New breastfeeding space available to patients, visitors at the DECRH

Addition of designated location aligns with Horizon’s pursuit of Baby-Friendly Initiative designation and ensures proper services are in place to support families

(FREDERICTON) – A new, dedicated breastfeeding space is now available to patients and visitors at Horizon’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital.

Horizon is committed to promoting, supporting, and protecting breastfeeding to ensure babies have the healthiest start in life and nursing individuals are more than welcome to breastfeed in any public space in our facilities. This new location offers 24-7 access to a designated location for patients and visitors who may prefer additional privacy while nursing or pumping.

This initiative aligns with Horizon’s critical action priority of improving patient and visitor experiences in our facilities, as well as the organization’s commitment to achieving Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) designation for all of our birthing hospitals and public health services.

Located within the new patient discharge lounge on the 4th floor of the hospital, this modern, accessible space includes a privacy curtain, as well as a comfortable chair and a sink for hand hygiene. Families who are not breastfeeding, but who would like a quiet space to feed their child, are also welcome to use this space.

A washroom equipped with a brand-new changing table is also located nearby.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer a designated space where nursing parents who visit the DECRH are able to breastfeed their baby in a clean, private and tranquil setting. Initiatives such as this help ensure our hospital community feels fully supported in their breastfeeding journey,” said Colleen Donnelly, Horizon Clinical Program Director for Women’s & Children’s Health.

Separate breastfeeding spaces have also been established at the DECRH to support hospital physicians and staff. 

Breastmilk is widely recognized as being critical for the healthy growth and development of babies and young children, while breastfeeding parents also receive important health benefits, such as a lower risk of breast cancer and diabetes.

Health Canada and the Canadian Pediatric Society recommend giving only breastmilk to babies until six months of age and then continuing to breastfeed with appropriate complementary feeding to two years of age and beyond.

New Brunswick has adopted the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) as a strategy to protect, promote and support breastfeeding and improve the quality of care for women/birthing parents, babies, and families. 

Horizon has a plan to improve health care in New Brunswick. Our plan is focused on retention and recruitment efforts and improving the overall patient experience by addressing patient flow and access to services. Further details about Horizon’s four priority areas are available at HorizonNB.ca. This initiative also supports the Government of New Brunswick’s provincial health plan, Stabilizing Health Care: An Urgent Call to Action

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