THE Isle of Man is to host its first World Walk for Breastfeeding to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week.
Thousands of breastfeeding families, their supporters, and health care providers around the world will participate in the annual La Leche League International World Walk for Breastfeeding being held in 16 countries around the world.
World Breastfe
eding Week, proclaimed by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) in conjunction with the World Health Organization and UNICEF, will take place between August 1 and 7.
The Isle of Man World Walk for Breastfeeding will take place on Friday, July 31, on Douglas Promenades starting opposite the Jaks pub at 10.30am.
Participants will walk to the Manx Electric Railway and back.
Walkers will raise funds to assist breastfeeding education programmes worldwide and make communities aware of the unique role of breastfeeding in improving world health and preserving the environment.
The Island's new LLL group was set up in May for expectant mothers to ask questions, voice concerns and share the benefits of breastfeeding.
It offers women telephone counselling, email support, leaflets, access to a medical advisory panel and a library.
The group's leader Katie Davies said: 'All the family are welcome, not just mums. So bring along the babies, older siblings on bikes or foot.
'Let's all have a lovely time together while raising awareness of breastfeeding on the Island, as well as raising funds for our new Island LLL group.'
She said: 'We are not going to do the walk as a sponsored event but instead we invite the walkers to make a donation, however big or small. Some walkers will carry buckets to which passers-by can make donations.
'And after our exertions all walkers are invited to stay and socialise in the Prom Park and bring and share cakes, as a reward for our hard work.'
La Leche League was founded in 1956 by seven mothers and given a Spanish name because the word 'breast' was socially unacceptable then.
Today it is dedicated to providing education, information and 'mother-to-mother' support to women who want to breastfeed.
Research indicates breastmilk gives babies all the nutrients they need for the first six months of life and helps protect them from infection and diseases such as gastro-intestinal infections, ear infections, urine infections, eczema and obesity in later childhood.
And it is believed mothers benefit from breastfeeding too because it can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, breast cancer and weak bones later in life.
For more information please contact Katie on 619836.
www.llli.org/walk