NEWS RELEASE
SIMCOE MUSKOKA DISTRICT HEALTH UNIT
*************************
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is teaming up with local community partners in Simcoe and Muskoka to celebrate National Breastfeeding Week the first week of October.
National Breastfeeding Week raises awareness of the importance of, and the need for support, for breastfeeding from family, community members, organizations, businesses and workplaces.
The theme “Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding” was chosen to focus on breastfeeding as a team effort. A culture of support, empowerment and enablement is fundamental to supporting breastfeeding families in our community.
Professional support for breastfeeding relies on evidence to show where strengths and weaknesses and what types of activity work best to allow parents to reach the recommended six months of exclusive breastfeeding for their babies.
Locally, health unit studies have shown an interesting relationship between people who breastfed in public and the length of time they continued to breastfeed. Public support for breastfeeding in public places has risen steadily in recent years. This in turn can make individuals feel more comfortable when their infants need feeding in public — which in turn can increase the chances of breastfeeding for longer.
Exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months is known to improve a person’s chances for good health over a lifetime.
Because breastfeeding is a team effort, we all have a role to play to support the breastfeeding family. Whether you are friends or family, a community member, municipal government or workplace there are things you can do to empower and enable breastfeeding. Attend one of the many local events during National Breastfeeding Week to show your support.
It’s also valuable to know where families can go to get help with issues. Visit www.smdhu.org/breastfeeding for a map of locations of breastfeeding services.
In addition, businesses, organizations and workplaces can do their part by reviewing Becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly Place: A step by step guide
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.
*************************
