World Breastfeeding Week starts tomorrow and we want to celebrate! I want to share some history about this important week with you, and be sure to read to the end to learn about our World Breastfeeding Week campaign starting today and your chance to win a breast milk pump!
World Breastfeeding Week
World Breastfeeding Week, a week aimed at generating public awareness and support for breastfeeding, is celebrated annually around the world. While the official dates for World Breastfeeding Week are August 1 to 7, commemorating the signing of the Innocenti Declaration in 1990, many countries celebrate national breastfeeding week at a different time in order to increase public participation and attention. Much of Canada celebrates the first week of October, the 40th week of the year, to recognize the first week of life after nine months of gestation, when a baby begins to breastfeed.
The theme is set annually each year by WABA (World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action), and this year’s theme in BC is “Breastfeeding: An Investment in Healthy Communities.”
We all have a role to play to foster healthy infant nutrition and breastfeeding support across the North.
On a daily basis throughout British Columbia, support for women of all ages, races, cultures, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic circumstances helps them to meet their individual breastfeeding goals in their homes, communities, workplaces, schools, hospitals, community centres, and health care provider offices. Many of these resources can be found on the breastfeeding page of the Northern Health website. Other assistance can come from community support from friends, civic facilities, and workplace colleagues.
Share the story of your breastfeeding journey!
Breastfeeding is a natural and normal way of feeding infants and young children. But we all need support and guidance sometimes. Share the story of your breastfeeding journey to help support those who may need encouragement when facing their own experiences! We want to hear from all perspectives – whether you’re a mom, a dad, a partner, or a family member of a breastfeeding mom, your journey is your own!
Comments