Photo: Mom takes part in breastfeeding challenge to spread the word

Cambridge Bay mom Kendall Aknavagak holds nine-month-old Tearza Oct. 3 at this western Nunavut community’s breastfeeding challenge held during National Breastfeeding Week Oct. 1 to Oct. 7. About six in 10 Nunavut women breastfeed their babies over some period of time, according to the Inuit Child Health Survey for Nunavut. But only one in three babies were exclusively breast-fed for the first six months, the period recommended by the World Health Organization. Research shows that breast-fed children enjoy stronger brain development, stronger immune systems and are less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes and other ailments later in life. Similar breastfeeding challenges occurred in other Nunavut communities during National Breastfeeding Week as a way to encourage breastfeeding. (PHOTO BY JANE GEORGE)