Since 2003 the Thunder Bay Breastfeeding Coalition has participated in the Quintessence Foundation Breastfeeding Challenge during the first week of October.  The challenge is to have the most mothers breastfeeding at the same time in a set geographic area - province/territory/state and country.  The event helps to raise community awareness to promote, support and protect breastfeeding and allows breastfeeding moms to meet one another.  In 2008 the challenge went beyond North America.  The challenge has gone global!  Women from around the world are being invited to participate.

In 2010 there were over 4500 babies participating in over 216 sites in 18 countries across the globe.   In Thunder Bay our results are as follows:

2003 - 18 mothers and babies

2004 - 47 mothers and babies

2005 - 55 mothers and 56 babies

2006 - 56 mothers and 57 babies

2007 - 53 mothers and 56 babies

2008 - 36 mothers and 37 babies

2009 - 48 mothers and 49 babies

2010 - 16 mothers and 17 babies

2011 - 23 mothers and 23 babies

2012 Challenge

The 2012 Breastfeeding Challenge will be held on October 7.  This will be the 10th year that Thunder Bay has participated in the Breastfeeding Challenge hosted by the Breastfeeding Coalition.  Stay tuned for more information coming next year.  

Every single breastfeeding mother and child counts and makes a difference!