Breast is best as moms go for gold

Photo by Daniel Ho

Barbara Augustin breastfeeds nine-month-old Everton as part of the Peel Region World Breastfeeding Week event at the Mississauga Civic Centre’s Great Hall this morning.

By: Debbie Bruce

October 4, 2008 02:54 PM –

Peel Public Health needed to get something off its chest this morning, while celebrating World Breastfeeding Week in Peel at the Mississauga Civic Centre.
They wanted to send the message to all new mothers that ‘breast is best’.
Peel Region partnered with Ontario Early Years Centres and La Leche League Canada to remind the public about the importance of exclusively breastfeeding babies for at least the first six months of their lives.
“Breast milk has absolutely everything a baby needs to be protected throughout its life. Today is about making sure moms know there is support and help in making the decision to breastfeed,” says Sheilagh Peterson of La Leche. “Formula is not comparable. Breast milk is a living fluid with antibodies. Each mother’s milk is specially tailored to the needs of their own baby.”
Referring to the tainted milk crisis in China and recent weather woes in the US, Peterson adds, “With breast milk, there is no risk of contamination and you don’t have to worry about the power going off.”
The day’s theme was ‘Mother Support: Going for the Gold’, likening the act of breastfeeding a baby to preparing to compete in the Olympic games; both a commitment that requires a focus on health and well-being and a need for a strong support network. Exhibitors offered information and tips, and activities included superhero games for the babies, a workout led by FITMOM founder Andrea Page and the annual latch-on challenge.
This year’s 68 happy babies being fed simultaneously fell just short of last year’s record-winning 76.
The event also included guest speakers Justine Blainey, the Canadian hockey player who fought for her right to play in the strictly male Metro Toronto Hockey League and Dr. David Mowat, the Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Peel. It was hosted by CityNews entertainment reporter Liz West.
“I’m really glad to be a part of this,” said West, who has a three-year-old son and a ten-month-old daughter. “I had such a great experience with breastfeeding, both physically and mentally. I want to encourage other women not to give up. It’s such a great bonding experience.”
Three-and-a-half-month old Carolyn Gamble enjoyed the Mother Goose segment of the day performed by the Early Years Centre. With a little help from her mom, Lorna Baker, Carolyn danced and swayed to Itsy Bitsy Spider and other nursery rhymes. Baker made use of a breastfeeding clinic when she struggled early on with her first daughter, Veronica. “I wanted to give up on breastfeeding,” says the Streetsville resident, who experienced problems with her milk supply. “It was just too hard. So I went to my doctor and he urged me to contact a clinic. I did and they helped me to get Veronica to latch on properly and suggested pumping more, which helped. Now with Carolyn, everything’s fine. I’m really glad I got the support I needed.”
Breastfeeding clinics can be reached by calling 905-799-7700 or visiting www.breastfeedinginpeel.ca.