October 2 marks the 10th Annual Breastfeeding Challenge

NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York and the York Region Breastfeeding Coalition, in partnership with Vaughan Mills, are marking National Breastfeeding Week by hosting the Annual Breastfeeding Challenge (York Region).

 

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated nationally from October 1 to 7 to highlight the health benefits of breastfeeding.

 

WHEN: Saturday, October 2
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Challenge begins at 11 a.m.)

 

WHERE: Vaughan Mills – Discover Court (between Entry 2 and 3)
1 Bass Pro Mills Drive (Highway 400 and Rutherford Road)
City of Vaughan

 

The Breastfeeding Challenge is a friendly celebration with a goal to have as many babies as possible breastfeeding in one location at the same time.  A celebratory cake and light snacks will be provided. 

 

Breastfeeding offers health benefits for both mother and child.  Women that breastfeed decrease their risk of breast and ovarian cancer.  They also increase post-partum weight loss.

 

 

• Do not get as sick and are sick less often from the flu, respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses when compared to formula-fed children
• Have a decreased risk of asthma, allergies, type-2 diabetes, certain childhood cancers, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and obesity
• Have enhanced cognitive development resulting in improved school performance and higher IQ scores

 

For more information on this or any other public health program, please contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or TTY 1-866-252-9933.

 

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, please visit www.york.ca

 

- 30 -

 

Media Contact: Jennifer Mitchell-Emmerson, Community and Health Services, York Region
Phone: 905 830-4444 Ext. 4016 or After-hours Cell: 905 716-9753
Email: jennifer.mitchellemmerson@york.ca