Hi,

Interesting question!

In Ontario, as far as I can tell -- someone who is more familiar with Ontario Works may know better -- I see no evidence that there is an extra stipend for mothers on income assistance who are breastfeeding.  There is a special dietary allowance available for formula if there are milk-supply issues or if breastfeeding is contraindicated (that would include HIV+ moms, I believe).

On the back-to-work/feeding decisions issue, I thought I had seen a journal article on this comparing Canada and the US, but I don't seem to have bookmarked it.  

Aside from the obvious proxy measure of comparing breastfeeding rates and parental leave policies across countries, an interesting Canadian proxy measure to explore might be looking at the feeding choices of Canadian women who are self-employed vs. those covered by EI.  Self-employed women return to work much sooner, if I'm remembering correctly... yes, some information is here: http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/050622/d050622d.htm. I believe I've also seen a study in the last couple of years that showed that self-employed women in Canada tended to return to work around 5 or 6 weeks postpartum.  

The Best Start Resource Centre would be a good place to ask these questions:
http://www.beststart.org/

Robyn Kalda
Health Promotion Information Specialist
Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse
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-----Original Message-----
From:	Health Promotion on the Internet on behalf of Kathryn Proudfoot
Sent:	Thu 6/22/2006 3:39 PM
To:	[log in to unmask]
Cc:	
Subject:	[CLICK4HP] Breastfeeding and Provincial Mothering Policies
Hello All,

I am looking for answers and/or direction on what is happening provincially in terms of breastfeeding policies. Specifically, I would like to know:  

   Mothers      on income assistance- do they receive a stipend for infant formula or      breastfeeding? Any incentives to encourage breastfeeding?
   Any      information on “back to work” policies and effect on infant feeding      decisions?
   Mothers      with HIV- do they receive a stipend for infant formula?
I am particularly interested in Quebec and BC but would like to hear ideally about every province. 

Thank you in advance for any help with this matter.

Kathryn Proudfoot, RD
MSc. Candidate
Community Health & Epidemiolgy
Dalhousie University
  

 		
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