October 10, 2023
Christina Oxamitny, rear, poses with her husband Daniel and children Annabeth, Genevieve, Gabriel and Frederick. Christina is one of many clients who have benefitted from AHS breastfeeding support and services in Fort McMurray. Photo courtesy of Cortny MacKenzie.
Fort McMurray Public Health team members Melissa Crozier, left, Kathi Lee Volk and Danelle Mandeville show their Baby-Friendly designation plaque.
Story by Logan Clow | Photo by Cortny MacKenzie
FORT McMURRAY — Delivering a high standard of care and services to support mothers and their newborns with breastfeeding has won recognition for Fort McMurray Community Health Services.
The Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) facility has become Alberta’s first community public health centre to receive the Baby-Friendly designation. This title is earned through the Baby-Friendly Initiative, a worldwide strategy designed to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. Originally developed by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, the initiative is spearheaded in Canada by the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada (BCC).
“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.
Public Health celebrated the designation with a community event on Sept. 20.
“Our team has worked extremely hard over the last several years towards earning this prestigious designation. This is a recognition of our staff using best evidence-based care and standards to support mothers and their newborns throughout their breastfeeding journey,” says Heidi Gould, Manager, Fort McMurray Public Health.
Breastfeeding benefits the growth and development of infants. Breast milk provides babies with vitamins and minerals for optimal growth and development. It also has the needed proteins, fats and other substances for growth.
In Alberta, the High River Hospital, Grey Nuns Community Hospital, Misericordia Community Hospital and Bonnyville Healthcare Centre have previously earned Baby-Friendly hospital designations.
“Our whole team was so committed to working together to achieve this designation,” says Kathi-Lee Volk, a Fort McMurray Public Health Nurse, who has supported their designation work for several years.
“Whether you’re a first-time parent or not, breastfeeding can be an overwhelming experience and sometimes there may be issues, questions, or concerns. Our team is there to support them. It’s important they know they’re not in it alone and we have free, local AHS services and resources available to them.”
To earn its Baby-Friendly designation, Fort McMurray Community Health Services achieved several standards and criteria, which were reviewed by Baby-Friendly Initiative assessors. Processes, practices, breastfeeding data, staff competencies and client feedback were all reviewed. Staff also completed extensive breastfeeding education and training to enhance their breastfeeding support.
Fort McMurray Public Health has been working towards the designation since 2012. Wildfires (2016) and floods (2020) in the region, as well as COVID-19, delayed some of their designation progress.
Volk says client feedback shared with the assessors is one of many factors in earning the designation. She adds that many clients shared their gratitude for receiving the support to help build their confidence to breastfeed and achieve their breastfeeding goals.
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 offers free breastfeeding services in the Wood Buffalo region, including in-person and virtual prenatal education classes, breastfeeding clinic, a community Pregnancy Health Information Fair twice a year, and supports for expectant mothers referred through community Primary Care providers. Staff also continue to work with BFI Wood Buffalo, host an annual Breastfeeding Challenge at MacDonald Island Park, and display breastfeeding education signage at various locations in the community to raise awareness about the health benefits of breastfeeding.
Fort McMurray Community Health Services recently upgraded its breastfeeding clinic, thanks to a generous $17,000 donation from the Northern Lights Health Foundation. Upgrades enhance comfort for clients and include a new breastfeeding chair, blanket warmer, lighting, breast milk pump, and a mural designed and painted by local artist Amy Keller-Rempp depicting the diversity of families that visit the clinic.
Residents can access or learn more about breastfeeding services and supports by contacting Fort McMurray Community Health Services at 780-791-6247.
See more information about AHS prenatal services and support in your community. Also see pregnancy and prenatal information here or at MyHealth.Alberta.
