Newfoundland and Labrador has one of the lowest breastfeeding initiation rates in Canada. Family physicians play a positive role in supporting and influencing the breastfeeding culture of our communities. Family Physicians can provide direct counselling in a professional, supportive atmosphere and this has a major impact on the infant feeding decisions of families. Because family physicians have an extended relationship with their patients before pregnancy, during pregnancy and in the postpartum, they have many opportunities to support, educate and encourage breastfeeding.
