CanadianBabies

Breastfeeding Challenge

On September 29th, 2007 at 11:00 am mothers and babies at sites across Canada and the United States will compete to set the record for the most babies breastfeeding at one time. The winners of the competition will be the region (province or territory or state) with the most babies participating as a percentage of the birth rate. To level the playing field between large and small, each site will be entered into one of four groups determined by birth rate.

Why this challenge? Breastfeeding has many well-documented benefits including better health for both mothers and babies. However, many women fail to meet their own breastfeeding goals and wean their children prematurely, well before meeting recommended guidelines. Two of the biggest hurdles for mothers continue to be lack of support and marginalization by the community.

This event takes place as part of the celebration of World Breastfeeding Week in Canada. It is sponsored by the Quintessence Foundation, a non-profit group providing education to parents and professionals about breastfeeding. For more information contact Quintessence Foundation at 604-228-9331 or visit the website: www.babyfriendly.ca

Newman Breastfeeding Clinic!

Dr. Jack Newman has been assisting breastfeeding mothers and babies for years. However the Newman Breastfeeding Clinic and Institute receives no government funding, despite servicing hundreds Toronto’s mothers each year. In order to raise badly needed funds, the clinic is staging an indoor yardsale on September 29 (see attached flyer). There will also be a breastfeeding challenge, raffle, and a chance to sign a petition asking the government for stable funding.

Indoor Yardsale Fundraiser
September 29, 2007
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
1255 Sheppard Ave East, Toronto 

For more information contact mom2momdani@gmail.com

Maternity Leave & Breastfeeding

Longer maternity leave means more breastfeeding, study finds

    

A recent study released by Statistics Canada has found that mothers who take longer maternity leave breastfeed for longer durations. Canadian mothers who gave birth before December 31, 2000 were entitled to 6 months maternity leave, but those who gave birth after became entitled to a full year. Following this change, more mothers are exclusively breastfeeding for six months or more, the duration recommended by the World Health Organization and Health Canada. For a report on the study click here.