Two researchers from the Max Rady college of medicine, Dr. Nathan Nickel and Dr. Garry Shen, received a sum of $1.1 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to support their breastfeeding programs.
Nickel, an associate professor in the department of community health sciences, and Shen, a professor in internal medicine at the Max Rady college of medicine, are leading two significant projects to support breastfeeding practices through various healthcare related strategies.
According to Dr. Peter Nickerson, vice-provost (health sciences) and dean of the Rady faculty of health sciences, these projects aim not only to advance research but also to foster inclusive and culturally sensitive care.
The received funding is part of the CIHR operating grant: National Women’s Health Research Initiative (NWHRI) innovation fund which supports innovative applied health research focused on improving health outcomes for women, girls and gender diverse folks across Canada.
Nickerson emphasized the importance of this funding to UM Today, stating that it is “vital for enhancing health-care services to address breastfeeding challenges new mothers may face wherever they live.”
Nickel was awarded around $600,000 over three years for his project called THRIVE: Transforming Healthcare through Research to Improve Breastfeeding and Advance Women’s Health. Shen also received a similar amount over three years for his project called Protecting and Supporting Breastfeeding and Lactation Equity in Manitoba through Community-Integrated Education and Care Using Culturally Safe and Gender-Affirming Care.
Nickel and his team seek to expand the baby-friendly hospital initiative (BFHI) into community health centres across Canada. Although BFHI has been instrumental in improving breastfeeding support in hospitals, Nickel’s project aims to adapt these successful practices for community settings.
His initiative will implement a coaching and mentoring program that is designed to assist healthcare centres in enhancing their breastfeeding support services.
According to Nickel, the received funding will enable them to create a comprehensive support network for breastfeeding in community health centres.
“Adapting the baby-friendly hospital initiative to these settings is key because it ensures that women who want to breastfeed get the support they need, no matter where they are receiving care,” said Nickel to UM Today.
Shen’s research, on the other hand, focuses on closing the gaps in access to breastfeeding support across Manitoba, for First Nations families, 2SLGBTQIA+ parents and other underrepresented groups.
According to Shen, the reason for this project is because recent studies showed that the breastfeeding rate is very low in rural regions, particularly in First Nations groups.
He emphasized the urgency, stating that “we think it’s kind of urgent to promote breastfeeding at this moment because during COVID-19, the breastfeeding rate [was] reduced in this province and particularly in First Nations groups.”
He also explained the importance of breastfeeding to First Nations groups, stating that in recent years, research from his group and other university institutes indicates that breastfeeding is an effective way to prevent diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and chronic renal disease among First Nations people.
The main objective of Shen’s project is to establish a culturally competent and gender-inclusive network that ensures parents have access to appropriate resources and support.
The initiative will include culturally respectful referral processes, a province-wide course on infant feeding and expanded peer support programs such as the local Milk Mentors program.
Shen concluded, “by building a culturally competent and gender-inclusive network, we want to make sure that parents not only have access to the supports they need — especially in remote or underserved areas — but that the services are appropriate and affirming.”
