Contributed by Ingrid Tilstra, La Leche League Leader (Kelowna Chapter)

Consumers of organic food are aware of the importance of nourishing their bodies with high-quality foods to support optimal health. The media offers a constant stream of news stories making connections between diet and health, especially for children, yet the next logical step is not always taken—addressing the diet of our youngest children.

Many people are not aware that babies who receive breastmilk benefit from a decreased risk for a variety of health problems, in infancy, childhood, and later in life. A substantial body of research suggests that the potential health benefits of being breastfeed include: fewer vision problems, a better-regulated thymus during infancy, a higher IQ, a more effective immune system, lower rates of appendicitis, less trouble with cholesterol, lower rates of breast cancer, fewer emotional problems, fewer hernias, fewer intestinal disorders, lower rates of diabetes, fewer allergies, lower rates of childhood cancer, a lower risk of crooked teeth or under-formed jaws, more well-developed nerves, a lower risk of SIDS, and a lower risk of obesity.

In addition, there are many benefits to women who breastfeed, including lower rates of osteoporosis, lower rates of pre-menopausal breast cancer, lower anxiety, lower rates of cervical cancer, higher self-esteem, and more pleasure in early parenting.

Despite the sincere desire of many women to feed their children human milk rather than an artificial substitute, breastfeeding does not always progress smoothly, and when it does, parents still have many questions.

One support for breastfeeding mothers that has been available since 1956 is La Leche League International (La Leche League Canada was founded in 1961). La Leche League has long recommended feeding in response to a baby’s cues, waiting until about the middle of the first year to begin solid foods, and breastfeeding for a period of years rather than weeks or months. An increasing number of sources such as the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Canadian Pediatric Association and UNICEF, among others, have begun to echo these recommendations in recent years.

While scientific research continues to reinforce the stance La Leche League has taken on these and other issues, and forms the basis of La Leche League recommendations today, the original recommendations made over the past 50 years grew out of the careful observation of babies by mothers, and the sharing of information between women. This continues to be the heart of La Leche League today. La Leche League Leaders are volunteers trained and accredited by La Leche League Canada, and have all breastfed their own children. Leaders are available at any time by telephone, and will do home visits when it seems necessary.

La Leche League Kelowna also offers monthly meetings. A library of excellent books and other materials is available at meetings, as well as the opportunity to connect with other nursing mothers. Many women find that La Leche League meetings are the only place where they can talk about their breastfeeding (and parenting) challenges, and be offered solutions that are designed to preserve the breastfeeding relationship while addressing the mother’s concern.

La Leche League meetings consist of a friendly, informal discussion, with some direction and information provided by the Leader. While La Leche League meetings are normally open only to women, in Kelowna we have chosen to follow each series of four meetings with a meeting that is open to fathers. (In many cases, the greatest determiner of the success of a breastfeeding relationship is the mother’s partner and the degree of support he provides.)

In addition to the personal support provided by Leaders and other mothers, and the information available from the Group library, La Leche League International also operates the Centre for Breastfeeding Information (CBI), where breastfeeding research from around the world is collected and evaluated. Leaders can assist a mother with accessing information from the CBI when situations are more difficult or complex, such as illness of the mother or baby.

When women begin attending La Leche League meetings in pregnancy and continue to stay connected throughout their baby’s nursing life, breastfeeding problems are avoided or minimized. Having someone to turn to if there are problems can make all the difference to a breastfeeding relationship. Women receiving this kind of community support state that they have a greater confidence in their body’s ability to supply enough milk for their baby, and they appreciate having a source of trustworthy information for all the questions that come up as their baby grows.

We hope to see you (and your baby!) at a La Leche League meeting soon!

Contributed by La Leche League Canada – Kelowna 860-0575/ingridt@telus.net
Meetings: 1st Tuesday of each month, 2339 Richter (log cabin in Cameron Park)

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