Despite education campaigns for new mothers of the benefits of breastfeeding, a report to the Windsor Essex County Health Unit said rates remain low.
The report said only 16.3 per cent of local mothers exclusively breastfed their babies for six months.
The World Health Organization and Health Canada both recommended exclusive breastfeeding for a baby's first six months of life and continued breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond.
Benefits include a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, healthy brain development, a lower risk of chronic disease, and reduced risk of many childhood illnesses.
Upon discharge from the hospital, 57.4 per cent of new mothers were breastfeeding without supplementing with formula in 2017. A year later, that number dropped to 52 per cent. The provincial average is 61.2 per cent.
Two months post-partum, the percentage of new mothers still breastfeeding in Windsor-Essex dropped to 25.7 per cent.
In a bid to improve the statistics, the health unit will offer monthly prenatal breastfeeding classes in partnership with Windsor Regional Hospital. Nursing staff will also receive additional training to promote breastfeeding and provide home visits by a lactation consultant for women who are isolated, have multiple children, or suffer from a physical or mental ailment.
It also plans to launch an awareness campaign this year, including ads on social media, bus boards, and promotional material for doctors' offices and community groups in priority neighbourhoods.
