Board of Health wants to increase local breastfeeding rates

Simcoe-Muskoka’s Board of Health wants to improve area breast feeding rates. The board has learned that single women who are in challenging social and economic circumstances and who have low social support are less likely to breastfeed. To help improve rates, the health unit has received a grant from Ontario’s Best Start Resource Centre for a community breastfeeding project. It will work towards improving breastfeeding support in communities across Simcoe and the District of Muskoka, educating grandmothers and other female relatives about their important role in supporting breastfeeding. The project will also provide hospital and community health care providers with increased knowledge and the ability to provide evidence-based breastfeeding information and support.