Local data provided by the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit shows that 51 per cent of women are not comfortable breastfeeding in public.
Realizing that it is time for a change, the Health Unit has launched the “Normalize It” campaign at One Kids Place, to promote breastfeeding anywhere, any time.
“Ideally we want everyone to feel comfortable whether they’re bottle feeding, or breastfeeding, to feed their child anywhere, and not feel judged,” said Heather Lawson, Public Health Nurse.
“Health Canada and the Canadian Pediatric Society recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and then two years or longer with the addition of complimentary food.”
The health unit is spreading the “Normalize It” message using life-sized cut-outs of local moms breastfeeding their child.
Katie Ward is one of the moms who volunteered to be a model for the campaign. She has had only positive experiences breastfeeding her nine-month-old daughter Nora in public.
Her hope is that the campaign will change attitudes and empower women whose experiences might not have been as accepting, to persevere.
“From day one I was nursing my son in public, and now my daughter Nora. I’ve been lucky to have had positive responses from people in the community,” said Ward.
“For me, it was important to give back to the community that’s been so supportive of me breastfeeding. And I think it’s really important for many new moms who are figuring out the whole idea of having a new child, to get them feeling more comfortable nursing in the community and in their homes in general. Having the face of someone in North Bay who is nursing all the time, and seeing it all over the community I think, really helps raise the profile that it is a normal thing and can be done in any location in town. It breaks down the stigma of breastfeeding. Our kids need to eat, and this is a natural way to feed them.”
Kaitlyn Kelly, another campaign model, doesn’t want breastfeeding in public to be an issue when she is out with her 10-month-old daughter Sable
“I wanted to do this to help other moms feel as comfortable as I do breastfeeding out in public. I think it’s great that businesses are supporting moms who want to breastfeed by making them feel more comfortable going into places and knowing that they’re not going to be harassed for breastfeeding in a business or restaurant, any place like that.”
Businesses are starting to get on board by putting up small blue signs, also referred to as “clings,” with the universal breastfeeding symbol and the words “breastfeeding is welcome here.” It has proven successful with other Health Units.
Mother of five, and member of Breastfeeding Friendly Initiative Nipissing, Jesica Ouellette has grabbed hold of the concept and is out “Painting North Bay Blue,’ by reaching out to businesses to display a blue cling in their premises.
“I want to see our community welcoming moms. It makes me sad to get emails from moms feeling ashamed or having someone approach them and cover them up.”
Ouellette also encourages organizers of festivals or events, to have a designated area for moms to nurse or change their baby.
“My hometown of New Liskeard is amazing when it comes to breastfeeding. Our EarlyON centre actually sets up a tent at all our events, and has change tables, and rocking chairs to comfortably change and nurse babies,” said Ouellette.
“I’ve sat on a snowbank nursing my son at one local event, and changed a diaper in the rain at another festival because there was nowhere to go. I want to see change.”
Mayor Al McDonald says the community can expect to see clings posted in public buildings like arenas and transit.
“Knowing what we know about the importance of breastfeeding, for both mother and child, it is vital that we demonstrate our support for breastfeeding families. I’m going to encourage other communities to join in this committee. We need to be very inclusive.”
As a way to raise awareness and keep the dialogue going, the Health Unit has created an interactive contest.
“From October 1 to October 15, the cut-outs will be rotated around the Nipissing Parry Sound District. If you see one, take your picture with the cut-out, and send a personal message to the Health Unit Facebook and that way it can be shared as a photo album, and you have a chance to win one of three grocery store gift cards,” said Lawson.
“If you don’t see a cut-out and you still want to participate, you can send in a message, a personal story or a personal photo. The Health Unit website is www.myhealthunit.ca/normalizeit”
The cut-outs will be at various locations the North Bay and the Parry Sound district, including the YMCA, the Health Unit, and the hospital.
Clings are available at the Health Unit.
