Yellowknife (Sep 22/04) - Mothers and babies across Canada and the United States will compete on Oct. 2 to set the record for the most babies breastfeeding at one time.

Carmon Bessette, shown here holding her nine and a half month old son Bryce, is considering participating in this year's North American Breastfeeding Challenge on Oct. 2. - Pamela Corie/NNSL photo

Yellowknife will participate in the Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge again this year. The event has been scheduled to take place at the Family Resource Centre at 11 a.m.

"The Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge is an important event that celebrates and embraces breastfeeding in our community," said Justine Volk, Peer Councillor with the Yellowknife Breastfeeding Support Group.

"The goal is to raise community awareness of the value of breastfeeding to mothers and babies."

The winners of the national competition will be the region (province, territory or state) with the most babies and mothers participating as a percentage of the birth rate.

"Last year there were 17 participants in Yellowknife," said Volk. "It really surprised and pleased us that so many women participated. I think we were all really aware of breastfeeding that week."

Breastfeeding has many well-documented benefits, including better health for both mothers and babies. However, many women fail to meet their own breastfeeding goals and wean their children prematurely before meeting the recommended guidelines.

"Two of the biggest hurdles for mothers continues to be the lack of support and marginalization by the community," said Volk.

"We hope the higher level of awareness generated by this event will help promote breastfeeding and the benefits it offers to mothers and their babies."