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Emergency Department

Breastfeeding Week | October 1-7, 2024

In Canada, we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week from October 1 to 8.  World Breastfeeding Week is a time to celebrate the role breastfeeding plays in providing children with the healthiest start in life.

Breast milk has just the right amount of fat, vitamins, protein, carbohydrates and minerals for optimal infant growth.  Breast milk also contains antibodies and other immune factors to help protect against infections and disease.  Breastfeeding benefits mothers’ short- and long-term health and will strengthen the special relationship between mother and baby.

World Breast Feeding Week logo. Red circle with family inside.

This year’s theme is “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.”  This year’s theme will focus on increasing awareness of the inequalities in breastfeeding support and relevance.   Breastfeeding saves lives and is the key intervention to promote both mother and baby’s health, survival and wellbeing.  Breastfeeding promotes both short and long-term health, good nutrition and food security in normal and emergency situations.

Between 2015 and 2021, the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding of infants in the first six months has steadily increased from 38% to 48% and is on track to reach the 50% target of 2025. 

Although progress is happening, it is unequal and insufficient.  Differences in breastfeeding rates occur not only between regions and countries but also within countries.  Structural, organizational, interpersonal and community determinates of infant feeding choices drive the inequity of breastfeeding.  Failing to rectify these inequities will result in a widening gap, even if the overall breastfeeding trend is positive.  Therefore, investment in breastfeeding to address these inequities is vital and can help alleviate the social inequalities.  It is time to inform and engage in actions to help ensure breastfeeding support for all to close the gap of breastfeeding inequalities. 

Brandon Manitoba has many resources to help families during their breastfeeding journey.  These include the following:

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