HALIFAX – Researchers emphasize that improving Nova Scotia's low breastfeeding rates hinges on ensuring new parents can afford parental leave. Kyly Whitfield, a human nutrition professor at Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax, indicates that Canada is lagging behind the World Health Organization's 2025 target, which aims for 50% of infants to be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. Currently, only about one-third of Canadian infants are meeting this six-month breastfeeding goal, with Nova Scotia showing poorer outcomes compared to British Columbia.
According to Health Canada data from 2022, fewer than 27% of infants in Nova Scotia were exclusively breastfed for the first six months. The 2024 data, which includes all Atlantic provinces, indicates that only 36% of infants were fed solely with breast milk during this period. The World Health Organization highlights the importance of breastfeeding, stating that it provides essential antibodies that protect infants from infections and serious health issues. Their 2030 objective aims to increase this rate to 60%.
Research from Whitfield illustrates that low-income mothers struggle significantly to meet breastfeeding guidelines. Contrary to the expectation that low-income women would be more inclined to breastfeed due to the high costs of formula, data shows the opposite trend. Whitfield argues that the time and commitment required for breastfeeding are substantial, which can disadvantage low-income mothers who often return to work sooner due to financial constraints.
Whitfield notes that mothers from families with higher financial resources and those able to take maternity leave are more likely to exclusively breastfeed for six months. Vulnerable Canadians may face pressures to return to work quickly or lack access to adequate parental leave benefits, resulting in their inability to dedicate time to breastfeeding. She asserts that while there is a federal parental leave policy, it often falls short of providing sufficient financial support for families, pushing parents to prioritize work over breastfeeding.
Lesley Frank, Canada Research Chair in food, health, and social justice and director of the Fed Family Lab at Acadia University, echoes Whitfield's sentiments. She argues that although low-income families are as likely to initiate breastfeeding as higher-income families, those experiencing food insecurity often cease breastfeeding earlier than their more secure counterparts. The financial necessity leads to earlier returns to work during critical periods for infant nutrition.
Both researchers advocate for addressing the financial burdens associated with breastfeeding through government policy changes, such as increasing the provincial child benefit or enhancing parental leave support at the federal level. They reference data from Quebec, which suggests that improved financial support correlates with better breastfeeding outcomes. In Quebec, income levels do not serve as a predictor of breastfeeding success, likely owing to robust provincial support for families.
In Nova Scotia, the current child benefit program provides annual support of $1,525 for each child for families with a net income below $26,000. Families earning between $26,000 and $34,000 receive the same amount for their first child, with reduced rates for subsequent children. This benefit is supplemented by the federal child benefit, which amounts to $8,157 per child under six years for families with a net income under $38,237, decreasing for those earning above that threshold.
In response to the findings, Nova Scotia's Department of Opportunities and Social Development stated that any potential increases in the child benefit or new parental leave support will be evaluated within the province's regular budget planning. Meanwhile, a representative from the Department of Health emphasized that feeding choices are deeply personal and influenced by various factors, including medical and financial circumstances.
The province is currently working to support infant feeding through public health early-years programs that offer free assistance from nurses who can help address issues such as latching, milk supply, and pumping. This initiative reflects an effort to enhance support for parents navigating the challenges of infant feeding amidst economic pressures.
