As part of activities to commemorate Breastfeeding Awareness Month in August, the Ti Rocher Castries Wellness Centre recently hosted a community breastfeeding workshop under the theme: “Prioritize Breastfeeding, Create Sustainable Support Systems.”

The workshop brought together health professionals, families, and first-time parents for an interactive session aimed at deepening their understanding of the benefits of breastfeeding and strengthening support available to mothers. Participants benefitted from presentations and live demonstrations by a Health Educator, Community Health Nurse, Midwife, and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, ensuringacomprehensive approach to maternal and child health.

Key topics included the health and developmental benefits of breastfeeding, guidance onproperlatching techniques, and the importance of creating supportive environments for mothers bothat home and in the wider community.

Community Health Nurse Alicia Baptiste highlighted the importance of providing mothers withspaces to connect and share experiences.“As a midwife and my experience with mothers, I knowmany of the mothers go through a dif icult time with breastfeeding and most times they arealone. So we felt it was necessary to raise the awareness and bring them together with persons whoexperience the same, so they have shared experiences and can learn from it.”

Registered Nurse and Midwife at the Owen King EU Hospital, Jillian John, reinforced the messagethat “breast is best.” “Breast milk comes with everything that baby needs it’s already available. With formula, you have to think about buying it, preparing it correctly, sterilizing bottles, andmore. We also have to consider workplaces, are they baby-friendly? Are they allowingmotherstime to express? We encourage mothers to breastfeed exclusively for six months, but wealsoneed to look at whether the current support systems truly give mothers enough time.”

First-time mother Andreal Valcin said she found the workshop both informative and reassuring. “At the workshop we learnt the dif erent benefits of breastfeeding the bonding, the preventionofdiseases, even the possibility of reducing postpartum depression. For me, as a first-time mom, it was important. But I must say, everybody’s experience is dif erent, and that shouldbeunderstood.”

Fathers were also encouraged to play an active role in the breastfeeding journey. Participant GreggValcin stressed the importance of male involvement. “I find as a father it was fittingtoaccompany my wife. When we go home, it’s the two of us. Maybe she might not hear something, and I have my own questions too. More fathers should be present to give their partner or their wife more support.”

The Ti Rocher Castries Wellness Centre also extended heartfelt gratitude to all who contributedtothe success of the breastfeeding workshop. Special thanks were given to corporate partners suchasMassy Stores and Fly Boys by Craft Creations plus Kids, as well as individual supporters includingEthel Felicien, Shirlan Edward, Tessa Bernard, Aeisha Vitalis, Jillian John, Alicia St. Juste, andChanta Alexander. Their support played a vital role in creating a meaningful and empoweringexperience for mothers and families within the community.