Anishininew infant feeding experiences in Sandy Lake, Canada: a story of Waabeequanee.

Global public health recommendations for optimal infant nutrition include exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life. Breastfeeding has several benefits; however, breastfeeding initiation rates and duration remain below recommendations in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. Sandy Lake First Nation is particularly interested in understanding infant feeding experiences of community members to support increased breastfeeding initiation and duration.

Infant feeding experiences among Indigenous communities in Canada, the United States, Australia, and Aotearoa: a scoping review of the qualitative literature.

Background: Although exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life, research suggests that breastfeeding initiation rates and duration among Indigenous communities differ from this recommendation. Qualitative studies point to a variety of factors influencing infant feeding decisions; however, there has been no collective review of this literature published to date. Therefore, the objective of this scoping review was to identify and summarize the qualitative literature regarding Indigenous infant feeding experiences within Canada, the United States, Australia, and Aotearoa.

Determinants of Anishinabeck infant and early childhood growth trajectories in Northwestern Ontario, Canada: a cohort study.

Background: The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) paradigm emphasizes the significance of early life factors for the prevention of chronic health conditions, like type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and obesity, which disproportionately affect First Nations communities in Canada. Despite increasing DOHaD research related to maternal health during pregnancy, early childhood growth patterns, and infant feeding practices with many populations, data from First Nations communities in Canada are limited. In partnership with Sandy Lake First Nation, the aims of this project were to characterize birthweights and growth patterns of First Nations infants/children over the first 6 years of life and to study the impact of maternal and infant social and behavioral factors on birthweight and growth trajectories.

Indigenous Food Systems Changes and Resiliency: Protocol for a Scoping Review.

Background: Indigenous food systems (IFS) consider the complex relationships and connections between land, animals, plants, water, and people. These food systems may differ between regions, Indigenous cultures, and history; however, given the similar colonial histories and policies influencing Indigenous groups in Canada, the United States, Australia, and Aotearoa (New Zealand), the IFS changes and responses in these regions may follow similar trends. Climate change and pollution continue to impact the environment in catastrophic ways, and this, in turn, impacts IFS.

Protocol for a scoping review of the qualitative literature on Indigenous infant feeding experiences.

Introduction: Prudent infant nutrition, including exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months, is essential for optimal short-term and long-term health. Quantitative research to date has documented that many Indigenous communities have lower breastfeeding rates than the general population and that this gap in breastfeeding initiation and maintenance may have an important impact on chronic disease risk later in life. However, there are critical knowledge gaps in the literature regarding factors that influence infant feeding decisions.

Capacity building and personal empowerment: participatory food costing in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Food insecurity impacts millions of people globally. It has been recognized as a priority and a human right by the United Nations where empowerment of women is identified as a significant goal in addressing food insecurity. In the Maritime Province of Nova Scotia (NS), Canada, more than one in five children live in food insecure households.