Informed Decision-Making: Having Meaningful Conversations Regarding Infant Feeding

 

Presenters: Linda Young MScN, EdD; Catharine Lowes RN, BScN, IBCLC; Doris Balcarras
RN, IBCLC, PNC(C), Toronto ON

 

Presentation Outline/Description: The BFI Strategy for Ontario conducted a provincial survey in 2015 asking service providers about their experience with providing information to mothers to allow them to make an informed infant-feeding decision. Many respondents reported that they struggled with knowing what needed to be discussed. As a result, a resource and workshop were developed and disseminated provincially. This session will help service providers with informed decision-making conversations regarding infant feeding with mothers. The workshop will provide tips and examples of conversations in order to provide support for service providers. Topics covered will include how to help clients to make informed decisions prenatally, postpartum and when preparing for discharge. Service providers will learn how to determine what infant-feeding information a mother may require prenatally, after her baby's birth and after discharge from the hospital. Results from workshop evaluations will be shared.

 

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the key requirements for engaging in an informed decision-making conversation with mothers/families concerning infant feeding.
• Identify strategies to support mothers through an informed decision-making process in different situations (medical need for supplementation, mother's wish to introduce supplementation and mother's wish to exclusively formula feed).

 

Linda Young developed her knowledge and expertise with breastfeeding as a clinical nurse specialist at Women's College where she focused on enhancing breastfeeding and family-centred care. Linda has worked in Director roles across the GTA for over 20 years and has been the Director of Maternal Newborn Child, Mental Health, lnterprofessional Practice and Organizational Learning at Michael Garron Hospital for the past six years, during which MGH became re-designated as a Baby-Friendly Hospital. Linda has been the lead for the Baby-Friendly Initiative Strategy for Ontario for five years and is now also the lead for the Pumps for Preemies Program, both initiatives of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care.

 

 

Catharine Lowes is the Practice Nurse Specialist for Niagara Region Public Health. Catharine is also a Health Promotion Specialist with the BFI Strategy for Ontario. Catharine is an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant and has a passion for promoting the support of ALL families regardless of their feeding method.

 

 

Doris Balcarras is a health promotion specialist for the BFI Strategy for Ontario. She has worked at Grand River Hospital, in Kitchener Ontario, as a Registered Nurse in labour and delivery, is a Lactation Consultant and was the BFI lead for Grand River Hospitals’ successful BFI designation in 2008 and re-designation in 2013. Doris has spoken at conferences within Canada advocating for the implementation of strategies that support childbirth best practices. She is passionate about providing health care workers with the skills to effectively communicate the information needed so mothers can make an informed decision about infant feeding.

 

She is actively involved in her church community, enjoys biking, traveling, and most of all spending time with her family, especially her two beautiful grandchildren.