This week we are celebrating national breastfeeding/ chestfeeding week, which takes place each year in Canada from October 1 to 7.
Celebrations are taking place in Maple Ridge, Langley and Chilliwack. Lactating parents can bring their families to one of these events to enjoy story time and door prizes and to mingle with other breastfeeding/chestfeeding families.
This week’s celebrations are about celebrating breastfeeding/chestfeeding and to show our support for parents to breastfeed/chestfeed anytime, any place.
Breast/chest milk is considered to be the healthiest way to feed infants as it provides nutrients to help babies grow and provides antibodies to protect babies from infections and diseases.
We support and encourage all families in feeding their infants and young children in as healthy a manner as possible, whether that be by breastfeeding/chestfeeding or using human milk substitutes, such as pasteurised human milk from appropriately screened donors and commercial infant formula.
We also want to recognize those who generously contribute to our human milk bank. Donor milk is primarily used to feed premature and sick babies who are at high risk for illnesses and infections. We encourage anyone who has more milk than what their baby needs, to please consider donating. Learn more about donating at fraserhealth.ca/milkdonor.
Events:
- Wednesday, October 4
Maple Ridge Public Library
22470 Dewdney Trunk Road
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Thursday, October 5
Langley Public Health Unit
#110 – 6470 201 Street
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Saturday, October 7
Chilliwack Public Health Unit
45470 Menholm Road
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
