For new parents in Delta affected by Fraser Health’s decision to scrap the popular nurse-led BabyDaze post-natal program, help is just a vote away.
In a video released Monday, Achieving for Delta’s mayoral candidate George Harvie announced his plan to restore the public health resource for new parents with infants under the age of eight months as soon as spring 2019. See the video at this link: https://www.facebook.com/Harvie4Delta/videos/2467241153487385/.
“I’ve talked to many young families affected by the cancellation of the BabyDaze program who feel abandoned in seeking post-natal support here at home,” said Harvie. “When you’re a new parent, a bridge or tunnel is too far to travel to get the help you need in raising a happy and healthy baby.
“That’s why as your next mayor, I will ensure we quickly fill the gap by bringing back the nurse-led BabyDaze program, which will help new parents receive easy-to-access health resources and advice from qualified professionals.”
Harvie says he will work with a renewed council to instruct staff to restore local access to a public health nurse on a weekly basis, who can offer services such as infant weight monitoring and breastfeeding support. The nurse can also connect participants to other community resources as needed and identify when a parent might need intervention from a physician.
Harvie credits new Tsawwassen mom Erica Beard with being a fierce advocate for the program, which she participated in last year. A registered nurse by trade, Beard is running for school board on the Achieving for Delta slate with a goal of building healthy Delta communities where children and parents can thrive.
“George asked me what I wanted to see in a plan for young families like mine in Delta, and as any experienced leader does, he listened,” said Beard, who joined Harvie in the video announcement. “By bringing back a public health nurse to Delta on a weekly basis, young parents like me won’t have to face the unknown alone: they’ll receive much-needed support on everything from nutrition, to sun and winter safety, screen time, anxiety, and postpartum depression.”
Under Achieving for Delta’s plan, the program will operate as part of the department of parks, recreation, and leisure as a complement to existing support resources for new parents. The department will be tasked with continually reviewing and refining the program to better meet the needs of the community.
“Not only is this program an important health resource – it’s a safe place to discuss fears and celebrate successes,” added Beard. “Being a new parent can be incredibly isolating – and the BabyDaze program allows parents to get out of the house to enjoy social time with our children with other parents. This local program helped me immensely as a new mom – and I’m so proud to be a part of the only team in this election working to restore it.”
