Mothers across Canada nursed their babies in parks, libraries,
health centers in major cities on Saturday, hoping to create a more
tolerant society toward breastfeeding in the public.
The annual event, named "Quintessence breastfeeding challenge"
and organized by "Quintessence Foundation," was meant to send the
message that mothers should be able to breastfeed wherever
necessary rather than feeling forced to look for the nearest
washroom stall, said organizer Frances Jones at one of the largest
meetings in Winnipeg, capital city of central Manitoba
Province.
"I've never been in a bathroom where I'd want to eat lunch,
particularly," said Jones, pointing out the fact that women feel
pressure to nurse in washrooms because they are sometimes met with
negative glances and rude comments.
Many people oppose public breastfeeding, but have no problem
with scantily-clad women in beer ads, "We're very confused about
form versus function when it comes to the human breast," Jones said
ironically.
Newly-elected Manitoba lawmaker Erin Selby joined other mothers
with her triplets, saying she wanted to show support for
others.
"I know how difficult it can be doing it and continuing with
it," she said.
The annual event began seven years ago in British Columbia. Last
year, 4,724 mothers joined together at 155 sites across Canada and
a handful in the United States for the event.
The movement, nicknamed "Latch on," has even given birth to a
new term -- "lactivists," which refer to advocates for a woman's
right to nurse wherever she needs to.
On Saturday, similar gatherings took place in Toronto, Edmonton,
Vancouver, Montreal and some cities in the United States.
Hundreds of mothers and babies met at Toronto's North York Civic
Center to compete for a record of most babies breastfeeding at one
time.
In Vancouver, 167 mothers gathered at a mall, a community hall
and two hospitals for the challenge.
On the Atlantic coast, mothers met at a park outside the Halifax
Public Library.
Meanwhile, experts are calling for government help for mothers
and babies having difficulties in breastfeeding.
"Women are not getting the support they need to breastfeed. They
are quitting when they don't have to," said Jack Newman, who runs a
breast clinic in Toronto.
(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2007)