Breastfeeding Week 2026

WHEREAS:Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding for two years and beyond provides unique nutritional and non-nutritional long-term benefits for an infant’s growth and development; and

WHEREAS:The World Health Organization’s Global Strategy on Infant and Young Child Feeding calls on governments worldwide to create environments that enable mothers, families and other caregivers to make informed choices about feeding practices for infants and young children; and

WHEREAS:Breastfeeding is a human right, and the Ontario Human Rights Code protects a woman’s right to breastfeed in a public area without discrimination;

WHEREAS: October 1st to October 7th is recognized as National Breastfeeding Week – an initiative to raise awareness of the numerous benefits of breastfeeding, to strengthen individual, family, and community support for breastfeeding, and to further strategies that promote breastfeeding practices; and

WHEREAS: The global theme for 2026 is “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” and that encourages us to look at what is working, celebrate the successes we’ve seen, and take practical action to build even stronger systems of support for perinatal families.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That His Worship Mayor James Leduc and Members of Council proclaim October 1 to October 7, 2026 as NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING WEEK in the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury.