The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority says it is working to add additional lactation and infant feeding supports aimed at benefitting families and newborns across the North.
In a news release, the authority states that it has established a dedicated lactation consultant who will help families follow traditional infant feeding practices and Health Canada guidelines which recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months continuing for up to at least two years as well as other appropriate foods.
The authority adds that healthcare providers and families across the territory have asked for additional support and training in lactation and infant feeding. This position will help meet that need by training healthcare staff and offering more culturally relevant information about safe infant feeding.
The consultant will provide information on best practice tools and provide advice to other health care workers on complex infant feeding cases such as cleft palates or other physical
or social challenges.
For more information or to access online resources, visit www.nthssa.ca/infantfeeding.
