NUNAVUT
Breastfeeding mothers across the territory gathered in their own communities in support of the natural and nutritious method of feeding babies Oct. 1.

Samantha Veevee of Pangnirtung was one of 148 Nunavut moms who participated in the Quintessence Foundation's annual Global Breastfeeding Challenge. - photo courtesy of Aimo Nauyuk

"We invited an elder Mary Bettye, who had breastfed her babies except for one," said Aimo Nauyuk, a community health representative in Pangnirtung.

"She (Bettye) had a speech about why breastfeeding is important and mentioned about the seal broth. That's how they used to produce milk when breastfeeding. To have full milk, have seal-meat broth and it keeps you warm

during cold winter days."

Nauyuk organized the local gathering with Pitsiula Kilabuk, Jennie Metuq, Malcolm Ranta and Johnny Kuluguqtuq, as part of the annual Quintessence Foundation global breastfeeding challenge.

"It's for breastfeeding awareness, to celebrate breastfeeding and to provide support for mums and babies who are breastfeeding," said Melissa Sansom, territorial co-ordinator for the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program.

"Back in 2013, Nunavut won gold for having the most women breastfeeding at the same time in regions with less than 10,000 births per year," said Sansom.

That year, Nunavut had 203 mothers breastfeeding during the competition.

The worldwide results are not yet available, but Sansom says 148 mothers with 144 babies in 14 Nunavut communities participated this year.

"It's huge," she said.

Nauyuk noted that six participants attended the Pangnirtung event.

"Not a lot compared to last year, maybe because it was Saturday," she said.

The Pangnirtung team distributed items such as diapers and baby wipes to the mothers, who played dice games.

As of Oct. 13, reports the Quintessence Foundation, 3,518 babies breastfed at 143 sites in seven countries, with results pending from 48 sites.

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