LaSalle CLSC honoured for exemplary breastfeeding practices

LaSalle CLSC has received the <@Ri:>Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative <@$p:> (BFHI) accreditation. This international recognition is given by the Canadian Breastfeeding Committee in collaboration with the Quebec committee. It was the result of a long preparatory process undertaken by the LaSalle CLSC team, and more particularly by workers who provide pre-natal services and services to families with young children aged 0-5 years old.

It is the first establishment in the island to receive such accreditation. Montreal’s Public Health Department gave LaSalle CLSC a $5,000.00 financial assistance package and a souvenir plaque to highlight this recognition. In the whole province, two hospitals, seven CLSCs and a birthing house received the <@Ri:>Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative<@$p:> (BFHI) certification.

The <@Ri:>Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative<@$p:> is an international programme of the World Health Organisation and the UNICEF. It aims to promote exemplary caring practices to encourage, protect and support mothers who breastfeed – a practice that has a profound impact on public health.

To obtain this recognition, LaSalle CLSC had to successfully meet strict international standards including seven specific phases; it also committed to respect the International Code for Marketing Breast-Milk Substitutes. The phases include the adoption per establishment of a breastfeeding policy, complete and ongoing training of personnel on new knowledge about breastfeeding, up-to-date information for future parents during pre-natal sessions, and support to new families for starting and continuing breastfeeding for as long as mothers and children wish.

Welcoming breastfeeding mothers is also very important. For several years now, the CLSC has had a warm and practical breastfeeding facility so that mothers can breastfeed comfortably and be alone with their baby based on their needs.

Obtaining the BFHI certification comes from the devotion and continuing efforts of a team of workers. The collaboration between professionals and assistance and community groups is essential; the CLSC can rely on the generous contribution of volunteer sponsors from the <@Ri:>Nourri-Source<@$p:> Group of LaSalle who serve as moderators for breastfeeding every Saturday morning at the CLSC.