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Breastfeeding and Its Relationship to Culture

Image
baby feeding at mother's breast

 

In cultures where breastfeeding is common, women don't worry about it the way many Canadians do.

They see breastfeeding babies and toddlers all the time, and they're raised to know that breastfeeding is the normal way to feed babies.


In Canada, starting in the last century, bottle feeding became more common and the art of breastfeeding was lost to many women. However, attitudes are changing and there is now tremendous support for breastfeeding in most communities.

For some families, breastfeeding helps to begin or continue with traditional practices. For example, in the traditional Aboriginal view, children are considered gifts and are to be respected. First Nations mothers who breastfeed have a special status because they are contributing to the health and wellbeing of future generations.

How Breastfeeding Supports Traditional Aboriginal Values

Click here to watch a video called Close to the Heart: Breastfeeding our Children, Honoring our Values.


Resources & Links:
Breastfeeding

VIDEO: Admission to Postpartum - Keeping Your Baby Skin-to-Skin
VIDEO: Baby's Feeding Cues and Behaviours
VIDEO: Breastfeeding Positions
VIDEO: Cup Feeding and Other Feeding Methods
VIDEO: Hand Expressing Milk
VIDEO: Latching Your Baby

Last Updated: August 3, 2013