\t\tRead: 2 min<\/p>\n
Breastfeeding is a natural, learnt behaviour \u2014 the most cost-effective way to give a child a healthy start in life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Breastfeeding\u2019s benefits range from protecting against infections to reducing infant mortality. The World Health Organization estimates<\/a> that optimal breastfeeding practices could save over 820,000 children each year.<\/p>\n And yet, just 38 per cent<\/a> of Canadian infants are exclusively breastfed in their first six months \u2014 well below the WHO\u2019s target of 60 per cent.\u00a0<\/p>\n This low rate reflects gaps in Canadian health policy, coordination and accountability. If Canada wants to improve its breastfeeding rates, it should participate in the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi)<\/a>.<\/p>\n Launched 22 years ago, the WBTi helps countries assess and benchmark progress in implementing the\u00a0Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), a strategy developed by WHO and UNICEF.<\/p>\n The WBTi assessment evaluates how well governments support breastfeeding through their laws, policies and public health systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n To date, 100 countries have completed the independent assessment, with some having done so multiple times to track progress in improving their policy environments.<\/p>\n Yet, the WBTi has never been done in Canada.\u00a0<\/p>\n Currently, breastfeeding support, promotion and data monitoring vary significantly across the country, as do parental leave policies, lactation support and access to maternity care.\u00a0<\/p>\n The consequences are clear. According to Health Canada<\/a>, average breastfeeding initiation rates are 91 per cent after birth, but fall sharply within the first month postpartum.\u00a0<\/p>\n Thank you for being a paid subscriber. Our work would not be possible without your support.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n Subscribe to Editor’s Picks. Receive our free Saturday newsletter featuring our best stories from the week.<\/p>\n Many mothers report <\/a>the top reasons for stopping breastfeeding early are difficulties with breastfeeding and perceived insufficient milk supply.<\/p>\n One in three newborns in Canada is also born to parents who do not have access to paid, protected time with a parent \u2014 a factor that possibly also contributes to Canada\u2019s suboptimal breastfeeding rates. <\/p>\n A WBTi assessment could help change this trajectory.\u00a0<\/p>\n An assessment would enable Canada to align with international standards, identify policy gaps and establish a roadmap for action.\u00a0<\/p>\n The process is straightforward: partners and knowledge holders \u2014 including governments, researchers, health professionals, Indigenous leaders and advocates \u2014 collaborate to gather data, analyze policies and assess performance across 15 indicators. The outcome is a coloured scorecard and detailed report with specific, actionable, evidence-based recommendations.<\/p>\n We don’t have the resources of the\u00a0New York Times\u00a0or\u00a0Wall Street Journal. But we have something they don’t: Canadian heart. <\/p>\n Support Canadian journalism today.<\/p>\n Subscribe to Family Matters. Receive our free quarterly newsletter featuring stories that matter to your family’s health and well-being.<\/p>\n A completed WBTi assessment scorecard is associated with meaningful change. At least 18 high-income countries have completed the assessment. The United Kingdom recently completed its second assessment, with its findings presented this July in Parliament<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n