Overview

Systems Change Project Resources

 

BREASTFEEDING SYSTEMS CHANGE PROJECT IS FUNDED 2021 to 2024

KCR Community Resources in partnership with Interior Health was awarded a Field of Interest Systems Change Test grant of $300,000.00 from the Vancouver Foundation. We would like to thank the Vancouver Foundation for their support of this important project.

The project is overseen by a multi-sector Steering Committee with co-leads from KCR and Interior Health. It is a continuation of the Breastfeeding Art Expo and is driven by the 15 recommendations of the Breastfeeding Journey Mapping project, which identified barriers to breastfeeding best practices within health facilities and the community.

Our goal is to implement a range of recommendations that will result in better support to mothers to breastfeed. The longer-term goal is to improve rates of sustained breastfeeding and result in improved long-term health benefits for women and their children and reduce provincial health care spending. Projects listed below are expected to be completed by Fall 2024, unless noted otherwise.

FOR PHYSICIANS

Support doctors with breastfeeding resources.

  • Physicians’ Roundtable: Physician Breastfeeding Resources: A Roundtable report (completed 2022)
  • Breastfeeding Physician Resource; antenatal to postnatal (Coming Fall 2024)

 

FOR HOSPITAL NURSES 

Support maternal nursing staff with enhanced breastfeeding education.

  • 0-72 hours Breastfeeding Reference Guide – Meggie Ross lead
  • Three breastfeeding educational videos (Topics: How often to feed, what is a good latch & how to know baby is getting enough milk) – coming soon!
  • Skills and Education Competencies for hospital nurses (checklist and workshops) – will be completed in next phase of funding

 

FOR HEALTHY FROM THE START 

Support a Healthy from the Start – a pregnancy phone helpline.

  • Hiring of a Lactation Consultant for the HFS phone/video line pilot project: April 2024; 1-year term
  • Marketing of HFS program – Poster and Rackcard for offices (completed Spring 2024)
  • Videos, as above

 

FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS 

Steps to normalize and support breastfeeding in public/work places.

  • Breastfeeding-Friendly Communities brochure (completed Fall 2023)
  • Breastfeeding Friendly Public Spaces: A toolkit for Local Governments – IH Healthy Community Development team project lead (completed Fall 2023)

 

FOR MOMS 

All projects previously listed would also benefit support for mothers.

  • Hospital Resources – Halo co-sleeping beds for IH hospitals; 6 at Penticton and 1 at Kamloops (completed Spring 2024)