Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

The Breastfeeding Research Working Group of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) is a group of experienced medical, nursing, and research people from the Faculty of Medicine 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. Since BF is known to be 'best for baby' with short and long-term benefits for mom and baby, this group plans to look for ways to increase BF rates in NL since we fall far below the Canadian average. Breastfeeding is known to be 'best for baby' and has short-term (protects against diarrhea, respiratory tract infections, ear infections, meningitis, and urinary tract infections in infants and young children) and long-term benefits (protects against chronic illnesses, such as obesity and Type I and Type II diabetes). This is locally significant since NL reports some of the highest rates of all three chronic conditions, and reports the lowest rates of initiation and duration rates of BF, both nationally and internationally. Since breastfeeding has positive short- and long-term effects on maternal and infant health, then it has extended long-term effects by reducing health care costs. Programs to support a 'baby-friendly' atmosphere in hospitals and throughout community programs 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 Cafe Scientifique is being submitted along with an application for funding for a workshop relating to the 'New Directions in Breastfeeding Research in Newfoundland and Labrador'. We have two nationally acclaimed speakers who will be attending the workshop and the Cafe Scientifique. We are inviting the public, to attend.