Fort McMurray’s Community Health Services is receiving a national award for supporting mothers and newborns.
The Alberta Health Services (AHS) facility is Alberta’s first community public health centre to receive the Baby-Friendly designation by the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada.
Originally developed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, the initiative recognizes the high standard of care and services to support mothers and their newborns with breastfeeding at the clinic.
“This is an exciting accomplishment and is a testament to the dedication and desire of our AHS nurses, midwives, physicians and staff to provide quality breastfeeding care to mothers and their babies in Wood Buffalo,” says Nicole Dechaine-Ouellette, Director, AHS North Zone, Public Health.
“Our team has worked extremely hard over the last several years towards earning this prestigious designation,” added Heidi Gould, Manager, Fort McMurray Public Health.
To obtain the Baby-Friendly designation, Fort McMurray Community Health Services had to meet various standards and criteria, which were assessed by the Baby-Friendly Initiative evaluators.
This assessment encompassed the examination of procedures, practices, breastfeeding statistics, staff qualifications, and input from clients. The staff also underwent comprehensive breastfeeding education and training to improve their breastfeeding support capabilities.
Christina Oxamitny, a Fort McMurray resident, says she’s grateful for breastfeeding support from AHS. She received latching and feeding support prior to and after the birth of her first child in 2017, and more recently her fourth child earlier this year.
“The nurses are absolutely wonderful and amazing. Whether it’s your first or fourth birth, they’re very supportive, knowledgeable, and welcoming. They really care about helping you and making sure your baby gets fed,” says Oxamitny.
“I feel much more comfortable calling them if I ever need breastfeeding help. Whether I need information about pumping, latching, baby formula, or even if it’s newborn health-related, it’s a huge relief knowing they will help address the breastfeeding questions or concerns I have.”
Public Health celebrated the designation with a community event on Sept. 20.