World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) in Canada is October 1-7, with this year’s theme being “Breastfeeding and Work - Let’s Make it Work,” states a release from the Sunrise Health Region.
Balancing work and family life, including breastfeeding, is becoming increasingly important for working mothers as economic and labour conditions continue to change the re-lease said. There are still countries in this world that do not provide paid maternity leave. Research continues to show that there are long and short-term health benefits with paid maternity leave including healthier and happier mothers and babies.
Happier and healthier mothers and babies lead to lower national health care costs and lower absenteeism costs for the employer. Once mothers return to work, it is important for employers to support their wish to continue a breastfeeding relationship with their children. A way in which employers can support new moms is by providing them with a space and time to pump while they are at work.
In celebration of WBW and its theme to support balancing work and breastfeeding, the Baby Friendly Initiative Working Group will be unveiling a breastfeeding space at the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton on October 3. To celebrate this and WBW further, the BFI Working Group will also be hosting the Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge at 11 a.m. at the Gallagher Centre, when across the globe, women breastfeed their babies simultaneously to raise awareness for and support breastfeeding.
