Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

The Breastfeeding Research Working Group (BFRWG) of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) is an experienced medical, nursing, and research team from the Faculty of Medicine/School of Pharmacy at Memorial University, the NL Provincial Perinatal Program (NLPPP), the NL Centre for Health Information (NLCHI), and the NL Provincial Breastfeeding Coalition. At present, this team is working on a large three-part study that is looking at why women breastfeed (BF) their babies. The aim is to increase BF rates in NL, since we fall far below the Canadian average. Breastfeeding is known to be "best for baby" because it has both short-term benefits (protects infants and young children against diarrhea, respiratory tract infections, ear infections, meningitis, and urinary tract infections) and long-term benefits (protects against chronic illnesses, such as obesity and Type I and Type II diabetes). Breastfeeding is also known to have extended long-term effects by reducing health care costs. This is significant locally since NL reports some of the highest rates of all three chronic conditions, yet it reports the lowest rates of initiation and duration rates of BF, both nationally and internationally. Programs to support a "baby-friendly" atmosphere in hospitals and throughout community programs can improve breastfeeding rates. More importantly, interventions to support expectant and new mothers in the area of infant feeding are central to improving the health of both mother and child. This current application for funding for a Café Scientifique in Gander, NL is being submitted as a follow-up to ones held in St. John's, NL on November 24, 2010 and Corner Brook, NL on May 23, 2012 on this very important topic. Of course, the audience of interest is expectant and new/experienced mothers and fathers, their support persons, and all interested members of the public.