Home / Health / Nova Scotia Breastfeeding Rates Lag: Financial Leave is Key
Nova Scotia Breastfeeding Rates Lag: Financial Leave is Key
25 Jun
Summary
- Low breastfeeding rates in Nova Scotia are linked to insufficient parental leave support.
- Mothers with lower incomes face greater financial pressure to return to work early.
- Quebec's enhanced child benefits may offer a model for improving breastfeeding rates.
Nova Scotia's exclusive breastfeeding rates for infants remain significantly below national targets, prompting calls for improved financial support for new parents. Researchers indicate that inadequate parental leave benefits force mothers, particularly those with lower incomes, back to work prematurely, hindering their ability to breastfeed.
The financial strain of not working is a major factor, as breastfeeding demands considerable time and is not a cost-free endeavor. Families with greater financial resources and those who can take extended leave are more likely to meet exclusive breastfeeding benchmarks.
Data from Quebec suggests that enhanced provincial child benefits correlate with better breastfeeding outcomes. This model, where the financial burden on families with young children is lessened, could offer a strategy for Nova Scotia to increase its breastfeeding rates.
