeding her baby while working at the office

Protect breastfeeding by: Taking a stand against misleading and aggressive marketing of infant formula, bottles and artificial nipples. Don’t distribute formula samples or coupons. Clear your workplace of brochures, measuring tapes, weigh scale paper and other products that have commercial endorsements. Encouraging the government to monitor adherence to the Code and when violations are detected, to impose sanctions as permitted … Read More

How long should a baby breastfeed or receive breastmilk?

Woman in Ethiopia breastfeeding outside

Global, national and provincial experts recommend: The early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life. Continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond, with introduction of nutritionally adequate and safe complementary (solid) foods at 6 months. To learn more, please visit: http://www.bfiontario.ca/lets-celebrate-national-breastfeeding-week-october-1st-7th https://waba.org.my/ https://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/

But, not all mothers can or want to breastfeed…

Mother holding sleeping baby

The Baby-Friendly Initiative knows that there are medical and personal reasons for the use of infant formula. Families that make an informed decision to formula feed are encourage to get individual guidance and support. There are risks to formula feeding, however, there are ways to reduce these risks. To learn more, please visit: http://www.bfiontario.ca/lets-celebrate-national-breastfeeding-week-october-1st-7th https://waba.org.my/ https://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/

What does infant feeding have to do with the environment?

Woman breastfeeding in a wheat filed

Breastmilk is a natural, renewable food that’s environmentally safe because it’s produced and delivered to the baby without pollution, packaging or waste. Infant formula requires farming, storage, pasteurization, processing, packaging, shipping and recycling. Also, the dairy industry is a large contributor to methane emissions. Feeding infant formula leaves a major environmental footprint that contributes to the depletion of natural resources, … Read More

Let’s Celebrate National Breastfeeding Week!

World Breastfeeding Week Poster

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is a global network that protects, promotes and supports breastfeeding worldwide. Each year WABA selects a theme for World Breastfeeding Week and the 2020 theme is Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet! To learn more, please visit: http://www.bfiontario.ca/lets-celebrate-national-breastfeeding-week-october-1st-7th https://waba.org.my/ https://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/

Virtual Breastfeeding Challenge on Zoom!

Mother breastfeeding baby in field while baby-wearing

The Chatham-Kent Breastfeeding Coalition invites you to the 1st ever Virtual Breastfeeding Challenge on Zoom! Monday October 5 at 10:30 a.m., Latch-On will be at 10:45 a.m. Come celebrate National Breastfeeding Week with us! This year’s theme is “Support Breastfeeding for a Healthier Planet”. Breastfeeding contributes positively towards planetary health – it’s sustainable, ecological and good for human health. This … Read More

Public Health Nurses Support Healthy Growth & Development During Pandemic

From breastfeeding support, hospital visits and postpartum follow up, prenatal education, mental health support, and education on all things pregnancy, birth, parenting, and child growth and development – those are just a few areas our Public Health Nurses with the Healthy Growth and Development team cover. And, they are continuing to offer services through the pandemic. Karen (pictured above) has … Read More