INFACT Canada Home Page. Protecting, Promoting Supporting Breastfeeding.

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State of Maternity Protection in 97 countries An increasing number of women are entering the job market and they need maternity protection to make a balancebetween their productive and reproductive roles. A lot of countries have enacted laws to provide maternity protection to at least some groups of women workers. However, there is a wide variation among the countries in their policies and programmes. WBTi Global Secretariat and Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI) have developed this six-page analysis of the state of maternity protection 97 countries. Read/download the PDF here. IBFAN Position on Maternity Protection at Work In all societies the unique roles of mothers during pregnancy, birthing, and breastfeeding must be honoured and supported. INFACT Canada promotes the supports needed by mothers, parents and caregivers, supports which are essential to the dual roles of maternity and the workplace. These enable the optimal outcomes for mother and child, and are a human right. As the North American regional partner for IBFAN, we are pleased to contribute to the IBFAN Position on Maternity Protection at Work. The updated revision includes a summary of the UN documents, the ILO conventions and recommendations, the various global statements and the declarations which support mothers and their families who are managing their dual economic and reproductive/parenting roles. In Canada we are fortunate to have partially paid maternity leave for 12 months with a number of options, such as extended leave, and/or partner leave. Sadly all are not adequately entitled to these benefits. The self-employed, or those working part time, or in temporary or short term employment remain on the fringes of our maternity benefits. Canada needs policies inclusive for all those working in or outside the home. Read/download the PDF here. Free Social Media and Advocacy Webinar Series 1,000 Days Upswell are proud to announce the Global Breastfeeding Webinar Series, where experts will offer free training to breastfeeding advocates around the world on how to utilize social media to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in the lead up to World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month (U.S.) in August. The series of five webinars runs through June and July. Save your spot for this important series: https://bit.ly/2IWxMoz Learn all about it on the Global Breastfeeding Webinar Series 2018 website. Time for meaningful implementation A 3-day training on the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes INFACT Canada is pleased to present, together with the IBFAN International Code Documentation Centre (ICDC), an International Code Training. Dates: May 14, 15 and 16, 2018 Venue: Toronto, Ontario 89 Chestnut (University of Toronto Conference Centre) All information about the course, including online registration, can be found at the Code Training Website: infactsecure.com/codetraining/. We are excited to partner with the IBFAN International Code Documentation Centre, global experts in developing Code legislation and comprehensive monitoring reports. The Training Facilitators are: [view facilitator bios] Yeong Joo Kean, LLB, legal advisor on Code legislation Constance Ching, Programme Manager David Clark, LLB, UNICEF legal advisor on the Code and BFHI Evelyn te Nyenhuis, RN BScN IBCLC, BFI Implementation Lead Public Health Branch, Community and Health Services Department Elisabeth Sterken, MSc Dt, Director INFACT Canada/IBFAN North America The Code Training/Workshop will cover a range of topics, including: infant and young child feeding trends; the importance of breastfeeding for health, sustainability; understanding marketing; managing conflicts of interest; the Code and the BFI; the Code in emergencies; how formula feeding is a health risk for mothers and babies; and many others. For a complete list of sessions [view the Code Training schedule]. For full details and to register, visit infactsecure.com/codetraining/. Past March Breastfeeding Course The INFACT Canada 20-Hour Breastfeeding Course in Toronto, March 22 to 24 The INFACT Canada 20-Hour Breastfeeding Course will be held at Oakham House in downtown Toronto, March 22 to 24, 2017. The Course Facilitators are: Guest Speaker Linda J. Smith, MPH, IBCLC, FACCE, FILCA Elisabeth Sterken, MSc, BSc, Dt., Director INFACT Canada The course is suitable for: Physicians, Midwives, Obstetricians, Maternity Care Providers, Nurses, Prenatal Educators, Lactation Consultants, Doulas, Registered Dietitians, Health Care Support Workers, Educators, Parents No Nestlé for Halloween! International Nestlé-Free Week is a time for people who boycott Nestlé over the way it pushes baby milk to do more to promote the boycott - and for those who don't boycott to give it a go. The main target of the boycott is Nescafé coffee. If you only boycott Nescafé, try giving all Nestlé products a miss for this week. If you don't boycott because you don't want to miss out on a Nestlé brand, try boycotting for this week. You will find lots of resources on the Nestlé-Free Week page, like: Nestle-Free Kit Nestlé Formula Labels sheet A Nestlé-Free Zone poster to display in shops and workplaces, or your window during Halloween. Nestlé-Free labels for bags of Halloween candy. How to explain the boycott in 30 seconds. Post to discussion groups. Write to the media. The Send a Message to Nestlé Web Form, to inform Nestlé you will continue to boycott until it stops breaking the rules. Read more on the Nestlé-Free Week page. Breastfeeding Matters: what's new? A full day conference with experts in the field of lactation and breastfeeding advocacy and keynote speaker, Maureen Minchin. Friday October 28, 2016 The INFACT Canada Breastfeeding Conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Yorkdale, conveniently located near highway 401 and accessible by subway and GO Transit. Lunch and breaks are included and a discounted room rate is available. Register today save: early bird pricing ends September 15, 2016. Groups of 5 or more are eligible for an additional group discount. For more information and to register, please visit: www.breastfeedingconference.com PRE and POST CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies: the Developed Country Context INFACT Canada is honoured to host Dr. Karleen Gribble in two hands-on workshops exploring policy and practice on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E). These small, hands-on workshops are a rare opportunity to learn from a world expert in IYCF-E and share experiences with other participants. Toronto, Ontario - Thursday October 27, 2016 Red Deer, Alberta - Friday November 4, 2016 Register early: enrollment is strictly limited to 30 participants and both workshops are expected to sell-out. Early bird pricing ends September 15: groups of 5 or more are eligible for an additional discount. For full details and to register, visit www.breastfeedingconference.com Oscar-winning director tackles baby milk issue Toronto International Film Festival to premiere "Tigers" the story of an infant formula salesman INFACT Canada is very pleased to announce the world premiere showing of the film "Tigers", a fictionalised account of the story of a Pakistani infant formula salesman who realised the devastating consequences of the product he was flogging. The film "Tigers" will be shown during the second week in September at the Toronto International Film Festival. Read more on the TIFF website. Zika Virus and Breastfeeding World Health Organization Recommendation for Breastfeeding with Zika Virus The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends: Mothers with suspected, probable or confirmed Zika virus infection, during pregnancy or postnatally, should receive skilled support from health care workers to initiate and sustain breastfeeding, like all other mothers. Likewise, mothers and families of infants with suspected, probable or confirmed Zika virus infection should receive skilled support to adequately breastfeed their infants. Mothers and families of infants born with congenital anomalies (e.g. microcephaly) should be supported to breastfeed their infants in line with WHO recommendations. Feeding support by skilled breastfeeding counsellors should be provided, if required. Read the WHO document [PDF]. Nestlé Fails Comprehensive Scrutiny of German Television Program Germany's largest public broadcaster, ARD, is taking a closer look at food giant Nestlé in its popular Markencheck (brand-check) programme. In Der Nestlé-Check (The Nestlé Check) Price, taste and health effect of Nestlé's products are put to the test, as well as the company's record in terms of labour conditions and environmental impact. The central storyline is an unusual experiment where six people have to live exclusively on Nestlé-food for a week. In the first part of the programme the reporters are also looking at Nestlé's exploitation of water resources in Mexico as well as a possible dog food scandal in the U.S. In the second part they travel to the Philippines to find out about Nestlé's controversial marketing of infant formula in developing countries. The two parts of the programme (part one and part two) are available on YouTube with English subtitles. If the subtitles don't appear automatically, click on the subtitles icon: "cc" (next to the settings icon). The vidoes will be available in the U.S. in the coming weeks. They are available now everywhere else. Watch The Nestlé Check programme: Part One and Part Two. A new film from Noemi Weis Milk examines birth and breastfeeding from a universal perspective Through an intimate and artistic lens, yet investigative and political, Milk brings a universal perspective on the politics, commercialization and controversies surrounding birth and infant feeding over the canvas of stunningly beautiful visuals and poignant voices from around the globe. Entertaining, inspiring, informative, provocative and sensitive, Milk celebrates bringing a new life into this world with a strong call to action and reflection. Coming soon. Visit the Milk website to see the trailer, get behind the scenes info and more. Visit the Milk Facebook page. WHA Resolutions Relevant to the Code Updated for 2014 The addition of another World Health Assembly resolution relevant to the International Code in 2014 brings the total to 17. View the updated list of relevant WHA Resolutions. The WHA Resolutions page. Nestlé brand out of Swiss pavilion Nestlé bottled water dropped from EXPO 2015 in Milan following protests Originally, free Nestlé bottled water was to be distributed from one of four Swiss pavilion towers at the EXPO 2015 in Milan, Italy. IBFAN and several other NGOs raised concerns about the promotion of bottled water. Now Switzerland has changed the plan to have plastic cups and water on tap instead of the Nestlé bottled water. Read the IBFAN Press Release. Former Nestlé Food Safety Chief Fights Back Yasmine Motarjemi's superiors ignored her, humiliated her, and even blamed her when things went wrong. Nestlé's baby biscuits in France caused infants to choke. Nestlé's ignoring of an excess of iodine in their products in China caused a massive recall there of all Nestlé products. Since being fired, Motarjemi has become a public health activist and is suing Nestlé for harassment. Read the Corporate Crime Reporter article. Read Yasmine Motarjemi's Open Letter to Nestlé's Head. No Nestlé for Halloween! International Nestlé-Free Week is a time for people who boycott Nestlé over the way it pushes baby milk to do more to promote the boycott and for those who don't boycott to give it a go. The main target of the boycott is Nescafé coffee. If you only boycott Nescafé, try giving all Nestlé products a miss for this week. If you don't boycott because you don't want to miss out on a Nestlé brand, try boycotting for this week. You will find lots of resources on the Nestlé-Free Week page, like: Nestle-Free Kit Nestlé Formula Labels sheet A Nestlé-Free Zone poster to display in shops and workplaces, or your window during Halloween. Nestlé-Free labels for bags of Halloween candy. How to explain the boycott in 30 seconds. Post to discussion groups. Write to the media. The Send a Message to Nestlé Web Form, to inform Nestlé you will continue to boycott until it stops breaking the rules. Read more on the Nestlé-Free Week page. Visit the Nestlé boycott Facebook page. New breastfeeding video Video aims to enlighten university students about the acceptability of public breastfeeding This video was created by students at St. Francis Xavier University in partnership with the group "Building a Breastfeeding Environment" (BaBE). This video is aimed at targeting university students and is meant to be playful and humourous. We know that although many students in university are accepting of the benefits of breastfeeding, and plan to breastfeed their own children, it is still not considered acceptable to breastfeed publicly. This video also shows that even those who are not parents, or breastfeeding mothers can be and are supportive of breastfeeding in public! Rock on breastfeeders! Watch the video. UN Committee on World Food Security Releases New Paper The Civil Society Synthesis Paper is titled: 10 Years of the Right to Adequate Food Guidelines: Progress, Obstacles and the Way Ahead The Paper is a product of a broad civil society consultation process, facilitated by the Global Network for the Right to Food and Nutrition, for the 41st Session of the UN Committee on World Food Security. As part of the International Baby Food Action Network, INFACT Canada is engaged in the Global Network for the Right to Food in recognition that all mothers and children have the right to breastfeed and the supports required to enable this right. Read The Civil Society Synthesis Paper. Food Banks Canada's Tania Little responds INFACT Canada replies to Food Banks Canada letter INFACT Director, Elisabeth Sterken, has received a response to her initial letter to Food Banks Canada. Tania Little, Food banks Canada Director, Development and Partnerships, replied. INFACT Canada is disappointed that Food Banks Canada does not recognise the conflict of interest in partnering with Nestle Now INFACT Canada has replied to that letter. Read Tania Little and Elisabeth Sterken's letters. Low income mothers have the most to gain by breastfeeding Nestl has teamed up with Food Banks Canada, targeting low income mothers with free formula See Nestl advertising it's new partnership: http://www.firsts.nestle-baby.ca/selfie.html It is unconscionable that Nestlé is deliberately targeting vulnerable infants, families, parents and mothers! Both in developing countries and in industrialized countries Nestlé engages in marketing practices to dissuade mothers from fully breastfeeding their newborns and infants. Please write a letter here is a sample letter to Food Banks Canada to immediately stop this dangerous liaison with Nestlé! Send your letters to: Katharine Schmidt Food Banks Canada Executive Director Katharine@foodbankscanada.ca Tania Little Food Banks Canada Director, Development and Partnerships Tania@foodbankscanada.ca Read the sample letter. Baby Milk Action press release Nestl exploits World Breastfeeding Week as part of formula growth strategy World Breastfeeding Week, promoted by an the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), takes place 1 7 August 2014, but this year it is being hijacked by Nestl in a number of countries. This move by world s largest baby milk company is described as terribly cynical by Baby Milk Action as Nestl continues to promote its formula with claims such as it is the natural start and protects babies. Nestl s attempt to link with health services to promote breastfeeding have reportedly been rebuffed by some authorities due to the self-evident conflicts of interest. In Portugal, the FNAC retail chain recently removed Nestl s First 1000 Days book from stores following complaints. Nestl was revealed on Monday to be the least ethical company of the last 25 years in a vote of readers of Ethical Consumer magazine. While undermining breastfeeding with formula promotional practices that break UN marketing rules, Nestl is running advertisements in several countries claiming to support World Breastfeeding Week and the First 1000 Days initiative. However, presentations to investors show that the underlying aim is to promote its product solutions and specifically its infant formula. While playing lip service to Breastfeeding is Best Nestl tells investors its Lactogen infant formula is a growth engine . It is promoted with the claim it provides a gentle start as part of the Project Happy marketing campaign. Mike Brady, Campaigns Coordinator at Baby Milk Action, said: Nestl s attempt to wrap itself in the messages of World Breastfeeding Week and the First 1000 Days is terribly cynical, but is also a measure of the success of the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) in protecting breastfeeding and the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) in promoting it. Nestl executives are increasingly desperate to find ways to contact parents and health workers and to promote their Infant Nutrition Start healthy Stay healthy brand. A growing number of countries have introduced laws regulating baby food marketing practices and restricting the access company representatives have to the health care system. If Nestl truly wants to support breastfeeding, it should put it own house in order and stop promoting formula with claims it is the natural start , gentle start and protects babies. [more] Read the full press release on the BMA website. INFACT Canada joins the global celebration of WBW Aug 1 to 7 highlighting the theme: Breastfeeding a Winning Goal for Life! Canada celebrates its Breastfeeding Week October 1 to 7 so that all of society can participate. WBW 2014 Action Folder (PDF). Read more on the WBW 2014 website. BREASTFEEDING: A Winning Goal for Life! NOTE: in Canada the World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated from October 1 to 7 to be able to include educational facilities and be more inclusive of organizations and institutions that may be closed or have fewer staff available during the summer holidays. INFACT Canada/INFAN North America together with the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is pleased to celebrate the theme for WBW 2014: BREASTFEEDING: A Winning Goal For Life! The theme asserts the importance of increasing and sustaining the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) countdown, and beyond. In 1990 eight global goals, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), were set by governments and the United Nations to fight poverty and promote healthy and sustainable development in a comprehensive way by 2015. There are regular "countdowns" to gauge progress in achieving the goals. This year's WBW theme responds to the latest countdown by asserting the importance of increasing and sustaining the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding in the post 2015 agenda, and engaging as many groups, and people of various ages as possible. Wherever you are, progress can be made AND sustained. For this to happen you need to be prepared, set goals and targets, join forces and ACT! Protect, Promote and Support breastfeeding: it is a vital, life-saving goal! How are BREASTFEEDING and the MDGs linked? The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are meant to be achieved by 2015 next year! Although much progress has taken place, there is still a lot of "unfinished business." Here are some examples: Poverty has gone down, but 1 in 8 people still go to bed hungry. Undernutrition affects about a quarter of all children globally. Overweight, the other form of malnutrition, is becoming more common too. In the last two decades, child mortality has decreased by about 40%, but still almost 7 million children under five die each year, mainly from preventable diseases. As the overall rate of under-five mortality has declined, the proportion of neonatal deaths (during the first month of life) comprises an increasing proportion of all child deaths. Globally, maternal mortality has declined from 400 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 210 in 2010, but fewer than half of women deliver in baby-friendly maternities. By protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding, YOU can contribute to each of the MDGs in a substantial way. Exclusive breastfeeding and adequate complementary feeding are key interventions for improving child survival, potentially saving about 20% of children under five. Let's review how the UN's Scientific Committee on Nutrition illustrated how breastfeeding is linked to each of the Millennium Development Goals. WBW 2014 materials. Read more on the WBW 2014 website. Benefit and risk assessment of breastmilk Benefits Associated with Breastmilk Clearly Outweigh the Risk Presented by Current Levels of Contaminants in Breastmilk in Norway Breastmilk covers all the nutritional needs of the infant the first months of life, with the exception of vitamin D. In addition, breastmilk has a number of protective properties. However, as humans are exposed to polluting chemicals through food, air, water and skin contact, breastmilk also contains contaminants. Taking the present-day levels of contaminants in Norwegian breastmilk and the long duration of breastfeeding (12 months) in Norway into account, the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety concludes that contaminants poses a low risk to Norwegian infants, and that the benefits of breastmilk to Norwegian infants clearly outweigh the risk presented by contaminants. Read more on the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety website. Read the full report [pdf]. New call to Invest in Babies INFACT Canada Calls on Canada's Governments to Invest in Breastfeeding When infants and young children are not breastfed or when breastfeeding is suboptimal, children risk not only increased rates of infectious diseases such as gastric and respiratory infections, but increasingly research is documenting the impact of not breastfeeding on the prevalence of life long chronic diseases such as cancers, diabetes, obesity and cardio vascular disease. Chronic diseases are now epidemic and the cost of treatment over a personÂ’s lifetime is substantial. Optimal breastfeeding practices can significantly reduce the incidence of these chronic conditions. The loss of breastfeeding not only contributes to increased illness but also damages normal development, especially brain and neural development. Lack of breastfeeding risks a loss of 8 to 10 IQ points and children who are not breastfed experience reduced academic performance. Such a loss of intellectual capacity too is an incalculable loss to national potential. Read the INFACT Canada Press Release [pdf] (6 pages). Read The Need to Invest in Babies [pdf] (102 pages). Read the Executive Summary [pdf] (8 pages). Read the Brochure [pdf] (4 pages). Philippines Support Groups Try to Avert Further Disaster Breastfeeding Support Groups Urge Stop to Legislation Allowing Milk Donations to Typhoon-Effected Areas In a letter to the Philippines Secretary of Health, three support groups, Arugaan, Breastfeeding Pinays, and Latchcomprising, urge the Secretary to stop a provision allowing baby milk donations to areas effected by the Typhoon. "Your pronouncement for milk donations for the poor people trampled by typhoon Yolanda makes the milk companies grin with greed. Their act of charity is a marketing mask. They have been known to give starter formula as gift in the hospital system which the Milk Code forbids. It became formula for disaster. It undermines breastfeeding power. MotherÂ’s milk dries up with formula milk competition. "Major recent earthquake disasters (Indonesia, Haiti) have shown how donations of breast milk substitute have displaced the breastfeeding culture and the use of the products was linked to the rapid increase of diarrhea cases in the evacuation centers. Why commit the same mistake?" Make a donation to support Philippines breastfeeding support group Arugaan. Read the letter. Breastfeeding rates: How are we doing? Rates are improving but exclusive breastfeeding rates still far from optimal Almost 9 in 10 Canadian mothers initiated breastfeeding soon after their child's birth in 2011/2012. Health Canada and its partners encourage mothers to breastfeed their infants exclusively (no other liquids or solids) for the first six months. In 2011/2012, 26% of mothers breastfed exclusively for six months (or more), up from 17% in 2003. British Columbia had the highest rate of breastfeeding exclusively for six months (or more), as well as the largest provincial increase since 2003. In 2011/2012, mothers who breastfed exclusively for six months (or more) tended to be in their thirties or older and had postsecondary qualifications. The most common reasons cited for stopping breastfeeding before six months were "not enough breast milk" and "difficulty with breastfeeding technique." Read the full report [pdf]. Breastfeeding Support Group Arugaan Supporting Mothers Affected by the Typhoon in the Philippines Arugaan, the breastfeeding support organization in the Philippines, is active in providing support for mothers to feed their children in the typhoon affected areas. During previous typhoons the Arugaan mother-to-mother support groups shared their breastmilk with non-breastfeeding mothers and helped mothers to relactate (re-establishing breastfeeding) and provide precious human milk so their infants and young children could survive. Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan has tormented Philippine people lives and livelihoods, wrecking their lives. Now Arugaan plans to rebuild their lives with Lifeskills Training focused on homefoods nurturing. They will travel around forming breastfeeding mother support groups. Please support Arugaan s essential work empowering Philippine mothers with your donation. Read the UNICEF statement on the life-saving value of breastfeeding in emergencies. Read more on breastfeeding in emergencies in The Nutrition Cluster IYCF statement for the Philippines. International Nestlé-Free Week is a time for people who boycott Nestlé over the way it pushes baby milk to do more to promote the boycott - and for those who don't boycott to give it a go. Read more. New Facebook Survey Facebook and Breastfeeding Censorship The Facebook vs. Breastfeeding Alliance is conducting a survey to explore the issue of self-censorship of breastfeeding images on Facebook. Please consider taking the survey if you are active on Facebook, personally or professionally. Take the Survey. World Breastfeeding Week 2013 This year's World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) theme, Breastfeeding Support: Close to Mothers, highlights Breastfeeding Peer Counselling. Even when mothers are able to get off to a good start, all too often in the weeks or months after delivery there is a sharp decline in breastfeeding rates and practices, particularly exclusive breastfeeding. The period when mothers do not visit a healthcare facility is the time when a community support system for mothers is essential. Continued support to sustain breastfeeding can be provided in a variety of ways. Traditionally, support is provided by the family. As societies change, however, in particular with urbanization, support for mothers from a wider circle is needed, whether it is provided by trained health workers, lactation consultants, community leaders, or from friends who are also mothers, and/or from fathers/partners. The Peer Counselling Program is a cost effective and highly productive way to reach a larger number of mothers more frequently. Peer Counsellors can be anyone from the community who is trained to learn to support mothers. Trained Peer Counsellors, readily available in the community become the lifeline for mothers with breastfeeding questions and issues. "The key to best breastfeeding practices is continued day-to-day support for the breastfeeding mother within her home and community." Read More on the official World Breastfeeding Week website. conference sponsorship Canadian Association of Neonatal Nurses and North York Hospital conferences sponsored by formula makers Two upcoming conferences organized by health care professionals in the pediatric field are being sponsored by formula makers Abbott and Mead Johnson. The use of the health care system, including professional associations by the infant formula manufacturers, Mead Johnson and Abbott as promotional channels for their products and their brands creates conflicts of interest for those working with mothers and infants. Let CANN know that an Abbott and Mead Johnson sponsorship is unethical and goes against their mission "to represent a national voice committed to health and wellness of neonatal nurses, newborns and their families". Send them a letter! Send a letter to the North York General Hospital to share with them your deep concerns regarding the sponsorship of their upcoming Paediatric Update, an educational events dealing with infant and young child nutrition and health, by manufacturers of infant formula products. Sample letter here! update In response to emails, North York General Hospital cancelled the Abbott and Mead Johnson sponsorhip of their upcoming Paediatric Update. Tim Rutledge, President and CEO of the hospital says: "When I looked into this issue last evening it had already been addressed. The sponsorship of the seminar has been cancelled." Thank you to all who wrote to the CEO and seminar organizers. Our advocacy matters to protect breastfeeding mothers and children from commercial interference. Sign the petition Nestlé pays $150,000 for Influence with WHO s Regional Office As revealed in a Reuters article, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has changed its policy regarding contributions from industry, and among others has accepted $150,000 from Nestlé. It is unseemly for the World Health Organisation s (WHO) Regional Office to accept money from the world s number one violator of the WHO Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. Let PAHO know you want them to stay true to their mission and return Nestlé s money: sign the petition! From the Reuters article: On its website, the Pan American Forum touts the benefits of membership as helping businesses avoid regulation and influence regulatory environments. WHO is getting hijacked, said Boyd Swinburn, an Australian professor and longtime member of WHO s nutrition advisory committees. They re cash-strapped, and they re bringing the private sector in. That s very dangerous. Read the Reuters article. Sign the petition. Nestlé s propaganda army invades social media Ever wonder who posts the comments on how difficult it is to breastfeed and how infant formula has saved the baby from starvation ? Well, a recent Reuters UK article documents Nestlé s Digital Acceleration Team working at their headquarters in Switzerland. The team monitors and engages in conversations about its products on social media. Read the Reuters article. Read the Gizmodo Australia blog post. No Nestlé for Halloween! International Nestlé-Free Week is a time for people who boycott Nestlé over the way it pushes baby milk to do more to promote the boycott - and for those who don't boycott to give it a go. The main target of the boycott is Nescafé coffee. If you only boycott Nescafé, try giving all Nestlé products a miss for this week. If you don't boycott because you don't want to miss out on a Nestlé brand, try boycotting for this week. You will find lots of resources on the Nestlé-Free Week page, like: A Nestlé-Free Zone poster to display in shops and workplaces, or your window during Halloween. Nestlé-Free labels for bags of Halloween candy. Logos to mark you website or blog as a Nestlé-Free Zone. The Nestlé boycott product list and cards to share with friends and family. How to explain the boycott in 30 seconds. Post to discussion groups. Write to the media. The MyMeter iPhone app - a fun way to raise the boycott. The send a message to Nestlé web form, to inform Nestlé you will continue to boycott until it stops breaking the rules. Read more on the Nestlé-Free Week page. Invite your friends to the Facebook event. Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week in Canada October 1 to 7 This year World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) focuses on the progress that has been made on the implementation of the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding (GSIYCF) which was adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF ten years ago. Implementing the Global Strategy effectively is essential to increase breastfeeding rates: especially exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and to reach Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 which aims to reduce under five mortality by two thirds. Objectives of WBW 2012 To take stock of lessons learnt and achievements from the past 20 years on infant and young child feeding (IYCF), To assess the status of implementation of the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding (Global Strategy) globally, To celebrate successes and achievements nationally, regionally, and globally and showcase national work at the global level, To call for action to bridge the remaining gaps in policy and programmes on breastfeeding and IYCF, and To draw public attention to the state of policy and programmes on breastfeeding and IYCF. PDF Flyer in English PDF Flyer in French World Breastfeeding Week website. Embassy letter obtained by IBFAN US pressures Vietnam against extending restriction laws on formula advertising In support of US formula companies, the US Embassy in Hanoi pressured the Chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly to not go forward with legislation restricting breastmilk substitute advertising. In the June 13 letter, the US Embassy attempts to strong-arm the Chairman into setting aside legislation banning formula milk advertising for babies above the age of 12 months. Read more. View the letter. New Code Monitoring Report Alberta report reveals aggressiveness of baby food industry marketing to undermine breastfeeding Alberta: Look what they are doing is a summary of violations of the WHO Code in Alberta and Saskatchewan in 2011 and 2012. This monitoring report highlights the pervasive and aggressive efforts by the baby food industries to market their products. Read the report. Read INFACTÂ’s comment. IBFAN Breastfeeding Briefs IBFAN s Breastfeeding Briefs are now available on the INFACT website. The latest issue features the article, Cashing in on breastmilk? From wet nursing to milk banks to internet distribution. The article is by Dr. Gillian Weaver, a specialist on human milk banking and Vice-president of the European Milk Bank Association. We hope it will be of interest as the issue is evolving in relation to breastmilk expression, donation, storage banking, sharing and sale. Access IBFAN Breastfeeding Briefs. Calgary Mothers Milk Bank opens The first milk bank to open in Canada in 33 years and Canada s first community-based milk bank is open for business. The Calgary Mothers Milk Bank is a not-for-profit organization that provides screened and pasteurized donor human milk to babies in need when their motherÂ’s own milk is not available. Human milk provides optimal nutrition, promotes normal growth and development, and reduces the risk of illness and disease. Website. Facebook page. Urgent Action Needed Your Comment On The Health Canada Proposed Policy Statement On Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants Is Needed The standard guide for infant feeding for all Canadian health professionals is under review. Until April 15, 2012 Health Canada is inviting comments to shape Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants - Recommendations from Birth to Six Months. We urge all those who are interested in achieving the best possible policy statement to submit your comment to Health Canada. INFACT Canada has prepared a comment to correct a number of areas of concern. Submit INFACT s comment or your own to improve the policy statement. Learn more. Read INFACT s comment. June 3 - 5, 2012 Laval, Quebec AQC Grand Conference 2012: Practice based on science The Quebec Association of Lactation Consultants/Association Québécoise des Consultantes en lactation (AQC) is proud to present its 2012 Conference at the Sheraton Laval Hotel in Quebec. This year s conference will feature nine sessions over three days presented by Kittie Frantz, RN, CPNP-PC, Karen Kedrowski, Ph.D, and Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA. Sessions are in English. Some French translation is available. Visit the Conference website (French). Download the Conference brochure [PDF]. Learn about sessions, learn about speakers. Register for the Conference (French). Anglophiles needing help with registration may contact the AQC at 514-990-0262 or info@ibclc.qc.ca. Stop NestléÂ’s sponsorship with the City of Newark Nestlé, the worldÂ’s largest infant formula manufacturer and distributer, is planning to partner with the city of Newark, New Jersey in a nutrition education program to target childhood obesity. Nestlé, whose infant formula and baby foods are known to contribute to increased illness and long-term diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancers has shown nothing but disdain for the marketing rules for those products. Please sign the petition and STOP the Nestlé Sponsorship! Read more. Sign the petition. Petition site is having intermittent server problems; if you can t connect, please try again later. No honour for Nestlé! INFACT Canada is deeply concerned that the University of Alberta is planning to award Mr. Peter Brabeck-Latmathl , the Chairman of Nestl (pictured), an honorary degree. Protests are coming on from all over the world. Nestl has been designated as the Least Ethical Company globally and is infamous for practices including the destruction of water resources and aggressive marketing of infant formula. Please send a message to the University of Alberta. Use the links in the full article or the Council of Canadians online form. Read the full article. Use the Council of Canadians online form. World Breastfeeding Week 2012 Photography Contest Feature your breastfeeding photos in this yearÂ’s WABA Action Folder! Ten winning photos will be selected and featured in the WBW Action Folders, Posters and Banners. Winners will receive US$100 for each published photo. Understanding on the issue would help you take a great picture! Please read the WBW 2012 Calendar Announcement at www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org for more information. Read the Calendar Announcement. Download the Contest Form [MS Word]. Abbott Nutrition Webcast Formula Promotion Webcast Targets Canadian Health Care Providers A cross-Canada webcast, Wednesday, presented by doctors and scientists, will promote Abbott s infant formula, focusing on two of its marketing gimmicks, prebiotics and lutein. Read INFACT s press release. Read Abbott s webcast information [PDF]. 2011 Codex Nutrition Meeting The Business of Malnutrition: Breaking Down Trade Rules to Profit from the Poor Guidelines for a new range of products for babies at risk of malnutrition was the topic of debate at the annual meeting of Codex, the UN body that sets food standards. Developing countries and health campaigners fearing the products would undermine breastfeeding and increase family poverty, called for several resolutions in the guidelines. IBFAN is concerned that the new business of malnutrition that these products are spearheading while raking up multi-billion dollar profits will harm infant and young child health and drain family budgets. Read full press release. Read full press release [PDF]. Read related article in the Guardian: Alarm as corporate giants target developing countries. 2012 IBFAN Calendar The latest IBFAN calendar as always features twelve beautiful breastfeeding photographs from around the world and is a wonderful visual representation of the global breastfeeding community. Available in our resource centre for $20. Facts and dates are given in English, Dutch, German and French. View the interior pages at Baby Milk Action. Order online in our resource centre. Health Campaigners: Health Inequalities Declaration Betrays Promise to Close the Gap in a Generation The Rio Declaration issued by the WHO World Conference on Social Determinants of Health in Rio de Janeiro on Friday (21 October) is a big disappointment to health campaigners. Campaigners gathered to call on assembled international government representatives to counter “the toxic combination of poor social policies, unfair economic arrangements and bad politics that results in the unequal distribution of health-damaging experiences.” Read full press release. Private Sector Must Not Compromise Health Policy Conflicts of Interest Coalition Statement Calls on UN to Develop Code of Conduct A statement from Conflicts of Interest Coalition, endorsed by 145 national, regional and international organizations, calls for the development of a Code of Conduct in public policy decision-making to safeguard against conflicts of interest. This will protect optimal nutrition, breastfeeding and complementary feeding from commercial marketing pressures, sponsorships and industry funded research. The overall aim is to reduce the risks of non-communicable diseases: obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancers. View the Statement of Concern [PDF]. New DVD from Baby Milk Action Watch Online Clips from New DVD Infant Formula Explained A new film aims to equip health workers with the information they need to answer questions like, Which formula is the best? and How do I make a bottle? Watch the clips. Baby Milk Action Online Video Formula Marketing Violations Presented at Press Conference A summary of the report, Breaking the Rules, Stretching the Rules 2011, was presented to journalists at the Geneva Press Club on May 12 prior to the 2011 World Health Assembly, resulting in international media coverage. A video excerpt from the conference is available online. Watch the video. World Breastfeeding Week 2011 This year World Breastfeeding Week focuses on engaging and mobilising youth intergenerational work. Our theme: Talk to me! Breastfeeding - a 3D Experience, deals with communication at various levels and between various sectors. What do we want to accomplish this year? Encourage communities and health facilities to use new media technology to reach larger numbers of people with breastfeeding information and alert them about the conflicts of interest that may arise when entities which profit from selling or distributing products under the scope of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (Code) promote breastfeeding. Broaden the scope of breastfeeding advocacy to involve traditionally less interested parties (i.e. youth, men, family planning advocates). Develop and scale-up communication skills education in breastfeeding and health trainings and look for active participation from young people. Through networking, create and increase communication channels between different sectors so breastfeeding information and feedback can be accessed and enhanced. Encourage mentorship by breastfeeding experts for new advocates, and by experienced communicators for those newly entering the communication era, regardless of their age. Creatively explore, support, recognise, and implement innovative communications approaches and provide a space for people to develop their ideas. Read More on the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) website. Breaking the Rules, Stretching the Rules See how, in this massive 208-page report, 22 companies BREAK the International Code of Marketing of Substitutes. Unlike industry funded analyses, Breaking the Rules, Stretching the Rules 2010 looks at real labels and promotion not just what companies say they do. Order online in our resource centre. INFACT Canada Responds MotherÂ’s milk and safe milk sharing: Health CanadaÂ’s advisory lacks scientific basis The recent media focus on the mothersÂ’ movement Eats on Feets has resulted in a Health Canada advisory warning mothers against the use of another motherÂ’s milk unless it comes from a donor milk bank. Read INFACT s statement. WBW 2010 Online Resource Centre INFACT Canada proudly announces the launch of our World Breastfeeding Week 2010 Resource Centre. Instead of publishing INFACT s famous WBW Action Kit, this year our WBW resources including fact sheets, mini posters, and informational pamphlets related to the WBW 2010 theme are being published online. Resources are available for downloading, printing and sharing. Users may donate online to support the project. Visit: infactsecure.com/wbwresources Code Essentials Booklets Code Essentials Booklets 1, 2 and 3 give breastfeeding advocates the essentials about the need to regulate the marketing of baby foods (including formula), feeding bottles and teats. Order online in our resource centre. New Breastfeeding DVD Humans are the only mammal to feed their young the milk of another species. Breastfeeding - Making the Connection explores why parents choose formula over breast milk and how the implementation of Baby-Friendly practices can reverse this trend. If youÂ’re interested in the future of our health care systems and the wellbeing of generations to come, this film is a must-see. Order online in our resource centre. Sign the petition! Help us get 100,000 signatures to present to Prime Minister Harper. Join INFACT Canada and INFACT Quebec and sign on to the “protect breastfeeding petition” at http://protectbreastfeedingpetition.ca/. You can make a difference for mothers and children, sign the petition, share the petition and join us for a better world for all of us. Browse our resource centre for our popular breastfeeding educational and promotional items. Choose from our beautiful posters, eye-catching t-shirts, informative books and more. Check out the online edition of INFACT CanadaÂ’s newsletter for national and international breastfeeding news. We have both current and archived editions to ensure youÂ’ll stay abreast of the issues. Choose from dozens of educational fact sheets covering a wide variety of breastfeeding topics, including the International Code, the Importance of breastfeeding, and the Nestle Boycott. Be an active member of CanadaÂ’s breastfeeding community by visiting our bulletin board, where you can read notices of upcoming breastfeeding events or post your own. Find out how to register for the Breastfeeding Conference held every year which includes exhibits and speakers from across the country. The course provides those working with mothers with the information they need to support and facilitate breastfeeding. We put on many courses every year, and could be coming to an area near you. Connect to other breastfeeding organizations throughout the world with our related links. Visit our Issues/Action section where you can: Read about the latest developments in breastfeeding issues in INFACT CanadaÂ’s news releases. Learn about the most important document pertaining to the protection of breastfeeding: the World Health AssemblyÂ’s International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes and subsequent relevant resolutions of the World Health Assembly. Monitor violations of the International Code with our online monitoring form. Find out about global and national policies on infant and young child feeding. WhatÂ’s going on at the Codex Alimentarius and the latest on World Health Assembly Resolutions. Know your breastfeeding rights! The right to breastfeed anywhere, anytime, is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. NEW Support the Australian initiative to require warning labels on formula products. Learn more and sign the petition on Action Against Formula's website. Find out about the worldÂ’s largest and most successful consumer boycott, the Nestlé Boycott. Learn how you can help put pressure on the company until they stop their dangerous and immoral marketing of breastmilk substitutes. Help us celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, an annual event which raises awareness of breastfeeding issues. Help us stop practices that undermine breastfeeding, and learn about the latest issues that need urgent action. Take action by writing a letter, sending an email or making a phone call.

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Breastfeeding. The Infant Feeding Action Coalition (INFACT) Canada: Working to improve the health and well-being of infants and young children through the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding.

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