An international challenge brought mothers together in Regina to do one of the most-natural things they can do for their babies.
The Global Breastfeeding Challenge put on by the Quintessence Foundation saw a few dozen mothers come together Saturday at Regina’s Cornwall Centre – one of 168 registerred challenge sites.
Darby Malakoff admitted she was a little nervous to have her five-month-old daughter Talia latch on at the mall.
“When I first had Talia, I was kind of scared about breast feeding in public, like, I’ve never really done it in a mall. But I just think that we’re going to feed our babies and if we have to do it in public, then we have to do it.”
Darby Malakoff with her daughter Talia.
Community health nurse Raylene Whitt said it was important for mothers to come together for the challenge to show each other support.
“With our theme this year – it takes a team – we’re going to support them through that journey.”
Whitt said whether a mothers choses to breastfeed or not, they need to feel comfortable to do what they need to do to take care of their baby. A stigma continues regarding mothers breastfeeding in public, which Whitt says makes Saturday’s challenge so important.
“I think it’s just to see each other and support each other and say, ‘way to go, mom.'”
For Malakoff, she says people who see mothers like her feeding in public have a choice, too.
“If you don’t like it, don’t look.”