Breast milk is inexpensive, readily available, comes in the perfect environmentally friendly feeding vessel, and provides all the nutrients your baby needs for the first six months after birth.

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding, with the introduction of solid food, for two years or beyond.

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated in Canada from October 1-7. This year’s theme – Breastfeeding: a winning goal for life! – recognizes that when mothers and babies succeed in their breastfeeding plans, they can enjoy a lifetime of benefits.

Breastfeeding provides health benefits to both baby and mother. Breast milk provides infants with unique nutritional and health benefits, such as antibodies and reduced risk for developing asthma, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and becoming obese in later life. For the mother, breastfeeding helps the body recover from the stresses of pregnancy, labour, and delivery; and the risk of developing breast cancer is also reduced.

“Breastfeeding is natural, but it is not always easy. Learning to breastfeed and becoming comfortable with breastfeeding takes time,” said Patty Hallam, Knowledge Coordinator, with Interior Health. “Support from a team of helpers that includes family, friends, health-care providers, and communities can make all the difference in building a woman’s confidence and comfort with breastfeeding.”

Public health nurses are available at health units across Interior Health to assist mothers and infants during the breastfeeding years, and to ensure families have all the help they need to give babies the best start in life. Contact your local public health unit for more information.

Support is also a click away with Healthy Families BC’s Breastfeeding Buddy web-based app (https://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/home/articles/breastfeeding-buddy). This easy, fun and educational resource is designed to provide women and families with quick online access to key information about breastfeeding, support in their communities and answers to common questions. It also has fun interactive tools to help families keep track of breastfeeding activities, diaper changes and sleep patterns.

Interior Health nurses along with their community partners will be hosting events to mark World Breastfeeding Week. The events aim to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and build support for breastfeeding in communities. All breastfeeding mothers and their supporters are encouraged to attend Breastfeeding Week events in their areas.

Community Breastfeeding Week Events 

Golden: Baby Talk – Celebrating Breastfeeding Week

Join us for refreshments & fun.

Date: October 1 – Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Location: Early Years Centre, 421 9th Ave N

For more information contact: Anne Hooper-Johnston at 250-344-3001.

Invermere: Breastfeeding Circle & Infant Nutrition Information Session

Date: October 2 – Time: 10 a.m. -11 a.m.

Location: Invermere Health Centre, 850 10 Ave.

For more information contact: Susan Osadetz at 250-342-2360

Cranbrook/Kimberley:  Breastfeeding Challenge 2014

Meet other breastfeeding families and learn about breastfeeding supports in the area. Lots of prizes, swag bags, refreshments and a baby-wearing fashion show.

Date: October 4 – Time: 10:30 a.m. – noon / Latch on at 11 a.m.

Location:  Cranbrook Farmer’s Market, 10th Ave beside Rotary Park

For more information contact: Pam at 250 420 2207, Daleen at 250-426-0299 or Raegen at 250-432-2005.

Creston: Baby Fair, Picnic and World Breastfeeding Week Celebration

Families with babies are invited to come and celebrate all things baby. Join us for displays and presentations on breastfeeding, infant development, nutrition, baby massage, and more! Firefighters with infant and child car seat technician certification will be on hand to check your seats. Bring a picnic blanket!

Date: October 4 – Time: 10 a.m. -1 p.m. / Latch on at noon

Location: Creston Education Centre (Old South Creston School), 617 11th Ave S Creston

For more information contact: Claire Bouchard at 250 428 3873

Fernie: Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge

Door Prizes, Refreshments. Following the latch on stay for viewing of the movie ‘Breastmilk.’

Date: October 4 – Time: 10:30 a.m. / Latch on at 11 a.m.

Location: Infinitea, 501-1st Ave

For more information contact: Bellies to Babies at 250 430-1045

Interior Health

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