WHO has recommended that mother’s milk is the best for infants. Breast milk is made up of more than 200 nutritious components that help babies to grow strong and healthy. According to WHO, no milk powder can match the efficacy of mother’s milk. Interior Health and the World Health Organization recommend that new moms must breastfeed their babies for at least the first six months.

October 1 to 7 is World Breastfeeding Week in Canada. During this time Interior Health public health nurses will support those communities that are holding events to promote breastfeeding. Friends, family and breastfeeding moms will join to help others to support breastfeeding.

Not only the babies but also the moms benefit from breastfeeding. It reduces the incidence of asthma, cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and SIDS and is shown to improve cognitive ability. Mothers who breastfeed their babies are less prone to diseases like breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis.

During the World Breastfeeding Week, lactation consultants and public health nurses will be available at Public Health Units. They will assist mothers and infants during the breastfeeding years and ensure families have all of the help they need to give babies the best start in life.