On Saturday, Oct. 4, at 11 a.m. mothers and children around the world will come together to breastfeed their children.
This fun event is a challenge to see which geographic area (province, state or territory) has the most breastfeeding babies, as a percentage of the birth rate, “latched on” at 11 a.m. local time.
In Kelowna, this year’s Breastfeeding Challenge will be held once again at The Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market at Springfield and Dilworth.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., with official “latch on” at 11 a.m.
Kelowna Breastfeeding Café is happy to organize this fun breastfeeding celebration for the third year in a row.
This dynamic breastfeeding support group was founded by two local moms, both passionate breastfeeding advocates. The event will also include a raffle, made possible by many local businesses.
The international theme for World Breastfeeding Week is: Breastfeeding: a winning goal for life.
The theme asserts the importance of increasing and sustaining the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding. Exclusive breastfeeding and adequate complementary feeding (at about six months) are key interventions for improving child survival worldwide.
Why this challenge? Breastfeeding has many well documented benefits, including better health for both mothers and babies.
According to UNICEF, only 32.6 per cent of babies born worldwide are exclusively breastfed at six months.
The recommendation is for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding for two years and beyond, together with complementary feeding starting from the age of six months.
