HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-11-130 - Breastfeeding-Friendly Facilities complete~~~..~L 1~~ ~~1~~ G~~f~~~~~~ ~f L~~~ WWW.II~i~~~~~r.~~
REPORT T0: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: September 26, 2011
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and
Services ,ext. 2687
PREPARED BY: Denise Keelan, Manager of Aquatics and Athletics, ext. 2706
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: September 19t" , 2011
REPORT NO.: CSD-11-130
SUBJECT: CITY OF KITCHENER ENDORSEMENT OF
BREASTFEEDING-FRIENDLY FACILITIES
RECOMMENDATION:
WHEREAS, breastfeeding is recognized as an important way to provide food and
immunologic protection for the health, growth and development of infants and children;
and
WHEREAS, a mother's decision to breastfeed her child in public is supported by the
Ontario Human Rights Commission; and
WHEREAS, Waterloo Region Public Health supports the World Health Organization
(WHO) and Health Canada in recommending breastfeeding for a child up to two years of
age and beyond; and
WHEREAS, there is a wide variation in public attitudes towards breastfeeding in public;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT all facilities managed by the City of Kitchener be
declared as breastfeeding-friendly places; and
THAT all City of Kitchener facilities post signage, as attached to Report CSD-11-130, to
show thatthey are breastfeeding-friendly facilities; and
THAT staff continue to work with Waterloo Region Baby-Friendly Initiative Advisory
Group ,communicating the benefits of and supporting breastfeeding in our community.
BACKGROUND:
Attitudes towards women breastfeeding in public vary greatly in Canada and around the world.
Although many recognize the benefits of breastfeeding to the child, not all support breastfeeding
in public. Province wide, there is documented evidence suggesting instances where mothers,
~ Members of the Waterloo Region Baby-Friendly Initiative Advisory Group include representatives from Region of
Waterloo Public Health (Chair), Blue Heron Midwives, Cambridge Midwives, Genesis Midwives, K-W Midwives, St.
Jacob's Midwives, Grand River Hospital, Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Kitchener Downtown Community Health
Centre Peer Breastfeeding Program, La Leche League, Conestoga College, Cambridge Community Breastfeeding
Group, and also includes breastfeeding mothers.
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Staff Report
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who have chosen to breastfeed in public, have been treated disrespectfully and have felt
humiliated by others.
Even at a local level, in City of Kitchener facilities, a snapshot of our own staff and patron
awareness of this topic indicates a mixed understanding of the rights of the nursing mother and
associated responsibilities. In the last year, two situations occurred whereby mothers, who
were breastfeeding in City of Kitchener facilities, were asked to cover up or move to a more
private location. At the time, neither staff nor the patrons realized that both of these suggestions
were in violation of the Ontario Human Rights Code. Since these instances, staff at our pools
and community centres have been trained and understand the rights of a nursing mother. Staff
is suggesting that the next progressive step would be to ensure that nursing mothers feel safe
and supported while breastfeeding at our facilities.
REPORT:
The Ontario Human Rights Code is very clear regarding the rights of a mother who chooses to
nurse in public. It states the following:
Women have a right to nurse undisturbed, and cannot be prevented from breastfeeding
a child in, for example, a public area or restaurant. They also cannot be asked to move
to a more "discreet" area to breastfeed a child, or to "cover up".
Women should have the choice to feed their babies in the way that they feel is most
dignified, comfortable and healthy.
At times women are discouraged by others from breastfeeding in public places because of
concerns that it is indecent. However, breastfeeding is in fact a matter of health and not one of
public decency. Research shows that nursing is the best way to provide optimal nutrition and
immunologic protection for the health, growth and development of infants and children. It has
been shown that children who are breastfed have an increased immunity to disease and
infection and show a reduced risk of asthma, allergies and respiratory illnesses to name a few.
Recognizing the health benefits, many progressive cities are taking steps to change attitudes
and provide supportive environments to encourage breastfeeding in public. Quebec and Nova
Scotia have provincial government-supported initiatives underway that support breastfeeding
and include development of provincial policies and guidelines. The City of Toronto has approved
a policy which supports women who live, work or visit Toronto to breastfeed anytime and
anywhere in public spaces controlled by the City. The plans and program they administer is
fully outlined on their website, www.toronto.calhealth/breastfeedinglfriendl~places ,and contains
information on the health benefits, Ontario Human Rights Code information and how facilities
can become breastfeeding-friendly. Numerous Ontario Community Health units are working
with their municipalities to develop breastfeeding-friendly policies and guidelines in their
communities. London, Hamilton and Ottawa currently have endorsement from their Health
Department to support breastfeeding-friendly facility initiatives.
Locally, recognizing that a longer duration of breastfeeding improves the health of infants and
children in our community, Region of Waterloo Public Health continues to encourage mothers to
nurse exclusively until a child is six months of age and continue to two years and beyond with
the introduction of appropriate complementary foods. The Region supports the City of
Kitchener's initiative of declaring all facilities breastfeeding-friendly and will work with the City of
Kitchener to provide supportive environments for mothers to nurse.
The following is being proposed for our city pools, arenas, city hall, community centres and
other buildings that the City of Kitchener operates.
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Staff Report
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Signage: The international breastfeeding-friendly symbol, as attached to report CSD-11-130,
will be placed at all public City of Kitchener facilities in support of this breastfeeding-friendly
initiative.
Education/Communications: Staff will work in partnership with the Waterloo Region Baby-
Friendly Initiative Advisory Group (WRBFIAG) to develop communications and information tools
to educate staff and patrons. The tools will outline:
the benefits of nursing for mothers, children, and the community, including the physical
and emotional health and development benefits,
the rights of a mother who chooses to breastfeed in a public area.
Communications will focus on creating a climate of understanding and respect for nursing
mothers. Understanding that there may be individuals who are uncomfortable with a nursing
mother in a public space, part of the education and communication component will include tools
for staffto address possible concerns, yet support the nursing mother.
Finally, in the past (2010), the City of Kitchener has hosted a Breastfeeding Challenge at the
Kitchener Market. This is an event to celebrate breastfeeding and engage in a friendly
competition with other municipalities across Canada to get the most babies "latched" at one
time. The event was very successful and well-attended in 2010, and a similar event is planned
for October of this year in cooperation with the City of Kitchener.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Community Priority: Quality of Life - "ensure that Kitchener achieves and sustains its vision of
broad community health and well being."
Diversity - "ensure that Kitchener embraces opportunities to build an
inclusive community."
Foundation: Efficient and Effective Government
Goal: Public Sector Leadership "To position the municipality as a leader in
public sector policy, processes and systems."
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Costs for signage will be minimal, approximately $10 per sign, and covered in current operating
budgets.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The Region of Waterloo Health Department and the WRBFIAG have been partners in this
initiative and will continue to work in cooperation with City of Kitchener staff.
Dr. Liana Nolan, the Region of Waterloo Medical Officer of Health, has provided a letter of
support as attached to report CSD-11-130.
CKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO, Community Services
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. p~1BLfC HEA~T~
`~,~~~` Child and Family Health
ti .
P.O. Box X633 .
. 99 Regina Street South
Waterloo aN N2J 4V3 Canada
. Re~~on of 1~laterloa Telephones 619-883-2000
FaX:519-883-221
. www.region.wateri0o.on.ca
August 22~`~, 2a1 ~
Councillor Kelly Gallaway, Chair, and members of the Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
City of Kitchener . .
20~ King Street West ~ .
.Kitchener, ON. N2G 4G7 ~ .
~'b ~Caurcillar Kelly Gallcu~ayl, Chai, , and r~e~b~rs of the CQmr~;~hifif and Infrastructure Services. .
Committee: .
It is my pleasure to express support for the report and recommendations to be brought forward September
26, 201 ~ related to the endorsement of breastfeeding friendly `facilities in the City of Kitchener. .
. .
Breastfeeding provides protectivefactors against illness and disease for children and breastfeeding
mothers..Can~sistentwith the World Health Organization and Health Canada, Region afWaterloo
recommends exclusive breastfeeding` far. the f rst six months of life;. na solid foals, no breast. milk substitute
{formula}, no water,. or any other liquids. It is~ further recommended that breastfeeding continue until
children are two years~of age ar older, with the addition of nutrient-rich solid foods. As such, breastfeeding
. is the norm among families in Waterloo Region, and we continually strive to increase the number of families
who initiate breastfeeding at the birth of their~child; and continue breastfeeding for~as long as possible.
A community which supports mothers to breastfeed anytime, anywhere~contributes to a woman's decision
to breastfeed longer, ultimately benefiting the health of children and mothers. Public facilities such as
parks, community centres, libraries, arenas and pools are special places for families to spend time..
together. Ensuring that breastfeeding families are welcome and supported in public spaces not only
influences personal breastfeeding practices, but also provides a positive and healthy example for. other
families and children:
On behalf of the Region of Waterloo Public Health, I commend the leadership and vision of the Ci#y of
Kitchener to ensure that breastfeedin g families are ~~elcome and supported in all fapilities, and would IiI~Q to
extend my sincerestthanksfor contributing to a healthy and inclusiveWaterl~oo Region.
~.
Sincerely,
~~~
Dr. Liana Nolan, ~ ~ .
CommissionerlMedical Officer of Health
c.c. Denise Keelan, Manager, Aquatics and Athletics, City of Kitchener
. Mark Hildebrand, Director, community Programs and Services, Ci#y of Kitchener
Carla Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Kitchener
Ken Selling, Regional Chair, Region of Waterloo .
Mike Murray, Chief Administrative Officer, Region of Uvaterlaa
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