NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING WEEK

September 2022

“Nurturing our children is our shared ” responsibility.

Message from the Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, OD, MP

Minister of State in the Ministry of Health & Wellness

I give wholehearted support to this year’s Nationcal Breastfeeding Week under the theme, “Step up for Breastfeeding: Support and Educate”.

Breastfeeding is a critical component of good nutrition. Infants take their first steps toward a nutritious lifestyle through breastfeeding. This is the channel through which they develop healthy bodies and bright minds that they need in order to become productive members of society. It should also be noted that breastfeeding stimulates some lasting health benefits for mothers.

At the Ministry of Health and Wellness, our stance on breastfeeding is that it require a whole-of-society approach — family, policymakers and employers to name a few. We recognise too that our national breastfeeding rates are lower than they should be – with less than half of all infants being exclusively breastfed at six (6) months. It is our commitment to reinforce this level of support across the entire healthcare system in order to constantly improve the appropriate environments for mothers to breastfeed.

It is critical, that breastfeeding is supported by all of society. Pregnant women and mothers of newborns, I urge you to see as critical to nation building your role as you breastfeed. Fathers, brothers and men all, you are important stakeholders in fostering an environment that supports and sustains breastfeeding.

Nurturing our children is our shared responsibility. Let’s pool all our efforts to improve and safeguard breastfeeding as a means of providing them with optimal nutrition. Thank you.