SIMCOE MUSKOKA - The health unit is teaming up with local community partners in Simcoe and Muskoka to celebrate National Breastfeeding Week, October 1–7.
SIMCOE MUSKOKA - The health unit is teaming up with local community partners in Simcoe and Muskoka to celebrate National Breastfeeding Week, October 1–7.
Breastfeeding Week raises awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and strengthens individual, family and community support for breastfeeding.
The theme for the week, Breastfeeding: Foundation for Life, recognizes breastfeeding as the foundation of lifelong good health for babies and mothers. Breastfeeding is a low-cost way of feeding babies, with no additional burden on household income, and is an assurance of food security for babies even in times of crisis. The World Health Organization calls on governments worldwide to create environments that enable mothers and families to make informed choices about feeding their infants and young children.
Local municipal councils have implemented policies to support breastfeeding in public spaces. Several will be proclaiming National Breastfeeding Week and many are raising a flag to celebrate.
Many other celebrations are taking place in local communities during the week.
With the support of community partners, the health unit achieved their Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) status in 2018! This is a worldwide designation from the World Health Organization and UNICEF to protect, promote and support breastfeeding and to support the infant feeding needs of all families.
Weekly breastfeeding drop-in programs are held in Alliston, Barrie, Bradford, Collingwood and Midland. Mothers can share their experiences and get support from public health nurses on breastfeeding and other child health topics. A list of community services is available on the health unit’s website at www.smdhu.org/breastfeeding.
For information or help with breastfeeding, call Health Connection Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.
Celebratory events can be found in the following communities.
National Breastfeeding Week 2018
| Community | Events Planned |
| Orillia | Monday, Oct. 1, 11 a.m. - Breastfeeding Flag Raising event at the Orillia Opera House, 20 Mississaga St. West, Orillia. |
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</barrie<> | Monday, Oct. 1, 1:30 p.m. City of Barrie Breastfeeding Flag Raising and Proclamation at Barrie City Hall, 70 Collier St., Barrie. Barrie Breastfeeding Action Team’s Facebook Social Media Challenge, “I breastfeed/breastfed because…. “ #BFAwarenessChallenge2018 |
| Bradford | Tuesday, Oct. 2, 11 a.m. Bradford West Gwillimbury Breastfeeding Flag Raising and Proclamation, Bradford West Gwillimbury Court House, 57 Holland St. E., Bradford. |
| Innisfil | Monday, Oc.t 1, 11 a.m. Town of Innisfil Breastfeeding Flag Raising and Proclamation, Innisfil Town Hall, 2101 Innisfil Beach Rd, Innisfil. Thursday Oct. 4, 2–4 p.m. Drop in for a chance to meet other parents, spend time with your child and ask a public health nurse questions about feeding your baby and how your child is developing. There will be crafts, sensory playtime, parent-child photo with a green screen and a small swag bag to take home. Innisfil ideaLAB and Library, Lakeshore Branch, 967 Innisfil Beach Rd., Innisfil. https://innisfil.bibliocommons.com/events/search/local_start=2018-10-04%20TO%20/event/5bacefaa55a44e3500c99368 |
| Alliston | Wednesday, Oct. 3, 1 p.m. A special drop-in to celebrate together. Refreshments available. Alliston EarlyON Child and Family Centre, 13 Wellington St W., Alliston. |
| Collingwood | Wednesday, Oct. 3, 10:30 a.m. A special drop-in to celebrate together. Refreshments available. Collingwood EarlyON Child and Family Centre, 250A Peel St., Collingwood. |
| Midland | Monday, Oct. 1 at 10:30 a.m. Tay Township Breastfeeding Flag Raising and Proclamation, 450 Park St., Victoria Harbour. Monday, Oct. 1 at 12 p.m. Tiny Township Breastfeeding Flag Raising and Proclamation, 130 Balm Beach Rd. W., Tiny Township. Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 9:30 a.m. Town of Midland Breastfeeding Flag Raising and Proclamation, 575 Dominion Avenue, Midland. Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 11:00 a.m. Georgian Bay General Hospital Breastfeeding Flag Raising, 1112 St. Andrew’s Drive, Midland. Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 10:30 a.m. Town of Penetanguishene Flag Raising and Proclamation. 10 Robert Street West, Penetanguishene. Wednesday, Oct. 3 from 12:30 – 3 p.m. Breastfeeding celebration during MamaTribe - Chigamik, 845 King St., Midland. |
| Muskoka | Muskoka Breastfeeding Coalition PSA video on Facebook.com |
| Bracebridge | Muskoka Breastfeeding Banner on bridge for 2.5 weeks, Oct. 3 to 22, 2018. |
