Last Saturday morning, mothers and babies made up almost all of the patrons of MIKSA restaurant. And while the mothers indulged in the coffees, teas and snacks provided, the babies' meals mainly consisted of the most natural of all baby foods: mother's milk. Jazzmin Carson organized Bowen Island's involvement in an international event that is coined the Quintessence Global Breastfeeding Challenge. She is pleased to report that 16 mothers showed up and six more called in to report their participation. "This was Bowen's best turnout - we had a group of 22 moms," Carson says, adding that the local community boosted the numbers of the North Shore location that recorded 77 including the Bowen mothers.
The September 29 event was part of the Quintessence Foundation's efforts to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding. To date, the foundation's website has recorded 3407 babies from 140 sites in seven countries with more numbers coming in. On Bowen Island, Carson knows most of the mothers who took part in the local gathering and added that one couple stayed at a Bowen B&B to celebrate their baby's first birthday. They heard about the event and joined in. At 10:30 a.m., mothers and babies (joined by a few fathers and siblings) gathered to get ready and "latch on at 11," Carson said.
The theme of this year's event was 'green,' reflecting the fact that breastfeeding is an environmental friendly option. The title of the event includes the word "challenge" but Carson sees it more as a celebration. She quoted an information hand-out by the Quintessence Foundation that states: "in Canada, the overall initiation rate (any breastfeeding) is 87 per cent with only 16 per cent of infants exclusively breastfed at six months." Carson, who works as a doula and has a 17-months-old, Beckett, is passionate about breastfeeding.
This is the second year, Carson has invited island mothers to participate (before that, the event was organized by the Family Place Association) and she would like to extend heart-felt thanks to all who showed up as well as Bowen Islanders who donated prizes. "Each mom receives something and I usually approach local businesses for donations," Carson said.
The response from the business community was very supportive and one of Carson's favourites was the donation by Soylent Green's owner and operator, Jenelle Jamison. "I asked her for a prize and she made a sock monkey in a day in addition to giving us a gift certificate and tea," she said. In addition to Soylent Green, Carson would like to acknowledge Phoenix, Cates Pharmacy, The Snug, Wren, Movement, the Flower Shop, Ink By Betty B, Winnie and Friends Daycare, Tammy Brockmeyer of Times Two Creations, Eleanor Deacon of Moo and the Bear, Kirsten Degner of Sew Lovely and Burle Sutton-Konopa of Made with Love on Bowen Island. MIKSA Restaurant donated a prize as well as the space, food, tea and coffee for the event. "
"I would really like to thank them all for their generosity and positive response," Carson said.
