Beliefs about Breastfeeding
Attitudes about Public Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is recommended by Health Canada as the only feeding method for newborns until six months of age. A parent’s decision to breastfeed their baby (exclusively or otherwise) is influenced by their partner, family members and the public’s beliefs and attitudes about breastfeeding, among other factors.
For more information about breastfeeding or how you can support a new parent in your family or community, please visit the Breastfeeding section of the health unit’s website. There are also “Risk Factor Reports” on Attitudes and Beliefs about Breastfeeding and Awareness of the Benefits of Breast Milk in the Reports section of HealthSTATS
Beliefs about Breastfeeding
According to the Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) in 2018, 59.4% (55.8%, 62.8%)of Simcoe Muskoka adults agreed with the (true) statement that ‘a baby who is fed only breast milk for the first six months of life gets all the food they need to grow’. Agreement with this statement was lowest among seniors (65+) and those with lower levels of household income. There were no significant differences when compared with the data collected in 2014 and 2010.
In 2018, 78% (74.5%, 80.7%) of Simcoe Muskoka adults said that breast milk helps to keep babies from getting sick. There were no significant differences between demographic groups, and the results for 2018 were similar to what was observed in 2010 and 2014.
Similarly, respondents were asked if they thought breastfeeding was good for the health of the mother. Awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother was similar to what was reported for the prevention of illness in infants. In 2018, 79% (75.8%, 81.6%) of Simcoe Muskoka adults said that it was good for the mother’s health if she breastfeeds her baby. There were no significant differences between demographic groups and the results for 2018 were similar to what was observed in 2010 and 2014.
Attitudes about Public Breastfeeding
According to the Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) in 2018, 83.5% (80.9%, 85.9%)of Simcoe Muskoka adults said that it was acceptable for a mother to breastfeed her baby while in a restaurant. Acceptance of breastfeeding in a restaurant was lowest among seniors (65+) and those with lower levels of household income. The overall acceptance rate in 2018 was significantly higher than the 2014 rate (74.9% (70.9%, 79.8%)).
The acceptance rate of breastfeeding in a shopping mall is very similar to that of breastfeeding in a restaurant. In 2018, 81.3% (78.6%, 83.7%) of Simcoe Muskoka adults said that is was acceptable for a mother to breastfeed her baby in a shopping mall. The differences in demographic groups and trends over time are also identical to breastfeeding in a restaurant, as described above.