Mums encouraged to enter photo competition

Canterbury breastfeeding mums encouraged to enter photo competition

Canterbury mums are being encouraged to make breastfeeding part of the scenery this summer.

In a new competition, mums can submit a photo or photos of themselves breastfeeding outside the home.

Canterbury District Health Board Healthy Eating Health Action portfolio manager Kim Sinclair says the competition, which is part of the Ministry of Health’s national breastfeeding education campaign, is about showing that breastfeeding in public is completely natural.

“This is an opportunity for mums to support and celebrate breastfeeding, and showcase Canterbury at the same time.

“You could be at the New Brighton pier, the Square, rural town landmarks – anywhere you would normally breastfeed your baby when out and about.” She says breastfeeding gives babies a great start in life.

“It helps them develop physically and emotionally, helps build immunity, and breast milk can give babies a perfect blend of nutrients.

“It’s best for mum too. It reduces the risk of some breast cancers, and may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, osteoporosis and hip fractures later in life.”

For the purposes of the competition, New Zealand has been divided into eight regions - Northland, Auckland, Upper Central North Island, Lower Central North Island, Wellington, Upper South Island, Canterbury/South Canterbury, Otago/Southland.

The competition runs until 12 February 2010. There will be first and second prize winners for each of the eight regions, and winners will be selected by public vote. For more information and to enter or vote, see www.breastfeedingnzphotos.org.nz.

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