PARRY SOUND, ON – Residents may notice life-sized cutouts of breastfeeding mothers around the area over the next couple of weeks.
They are being scattered across the region by the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit as part of its Normalize It campaign. The idea is to make the public more acclimated with public nursing so it will, in turn, make mothers more comfortable doing it.
“The cutouts have multiple purposes – to increase breastfeeding visibility, get people talking about breastfeeding, and to show our support as a community for breastfeeding families,” public health nurse Heather Lawson said in a press release. “We’re also launching a fun and interactive social media contest to encourage families to engage with the cut-outs.”
The cutouts will make their rounds across the district from October 1st to 15th. Parry Sound area locations are Early, Whitestone Public Library, Parry Sound Friendship Centre, Parry Sound Library,
West Parry Sound Health Centre and The Museum on Tower Hill.
The health unit asked people to take pictures with the cutouts and email the photos to them. The organization will then post the pictures to its Facebook page. There will be a contest for the best photos and the top three submissions will get a $175 grocery gift card.
Photographs of people with mothers actually nursing will also be accepted, in case people can’t find a cutout. Pictures with a live mother have to be consented to.
The health unit added that the majority of Ontario families initiate breastfeeding after birth, but don’t reach their nursing goals. It listed barriers like comfortability of breastfeeding in public, returning to work or school and knowing where to get appropriate help as reasons mothers may stop nursing.
“By bringing together partners, families, communities, health care systems and workplaces we can create a culture that supports breastfeeding,” the release said. “We ask that you join us by participating in this initiative and to show your support for breastfeeding families.”
Anyone looking for more information can check out the Normalize It website.
The health unit reminded the public it offers breastfeeding support programs and resources, including nursing clinics, peer support education and telephone support.
The organization added local businesses can show their support by displaying breastfeeding stickers at their establishments. Stickers and clings are available through the Health Unit.
