Mothers in Richmond, Vancouver, North Vancouver and Pemberton will unite next weekend to kick-off 2012 World Breastfeeding Week. The event is held yearly to celebrate healthy babies and promote public acceptance of breastfeeding as a normal, natural part of child-rearing.
This year’s celebratory theme: Go Green – Reduce your footprint and breastfeed your baby. The act of breastfeeding a baby carries with it a carbon footprint of exactly zero. Human milk is green, it is a natural, renewable resource, and it is all the baby needs for the first six months of life.
Activities in Richmond
The 2012 World Breastfeeding Week activities will kick-off on Friday, September 28 with VCH’s Baby Friendly display booth at Aberdeen Centre Mall. Be sure to drop in and say “hi” as nurses will be available to chat and discuss breastfeeding experiences.
The booth and nurses will also be at the Steveston Farmers’ Market on Sunday, September 30, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. And, during Breastfeeding Week, look for the VCH breastfeeding display at the Brighouse Branch of the Richmond Public Library.
Attend a Challenge near you
On Saturday, September 29th, the 11th annual Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge will take place at three sites in VCH – in Vancouver, North Vancouver and Pemberton. The challenge is sponsored by Vancouver Coastal Health and the Quintessence Foundation and strives to set new yearly records for the most babies breastfeeding at one time.
- Vancouver: Creekside Community Centre, 1 Athlete’s Way, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, with latch-on starting at 11 a.m. This celebration is an all-ages, free event and will include performances by Go Go Bonkers and The Purple Pirate.
- North Vancouver: Royal Canadian Legion #118, Chris Lucas Room, 123 W. 15th Street, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, with latch-on starting at 11 a.m. This all-ages, free event and will include door prizes, entertainment and refreshments.
- Pemberton: Sea To Sky Community Services, 1357 Aster Street, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with latch-on starting at 11 a.m. This an all-ages, free event.
Participants who can’t make it to either of the Breastfeeding Challenge events in person can participate from home via the Vancouver Coastal Breastfeeding Celebration Facebook page. Just comment on the page at 11 a.m. on September 29th, and let us know you’re participating. You will be included in the official VCH count.
Number counts will be submitted electronically at the time of latch-on, and results are posted on the Quintessence website, www.babyfriendly.ca.