Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre hosted a breastfeeding awareness day on Sept. 26 at the Western Development Museum in honour of Breastfeeding Week in Canada, which was Oct. 1- 7.
Offering words of wisdom and support were elders Mary Kahpeatsewat and Melvina Thomas, our Elders.
Traditionally, First Nations newborns were breastfed exclusively after birth. They were breastfed for at least two years and often for four to five years. Nursing both a newborn and a toddler was also common. Babies were breastfed as women went about their lives, held in arms, while in a cradleboard or while working. The protection of infants was the core of traditional infant care through close and constant contact with mother and breastfeeding. Breastfeeding was thought to nourish, protect, guide, comfort and ensure a strong bond between infant and mother, all of which contributed to "living a good life," just as the umbilical cord had done before birth (Breastfeeding for the Health and Future of Our Nation, Best Start, 2013).
Susan Hartman RN, BSN, CDE spoke about gestational diabetes and breastfeeding. She stated diabetes that is initially discovered during pregnancy is known as Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. If a woman is living with diabetes and desires pregnancy, it is important for her to take steps to ensure her diabetes is in control prior to becoming pregnant to optimize the chances for a healthy pregnancy. After baby is born, the infant's risk for developing diabetes in later life is greater than for an infant born from a mother without GDM or pre-existing diabetes. Breastfeeding all infants greatly lowers their risk for developing diabetes as they grow.
Mary-Ann Gibson, MSW, RSW (SK) stated breastfeeding is an ideal way for mother and baby to form the early attachments that last a lifetime and blossom into the making of family. We learn who we are, and how much we matter by how our caregivers respond to us. The skin-to-skin gentle touch and nurturing that occur during breastfeeding provide babies what they need to grow physically, mentally and emotionally.
Meagan Kachur, Children's Oral Health Initiative dental therapist, FNIH said breastfeeding facilitates proper dental and jaw development, and breastfed babies get fewer cavities (this is because of the positioning of the breast in the mouth; it is further back, whereas a bottle's nipple hits the teeth directly and just sits on the teeth).
Thank you to all community members who attended the breastfeeding awareness day and thank you to the panel of breastfeeding moms who helped make the day a huge success. Your words of perseverance and encouragement have touched our hearts.
