October 2, 2002 – The Chronicle, Montreal’s West Island community newspaper

Goal to increase breastfeeding: nurse

BY BARBARA LAVOIE

Breastfeeding: Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies is the theme of this year`s World Breastfeeding Week. Initiated by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), the week promotes breastfeeding and its importance to the health and well-being of infants and young children.

This Friday a special information booth will be set up at Fairview Shopping Centre from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to offer education, information and resources to anyone interested in breastfeeding.

"We encourage everyone to visit our booth, not just new moms. Anyone can do something to help encourage breastfeeding - fathers, grandfathers, sisters and brothers," said Maryse Lafontaine, Nourri-Source board member.

The event is a collaborative effort organized by the West Island Regional Committee for Breastfeeding with the help of local non-profit groups, government agencies and businesses.

On hand throughout the day will be representatives from Nourri-Source and La Leche League, nurses from the CLSCs and the birthing centre at Lakeshore General Hospital along with private lactation consultants and a pharmacist from the Kirkland Wal-Mart.

Learn more about the latest research - breastfeeding can prevent diabetes and obesity in later life. Find out about the many local resources available for support. Test your knowledge by taking a short quiz.

"The goal is to increase the rate of breastfeeding. In Quebec, only 49% of mothers breastfeed their babies, but the rate in BC is 83%. We believe new moms need more encouragement and support," noted Elisabeth Gendron-Wood, a nurse at the CLSC Lac-Saint-Louis.

Early intervention can be the key to a successful breastfeeding experience. West Island residents, Lucie Laurin and baby Kayla, attend the weekly Nourri-Source support group meetings held at the CLSC Lac-Saint-Louis. "I regretted not going sooner. They helped me right away," said Laurin. "I was ready to give up on breastfeeding, but with everyone's help, I continued." She recently volunteered to become a support mother herself. A new mom will be given her telephone number so questions can be answered in between the group meetings.

Nourri-Source weekly support groups are held at both CLSC Lac-Saint-Louis and CLSC Pierrefonds. The non-profit organization, founded in 1982, also provides a free telephone-support line and publishes the booklet, The Little Nursing Guide, available for $5 in both English and French.

La Leche League has helped mothers breastfeed around the world for more than 40 years through a system of mother-to-mother support and education. Local meetings are held at the Lakeshore Hospital birthing centre and at the CLSC Lac-Saint-Louis.

Breastfeeding Resources in the West Island

Nourri-Source

6006, de Bordeaux, Montreal

Telephone 948-5160

La Leche League

Telephone 631-0117 or 697-0754

CLSC Lac Saint-Louis

180 Cartier, Pointe Claire

Telephone 697-4110

www.santepub-mtl.qc.ca/Portrait/Clsc/stlouis/stlouis.html

CLSC Pierrefonds

13800 Gouin Blvd., Pierrefonds

Telephone 626-2572

www.santepub-mtl.qc.ca/Portrait/Clsc/pierrefonds/pierrefonds.html