Proclamation – National Breastfeeding Week – October 1-7, 2024

Please be advised that at it’s meeting on September 18, 2024, Council passed the following resolution:

Proclamation – National Breastfeeding Week – October 1-7, 2024

WHEREAS exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding for two years and beyond provides unique nutritional and non-nutritional long-term benefits for an infant’s growth and development; and

WHEREAS the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy on Infant and Young Child Feeding calls on governments worldwide to create environments that enable mothers, families and other caregivers to make informed choices about feeding practices for infants and young children; and

WHEREAS breastfeeding is a human right and the Ontario Human Rights Code protects a woman’s right to breastfeed in a public area without discrimination; and

WHEREAS October 1st -7^th is recognized as National Breastfeeding Week – an initiative to raise awareness of the numerous benefits of breastfeeding; to strengthen individual, family, and community support for breastfeeding and to further strategies that promote breastfeeding practices; and

WHEREAS the theme for National Breastfeeding Week 2024 is Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding. The theme is inclusive of all parents and the focus is on supporting both parents to be empowered to realize their breastfeeding goals. Breastfeeding is the foundation of lifelong good health for babies and mothers. In Simcoe County over 90% of families choose to breastfeed their babies. With the support of partners, family, friends, health care providers, employers and communities we hope to support a breastfeeding-friendly culture where breastfeeding is recognized as the natural way to feed infants and young children.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Corporation of the Township of Essa hereby proclaims October 1-7^th, 2024 as “National Breastfeeding Week” in the Township of Essa.

---Carried----