Wednesday, April 06, 2011
New Saturday service helps breastfeeding Ottawa mothers
Ottawa - Mothers who need help with breastfeeding on weekends now have a place to go for support, thanks to a new partnership between Ottawa Public Health (OPH) and Mothercraft Ottawa.
Saturdays
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Mothercraft Ottawa - Ontario Early Years Centre
475 Evered Avenue
Free of charge
The new drop-in meets a critical community need for Ottawa mothers who require urgent support and follow-up with breastfeeding during the weekend. This new drop-in, supported by OPH for one year, is in addition to the existing 13 breastfeeding drop-ins available free-of-charge Monday to Friday to Ottawa residents at community health centres and other community resource centres.
This Saturday drop-in encourages a breastfeeding-friendly environment for mothers, their partners and family members. Ninety per cent of women in Ottawa breastfeed during the first days after birth, but breastfeeding rates decline as many women switch to formula within the first three months after giving birth. By six months, only 39 per cent of Ottawa mothers continue to exclusively breastfeed. Many mothers stop breastfeeding due to a lack of support with breastfeeding.
The Mothercraft Ottawa drop-in, located in Westboro, offers a central location with free parking and accessibility to public transit. Lactation consultants provide mothers with education, counselling and referrals, in addition to a resource library with breastfeeding supports.
For more information on breastfeeding drop-ins and other supports in Ottawa visit ottawa.ca/health, call Ottawa Public Health Information Line at 613-580-6744 or contact Mothercraft Ottawa at 613-728-1839.
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