Work world must back breastfeeding, nurse says Healthy babies translate into medical services savings WOMEN WHO wish to con- tinue breastfeeding after they return to work nced support from their employers, says the head nurse of the materni- ty ward at Lions Gate Hospital (LGH). By Kate Zimmerman News Reporter International Breastfeeding Week, which runs from Aug. | to 7, might be a time to implement such programs. Rosemary Tindale said LGH employees are fortunate enough to have an electric breast-pump at their disposal, and a refrigerator in which to store expressed milk. The facilities are free to members of the community, as well, and the odd working woman situated near the hospital has made use of the equipment. But there’s room for enlighten- ment in the policies of other North Shore businesses. Tindale said they could help “their employees in several ways, ‘including offering new mothers an . area in which they can comfort- ehh eta ST alicl Faro GiNTY QUALITY PHOTO FINISHING with a smile! Photo: Cindy May ably express milk. and allowing them to store that milk ina fndge. The women's privacy while pumping is of utmost importance, said Tindale; otherwise, their efforts may be unsuccessful. “It's important that they feel relaxed doing it...” It's in everyone's interest to promote breastfeeding. she explained. Employers should be able to apprecime the savings to the envi- ronment when women choose not to use formula, bottles and plastic nipples and bottle liners. Tindale pointed out that the heatth benefits to infants also mean less drain on the tax dollar in terms of medical services. In terns of the advantages to mothers, self-esteem ranks fairly high. Nursing mums get back to their normal weight more quickly than mothers who feed their babies formula. They experience less bleeding from the uterus after birth. And, Tindale said, there is strong evidence suggesting that nursing babies protects mothers from breast and Gvarian cancer and osteoporosis in later life. The benefits to children are Eta et Anniversary } cial 24 Exposure - ’ Develop & Print f SPECIAL IN greatest of all, Mother's milk is nature's perfect food for the first six months, said Tindale, which is why the World Health Organian- tion recommends that babies be nursed far at least that long. “The World Health Organiza- lion feels that breastfeeding gives infants the best possible start in life.” she said, Unlike formula, mothers’ milk adjusts to fill the diverse nutrition: al needs of babies. whether they are premature or full term. Breastfed children, Tindale said, are less tikely to be hit by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). They experience less constipa- tion and diarrhea than formula-fed infants, and they develop immuni- ties to respiratory and, ear infec- lions, gastrointestinal afflictions and allergies. Clearly the World Health Organization’s message is catch- ing on. Tindale said 94% of the mothers who give birth at LGH leave the hospital breastfeeding. People are welcome to call Tindale with any questions. Her number at the hospital is 984- LUDES: * ‘ae o 4x6 prints ¥ one FREE 8x16 colour enlargement a V FREE 40 page mini album ¥ gloss or matte finishing V one-day processing VY not pre-paid service Offer valid until Auguse 14, 1994 Experience the sights and sounds of African and Global Culture! FREE “hands on" bh African Music and Dance Workshops at the Market during a) African Days. Plus, discover tribal treasures at the global Arts and Crafts Exhibit in the Market Rotunda and at our “Our of Africa Global Culture” store on the second floor, Don't miss the J? festival and fun! Wednesday, August 3, 1994 - North Shore News - § mama ACvertorial Ted White, M.P. #302 1200 Lynn Valley Rd. North Vancouver August 3/394 V7J 2A2 Telephone: 666-0685 Fax: 666-0509 REORGANIZATION On July 20, the Reform Caucus met to discuss the first session of the 35th Parliament and to reorga- nize from a “cluster group” concept to a “critic role” concept. CLUSTER GROUPS When 52 Reform MPs met together for the first time, decisions had to be made.about how to orga- nize the caucus because each MP was unfamiliar with the individual skills, backgrounds or porifolio interests of the others. A “cluster group” concept was adopted under which three or four MPs worked together as critics for a particular ministry. MPs over- lapped two or three ministries as a way of obtaining experience and identifying ongoing interests and strengths. | found the cluster group sys- tem to be very effective because there were always two or three MPs | could approach for assis- tance when | had questions outside my own area of expertise. The clusters | worked within dealt with parliamentary reforms, industry and business, and the scrutiny of regulations with the Senate. CRITIC ROLES During the 23 weeks of the first session, most Reform MPs gradu- ally concentrated on specific areas of experiise. A natural placement process took effect which has now resulted in the appointment of crit- ics along the fines of individual MP strengths. Two critics have been appointed to each of the most com- plex and high profile ministries. As a strong believer in a more open democracy, | have concen- A trated on testing and developing various democratic reforms since { was elected so | was not surprised to end up as Democratic Reforms Critic. 1 do not narallel any particu- Jar minister because significant changes to the system are not being addressed by any of them. It wilt be my job to bring to public attention ways in which the govern- ment is falling to address problems with the justice system, deficit con- trol, immigration, or just about any- thing which runs contrary to the wishes of voters. HOW DID WE DO? The single most disappointing aspect of the first session was the lack of media attention to what was being done in the House by Reform MPs. In the words of Douglas Fisher of The Ottawa Sun “... it's almost heresy for me to say that in the first six months of this new Parliament, the 52 Reform MPs have performed well - almost phe- nomenally so ...” Douglas Fisher, in his July 20th article, went on to say that we brought a decent decorum to the House, that we made a thorough analysis of the Liberal's bills, stuck to our aims and beliefs, and went to committee hearings well prepared and able to make excellent contri- butions. The problem Douglas identified was that things like our ministry by ministry analysis of the budget and detailed proposals for cuts to spend- ing were not “sexy enough” to catch the attention of the media. However, he urged us not to pander to the criti- cal media by “veering to behaving like the old lags of parvaments past.” My thanks to Douglas Fisher - one of the few reporters who both- ered to carefully analyze our perfor- mance by comparing it in depth with past parfiaments. African Days August 6 - 7 A Master musician Alpha Yaya Diallo and the band “Bafing” bring authentic sounds of West Africa to Lonsdale Quay Market -— Sun., Aug. 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. We're on the waterfront at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue. For more info call 985-6261. Open daily. FREE PARKING ON WEEKENDS.