Make Breastfeeding Your Business (MBYB)

Make Breastfeeding Your Business
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Make Breastfeeding Your Business is a provincial initiative that helps businesses, organizations and municipalities adopt practices and policies that protect, promote and support breastfeeding. Within the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), the Rotary Club of Dartmouth East, in partnership with the Breastfeeding Community of Practice, supports businesses and organizations in becoming more breastfeeding friendly for staff, volunteers and clients.

Health Canada recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life, with continued breastfeeding in combination with solid foods to age two and beyond. Atlantic Canada has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the country. Currently, in Nova Scotia, 80% of women initiate breastfeeding, while only 13% reach the recommended 6 months for exclusive breastfeeding. Research shows that with the right support, more women will reach their breastfeeding goals and more babies will benefit from the health promotion and protection that breast milk provides.


Breastfeeding has multiple health, economic and environmental benefits for families and communities.  Breastfeeding reduces a mother's risk of certain types of cancers and supports her return to a healthy weight after pregnancy, along with improving the emotional bonding with her baby.  Breast milk provides an easily digestible source of nutrients for baby and a host of immune protection and health supporting factors.  Breastfeeding has no impact on the environment compared to formula feeding.  And, by exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months, it's estimated that a family will save up to $1700, in that short time - a significant amount, especially for economically challenged families.

For more information about the Make Breastfeeding Your Business initiative, please refer to the Mini ToolKit (in downloads at left) or contact info@rotarydartmoutheast.org.