World Breastfeeding Week: October 1 to 7 has been designated World Breastfeeding Week in Canada. World Breastfeeding Week celebrates the importance of breastfeeding for all women, children, families and communities. This year’s theme is “Breastfeeding Saves Lives: Protecting Infant Health Everyday and in Emergencies”. This slogan reflects breastmilk’s capacity to provide infants and young children with nutrition, immunological protection against serious health problems, optimal neurological stimulation and attachment. Not breastfeeding has serious health consequences for both mothers and children such as obesity, cancer and diabetes. Each year millions of people all over the world face disasters, both chronic and acute. In regions affected by natural disasters, human-made catastrophes, epidemics, pandemic flus and chronic poverty, breastfeeding is essential to ensuring child survival. For more information about World Breastfeeding Week check out www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org
