Two local baby organizations hosted a challenge on October 4 to see which geographic area had the most breastfeeding babies.
Babies latched on that morning at Infinitea T-Bar as part of the Annual Breastfeeding Challenge.
Through the Quintessence Foundation — a non-profit organization that focuses on educating the public on breastfeeding — Bellies to Babies and Breastfeeding Mama’s put on the event. Bellies to Babies is run through the Fernie Women’s Resource Centre, and assists women during their pregnancy until the baby turns one. Breastfeeding Mama’s is a volunteer support group between breastfeeding mothers.
The event has had a long history in Fernie and has been held here for approximately a decade, but it has been going on across the nation since 2001.
When it first began, explained Sue Bannatyne, the registered nurse with Bellies to Babies, the breastfeeding challenge was limited to B.C. only, but it quickly expanded into North America and then became a global campaign.
“When it went global, it was really to promote breastfeeding and to support women who are breastfeeding and the normalcy surrounding breastfeeding,” explained Bannatyne.
This year, babies latched on around the world in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Romania and more.
Eighteen moms came out for the event, and each mom was able to win a variety of prizes including baby toys and vouchers to local businesses. One mom from Vancouver even came for the event.
The event was also a way to encourage the growing baby population in Fernie, which has already surpassed last year’s annual total.
“This was a really great way to support babies and young families in the area. For 2013, we had 96 Fernie babies and as of October 5, we’re at 105,” said Bannatyne.
The challenge also played the movie Breastmilk following the feeding. The movie addresses the realities of breastfeeding and why very few women succeed in breastfeeding their children exclusively for the recommended first six months of their lives.