The public health unit for Oxford and Elgin counties is celebrating National Breastfeeding Week with a new contest.
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Southwestern public health is urging moms to share stories about how they made breastfeeding work for them and their child. Whether that meant a successful or difficult latch, the use of pumps or any combination of approaches, health unit officials want to hear the stories during the national week from Oct. 1 to Oct. 7.
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“National Breastfeeding Week is held the first week of the 10th month of the year in Canada to symbolize the timeline of when a newborn and mother begin their breastfeeding journey after birth,” public health officials said in a release. “This year’s theme is Enabling Breastfeeding: Working to Make a Difference and focused on the various ways in which breastfeeding is made possible, specifically for working parents – through direct latch, pumping or any combination of these.
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The local public health unit celebrates breastfeeding week each year as part of its commitment to its Health Growth and Development program. This program provides supportive services for parents and young children, including no-cost breastfeeding consultations for families who may need support.
Medical evidence shows breastfeeding in any amount and in any format can reduce the risk of infection in a child due to the transferred antibodies. Additionally, mothers who nursed have a reduced risk of cancer later in life, public health officials said.
Breastfeeding stories can be entered via an online contest submission form at app.swpublichealth.ca/Forms/P8n2B. Southwestern public health will be selecting two winners – one from Oxford County and one from St. Thomas and Elgin County. The winners will receive a $250 self-care prize pack that includes a $150 spa gift card and a $100 grocery gift card.
The contest is opened to adults 18 and older from St. Thomas and Oxford and Elgin counties. The contest closes at 11:59 pm on Saturday, Oct. 7.
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