A few weeks ago a 5-hour-old infant died in a hospital maternity ward
(Regina General), while sleeping in a regular hospital bed beside its
mother.  An autopsy and investigation are occurring.  The mom held a press
conference and called for re-instatement of the hospital nursery.  This
hospital Mother-Baby Unit was recently reorganized and the nursery
eliminated.  It appears that the nurse’s union is using the incident to call
for more staffing and reinstatement of the nursery.  The issue was brought
up in the Legislature, by the Opposition party.

 

This is having huge repercussions throughout our province.  It seems that in
both large cities that birth about ½ of the babies of the province, the main
hospitals that deliver have changed practice against co-bedding, and the
mothers are being told to nurse sitting-up, and then move the baby to a
bassinet in the room.  Neither of these hospitals have central nurseries
anymore.

 

In the other large city (Saskatoon), they are moving to remove all
references to co-sleeping from the new-mom take-home publication.  They are
even considering removing all books recommendations that might support
co-sleeping, and even removing contact information for LLL, since they might
recommend co-sleeping.  This publication also covers the period up to 24
months, so basically it will appear that the Health Region does not support
co-sleeping at any time, at any age.  This is all based on liability fears.

 

The publication was written by a local bfing advocacy group (which still
holds copyright) and it is thoroughly researched and referenced.  It has
been used for 10 years or so, by the health region.  As a member of this
group, I may be attending a meeting with Health Region representatives,
public health, etc to discuss this, tomorrow.

 

Any advice or support or experience would be appreciated.  I am very
concerned about this, as I am already hearing that this incident and the
repercussions following it, have squashed any thoughts of removing nurseries
in other hospitals.  

 

Both of these hospitals were working towards BFI designations, but it would
seem that these worries and politics could override any progress made in
that effort.

 

Janice Reynolds

Lay breastfeeding advocate (not a health professional)

Saskatchewan, Canada


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