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Breastfeeding challenge set for Oct. 11 Print E-mail
Written by BERNICE TRICK
Citizen staff   
Sunday, 21 September 2008
Prince George mothers are being encouraged once again to gather, promote and celebrate the practice of nurturing babies on mothers' milk during the annual breast feeding challenge.
The international event, which concludes World Breastfeeding Week, is a friendly contest to set the record for the most babies breastfeeding at one time, said Jessica Madrid, registered and public health nurse with Northern Health.
The challenge is set for 10 a.m. Oct. 11 in the Keith Gordon room at the Prince George Public Library, where the whole family can enjoy music, food and prizes.
"We have prize categories for those moms that have been breastfeeding the longest, have the youngest baby or are breastfeeding multiples.
"Since our theme is Mothers Support, there's a draw for those entered by the mothers as their best support person," Madrid said.
Last year Prince George, with 26 mothers with babies attending, received a per capita population award for participation.
Across B.C. 825 babies participated to rank B.C. first in Canada for regions with an annual birthrate between 10,000 and 50,000.
Last year in Canada the largest site was MontrΘal-Pl Bonaventure, with 445 babies participating. The largest region was the province of Quebec with 2,192 babies participating. The region with the largest number of challenge sites was Ontario with 52 sites.
The current World Guinness record for the most women breastfeeding simultaneously was set by 3,541 women in the city of Manila in the Philippines in 2006.
There are many health benefits to breastfeeding for both babies and mothers, said Madrid.
Research has shown that breast-fed babies have less chance of becoming obese or contracting diabetes in later life, and nursing babies are also protected against infection.
The local challenge is sponsored by Prince George Baby Friendly Initiatives, Children First Initiative, Quintessence Foundation and Prince George Public Library.
For more information call Madrid at 250-565-7305 or Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it




Comments (6)add
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written by bcracer , September 22, 2008 (11:09:44 AM)
So much for not wanting a big issue made of this...
you gals seem to be making a bigger issue of it than anyone I know....
If you want them out there for babies, god, and everyone to see go for it!
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You go girls!!!
written by White House , September 22, 2008 (12:24:16 PM)
If I had a child that was young enough to be breastfeeding still, I'd be joining everyone at the Library! Being able to provide the best for your children is something to celebrate and be proud of.

Now that our children are older & have asked about bottle and breastfeeding, they have thanked me for making the decision to give them 'mommy milk'. I hope more women are supported in this decision.
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written by bcracer , September 22, 2008 (01:23:48 PM)
And for the record before, I get drawn and quartered...
I have no problem with women breast feeding in public discretely and most do....
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written by allniter , September 22, 2008 (01:25:34 PM)
The one thing about breastfeeding is that there is no doubt about where the milk is coming from and what's in it. I'll be watching for the numbers after the 11th. Good luck to the organizers and participants!
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written by Reality , September 22, 2008 (01:39:59 PM)
Sometimes it's a decision made for you - not one you can make on your own. Quite frankly, I think the support for breast feeding is commendable and as it should be. However, in the process of advocating breast feeding, those moms who cannot, or for whatever reason, choose not to breast feed are left feeling as though they are failing their child. I was actually told, to my face, that because I(for medical reasons, no less) decided to bottle feed, that my child would not be the best he could be, that he would be sickly, struggle in school, have developmental issues, and that it would be my own fault.

Well, that's a crock, and unfortunatley the mental anguish a new mother goes through resulting from this pressure is crippling. Factor in post partum and there is a receipe for disaster.

I am not anti breast feeding - I had another child who I was able to breast feed for almost a year, so this is not an issue.

Just because one mother is breast feeding does not make her a better mother than one who is not, yet this is the message that is put out there over and over again.

If you are able to breast feed, then go for it - good for you - celebrate. But if you're not - please don't feel bad about it and yes, your child will still be wonderful, smart and healthy.

How about we support all new mothers - not just those who are breast feeding.
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written by Mike S , September 22, 2008 (02:10:51 PM)
Reality those are some great points. It's always enlightening to get other perspectives. I guess it falls, like so many things, under the category of "walking a mile in someone's shoes'.
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