Breastfeeding rates in Windsor-Essex are at a 10-year low and significantly below the Ontario average.
According to data collected by the Windsor Essex County Health Unit, only 35.7 per cent of infants were exclusively breastfed prior to discharge from hospital or within the first three days following a home birth. The Ontario average is 46.8 per cent.
In 2012, 61.2 per cent of infants were exclusively breastfed prior to discharge from the hospital.
Registered Dietitian and Public Health Nutritionist Jennifer Jacob indicated declining breastfeeding rates and increasing prices for infant formula put local infants at higher risk of food insecurity.
"We're hoping to lend more energy to it this year, considering that food insecurity has become a priority and breastfeeding, we know, is the most effective way to ensure food security at the population level," said Jacob.
The health unit is launching a survey this year to better understand why some mothers are choosing not to breastfeed.
People who give birth in Windsor-Essex can expect the health unit to reach out to them around six months postpartum. They'll be asked about their experience and any barriers they faced if they attempted to breastfeed.
"Lactation consultant support that's free of charge is very limited in Windsor-Essex currently; we're hoping to close that gap," said Jacob. "I think there's also important work we can establish with our hospitals to ensure that we are doing everything we can for those who wish to breastfeed, particularly those who are low-income and have barriers to accessing infant formula. We want them to have every support put in place, starting prenatally with referrals to our [Healthy Babies Health Children] program for education around breastfeeding and in hospital that they have the support that they require there."
The health unit has set a goal to improve breastfeeding rates in the region by 2030.
Jacob noted other benefits to breastfeeding include reduced risk of infection in infants and a lower risk of some types of cancer for mothers.
