4th annual fundraising Walk for Breastfeeding

Hello People - Just received this via email with a request to help get the word out - so here goes :-)

Local Mothers Join Worldwide “Latch-In” to Raise Awareness of Breastfeeding Benefits

On September 29, 2012 at 11:00 am mothers and children at sites across Canada, the United States and other countries around the world will compete to set the record for the most children breastfeeding at one time. In 2010, The Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge brought together 4,373 children in 18 countries at over 213 sites with a total of over 20,000 supporters. La Leche League Canada (LLLC) – St. John’s invites all breastfeeding supporters to join their goal to significantly increase participation in the event and to increase public awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding.

Why this challenge? With La Leche League Canada’s 51-year history of supporting Canadian mothers who wish to breastfeed, the St. John’s group felt participating in the challenge was a good fit for their 4th annual fundraising Walk for Breastfeeding at Kenny’s Pond Playground (September 29, 2012 at 10:30 am). Funds raised at the event will help the non-profit organization promote a better understanding of breastfeeding’s importance in the healthy development of baby and mother. LLLC helps mothers and parents everywhere by providing education, encouragement and mother-to-mother support. LLLC – St. John’s has been active in this community for over 20 years!

The Quintessence Foundation, a non-profit group providing education to parents and professionals about breastfeeding and human milk banking, sponsors the Breastfeeding Challenge.Breastfeeding has many well-documented benefits including better health for both mothers and babies. According to UNICEF, of the 136.7 million babies born worldwide, only 32.6% of them breastfeed exclusively in the first six months. The recommendation is for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding for two years and beyond together with adequate, appropriate and indigenous complimentary feeding starting from the age of six months. 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. In North America this lack of support is demonstrated as many women find breastfeeding in public a major barrier.For more information contact Jan Beattie, Leader of La Leche League Canada – St.John’s

Home: 709-739-9368  email: lllc.janbt@gmail.com   http://www.lllc.ca/

For more information about Quintessence Foundation contact 604-228-9331 or visit the website: www.babyfriendly.ca