World Breastfeeding Week 2000:
we did it again!

As we go to print, World Breastfeeding Week evaluations and action reports are beginning to come in from all over the country. But we want more! If you haven't already, please sent us your feedback on our World Breastfeeding Week Kit, and better yet, tell us what you did. We want to share your great ideas with INFACT members across the country. And most importantly, we NEED your feedback to plan for next year. The theme will be related to Breastfeeding and Communication.

From the feedback received so far, the theme -- Breastfeeding : It's Your Right! -- struck a chord with everyone. Media coverage received to date has been more extensive than in previous years, and more substantial in content. For instance, we are seeing long sidebars with detailed benefits of breastfeeding, and breastfeeding protection under international conventions being reproduced at length.

Here's a sample of what we've heard about so far ...

“Arresting” Public Awareness Campaign

By happy co-incidence, the theme of World Breastfeeding Week and Ontario Human Rights Commission's (OHRC) public education priority were the same. INFACT was fortunate not only to receive a contribution towards the production of the World Breastfeeding Week kit from the OHRC, we also collaborated on a public education campaign which appeared in transit systems in major urban centres across Ontario for four weeks in October/November.

Posters featured our "convict" babies and phone numbers for the OHRC, INFACT Canada, and the local public health department. The campaign was launched during World Breastfeeding Week at a very successful media conference, which received coverage across Canada. INFACT staff were interviewed on programs including Canada AM, and other national media. We even did call-in shows as far afield as Las Vegas and Columbus, Ohio!

Amherst Mayor Jerry Hallee signs a World Breastfeeding Week proclamation aided by local breastfeeding babies

Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission's New Policy Gives Advocates Something to Celebrate

Nova Scotians are not left in any doubt about it. Breastfeeding is good for mothers, babies, and society at large, and society has a responsibility to accommodate breastfeeding! According to Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission's new policy (see page 6), "women should not be prevented from nursing a child in public areas, nor asked to move to another area that is more 'discreet'", and "Employers have a duty to accommodate employees who are breastfeeding".

Spurred on by this wonderful new policy announced last May, Nova Scotia's Northern Regional Health Board staged events and celebrations during World Breastfeeding Week. The week was proclaimed by the mayor, prizes were given to the first breastfed baby born that week, and media coverage varied widely and included a piece on the new provincial human rights policy in the legal column.

Breastfeeding Front and Centre in Dauphin, Manitoba

Superb media coverage in Dauphin, Manitoba kickstarted World Breastfeeding Week in this part of the country. Advocates also staged mall displays and recognized the family of the first breastfeeding baby born during World Breastfeeding Week. In addition to a comprehensive article, The Robin Review even ran a coupon for a free coffee or tea for breastfeeding mothers, redeemable at a local coffee shop!

Please keep those evaluations coming in, and don't forget, it's not too early to start planning for 2001!

Bravo everyone!