One would think breastfeeding is natural, but it’s not as easy as thought, and seeking advice from your doctor might also not be as helpful as thought. A national survey of Canadian family doctors and paediatricians found the level of knowledge of breastfeeding issues was “sub-optimal”.
Dr Catherine Pound lead the research. She is an assistant professor of paediatrics at the University of Ottawa, and peadiatric consultant and researcher at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).
ListenThe study was published in the Journal of Human Lactation
It came about as a result of comments mentioned to medical staff by women who were breastfeeding and who had been given widely varying advice.
It is well-known that breastfeeding is very advantageous to the baby, so it came as a bit of surprise to find the general knowledge among Canadian doctors on breastfeeding issue was below a 70 percent rating.
The researchers chose 70 percent as that is the level paediatricians must achieve on exams in order to be certified.
Older studies in other countries showed this may also be an issue there as well.
The World Health Organization has said that helping new mothers to breastfeed could save the lives of 1.3 million children worldwide each year, and it’s known that proper information from the doctor can encourage mother’s to continue breastfeeding longer.
As a result of this survey, a new curriculum is now being developed and introduced to improve knowledge of breastfeeding problems and solutions for young resident doctors with the result that the newest generation of doctors will be much better equipped to help new nursing mothers in Canada.
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