Breast is best in Richmond

VCH Richmond celebrated World Breastfeeding Week last Saturday, at several venues across the health authority.

This year’s theme, “Getting It Right from the Start,” was celebrated by a Breastfeeding Celebration held simultaneously at Richmond Public Health, 8100 Granville Avenue and at the Birth Centre and NICU in Richmond Hospital on the morning of October 3.

At Richmond Public Health, moms, dads, grandmas and babies from 18 days of age and up, came together to celebrate and share their stories. The goal of all displays, games and fun was to promote, support and protect breastfeeding.

Thank you to our sponsors

At the hospital, 14 moms celebrated their babies’ arrival and breastfeeding their newborns with cake, prizes and gift bags.

This year’s theme emphasized the need for good, ongoing support from partners, families and health care professionals to help women be successful when choosing to breastfeed their babies.

A big thank you goes to the sponsors of the event — Quintessence, IGA Marketplace, Safeway, Medela, Ameda Egnell and Awesome Nails for providing food and door prizes.

Working toward Baby Friendly designation

In the coming months, Richmond Health Services will be working towards becoming the first community in Vancouver Coastal Health to earn the World Health Organization designation of being “Baby Friendly.” This is an important step that will consolidate excellent support for mothers’ as they work toward optimal feeding for their babies.