Breastfeeding Buddies Collaboration

The collaboration between the Breastfeeding Buddies Program of Waterloo Region and Manulife Centre for Community Health Research started as a program evaluation for the “Me? Breastfeed?” Workshop. There were 20 participants of the workshop who were interviewed by members of our research team. The main findings included building knowledge around best breastfeeding practices and demystifying myths associated with breastfeeding, including the availability of local supports and resources for new moms, and the sense of community developed in the Breastfeeding Buddies group. Through the research findings, it was evident that there needed to be more community-based peer supports incorporated into the Breastfeeding Buddies group. 

By working closely with the Breastfeeding Buddies Program of Waterloo Region, we decided to continue our partnership and to produce a short film about our shared vision to build supportive breastfeeding communities. This Canadian film is intended to be an engaging learning resource for programs offering breastfeeding education, promotion and support. The film addresses common myths around breastfeeding, mothers overcoming barriers when breastfeeding, supportive partners, the peer support model, community support and public breastfeeding. Many local and national breastfeeding experts, including Teresa Pitman, Kathy Venter, Hiltrud Dawson, Linda J. Smith, Michelle Buckner, were interviewed for the documentary.

Breastfeeding Buddies Video Series:

• Breastfeeding Buddies Full Feature Film
• Breastfeeding Buddies Part 1
• Breastfeeding Buddies Part 2: Dispelling Common Myths
• Breastfeeding Buddies Part 3: Partner Support
• Breastfeeding Buddies Part 5: Community and Peer Support
• Breastfeeding Buddies Part 6: Public Breastfeeding

In January, 2019, the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre,  Dr. Sandy Hoy (Laurentian University), Dr. Ginette Lafrenière (Wilfrid Laurier University), Dr. Lori Hill (Wilfrid Laurier University), and Dr. Abdel Elkchirid (Wilfrid Laurier University) were awarded a grant of $870,000 from the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation. This grant will help improve hospital to community breastfeeding supports and engage priority populations in order to increase breastfeeding rates across the Waterloo Region. For more on this exciting four-year project, check out the Laurier Spotlight, Lyle S. Hallman Foundation funds breastfeeding campaign partnership.