It's World Breastfeeding Week - when the importance of mother's milk is underscored and celebrated.
In Belize that means turning breastfeeding into art - beautiful portraits to celebrate that most natural and elemental connection between mother and child.
It opens at the Bliss Center this evening and we got a preview from the organizers today:
Penny Casasola, Advanced Lactation Consultant
"The title of this exhibit is 'Latched' because it is important to understand that the baby goes to the mother's breast, latches on and has access to food, nutrients, immunity, everything that the baby needs for 6 months and then you give the baby regular food that you eat and specially prepared and continue breast feeding for another 2 years or more. When the latch happens, it is the ideal thing that you want when a baby makes a move and crawls up to the mother's breast at birth and latches on."
Briheda Haylock, Artist
"So, Miss Penny came to me with a vision that she wants to bring more awareness to breast feeding but listening to her, it's more of a positive perspective. We know there's a lot of discrimination and there is more work that needs to be done for parents."
Penny Casasola, Advanced Lactation Consultant
"So, this exhibit is, I think, one of the best ways of getting the message across and inviting the public to come, see and ask questions. Call us and challenge us so that we can prove the point."
Fiona Welch, Breastfeeding Mother
"Well I mean it just makes me excited like, I am glad there is a lot more mothers breast feeding. It makes me feel like a lot more families are taking the picture and the idea of what family is. Throughout breastfeeding, you'll see his excitement for wanting the milk at the breast, he'll go 'ha, ha, ha' and just be looking for the milk. The first couple weeks even, he would show you that he just wants his mommy as well, he would be crying and crying no matter if he goes to someone else. All the baby wants is love, care and the baby doesn't know anything about the world so we're here to advocate for the baby and that's the bond that we create with each other."
Briheda Haylock, Artist
"So, this is what the show is about, a more positive perspective talking about breast feeding."
The exhibit is named, "Latched: A Society Supporting Breastfeeding."
