Lactation Support in British Columbia: Professional Barriers (Sept, 2022)

Despite potential for proven population health benefits and economic gain,  BC has failed to make meaningful investments in skilled lactation care. Healthcare providers struggle to navigate systemic barriers to deliver quality breastfeeding support. A lack of funding and scope limitations are common challenges seen across professions. Creative solutions are being explored, but challenges remain. Rural, remote, northern and Indigenous communities are disproportionately impacted by these struggles. With such substantial gaps in services, how do we support health care providers to deliver consistent care? This paper explores the different professions/service models providing care in B.C., the barriers experienced, and recommendations for system improvement. 

Breastfeeding and COVID:  Time to patch the safety net (April, 2020)

Access to high quality breastfeeding support across regions and within healthcare programming was inconsistent prior to the crisis. The current situation has exacerbated the pre-existing lack of support through re-deploying public health resources and social distancing, making it even more difficult for breastfeeding families to achieve their goals.  Yet when breastfeeding is going well, it provides a vital safety net to families by ensuring a safe, secure, reliable food source, providing immunological support to the infant and down-regulating the stress response for the breastfeeding dyad.  BCLCA has drafted a position statement outlining the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on the families we serve and arguing that increasing support in key areas will minimize the potential for negative effects on the next generation.