top of page
Search

World Breastfeeding Week 2026

  • ONWA
  • Jul 29
  • 8 min read

Updated: Aug 12

We are honouring Indigenous women and the sacred act of nourishing our children.


ONWA is celebrating and honouring the sacred act of nourishing our children. Throughout World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7, 2026), we will be sharing cultural teachings, breastfeeding resources, and video that uplift and empower.


Highlights (click to jump to section):



Free Print-ables!


Download and print these free assets:


Breastfeeding Affirmation Deck


Word Search


Cross Word


Colouring Page



Fun Facts



Historically, Indigenous mothers breastfed their young. If they were unable to produce milk, or had any issues, other members of the community would step in and help breastfeed their children.


Nursing right after birth helps to trigger contractions that help shrink your uterus back to is normal size much faster, reducing postpartum bleeding and protecting your health.




Breastmilk will naturally change throughout the day. Nighttime milk contains high levels of melatonin and tryptophan, which naturally help soothe your baby into a deeper, more peaceful sleep.


Healthy Smile Architecture: The unique jaw movements a baby uses to nurse naturally shape their jaw and palate, which can lower their chance of needing speech therapy or braces later in childhood.




During skin-to-skin cuddling, your breasts can detect changes in your baby’s temperature. They will automatically warm up or cool down by up to two degrees to keep your baby perfectly comfortable.





Benefits to Mom

  • Breastfeeding releases the prolactin and oxytocin hormones that help mom and baby to bond, and ease feelings of stress.

  • Mothers who breastfeed are at a lower risk for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, heart disease, stroke, type-2 diabetes, and postpartum depression. The longer a woman breastfeeds, the more protection she has.

  • Breastfeeding is a cost-effective way to feed your baby and to help you save money!


Benefits to Baby


  • Babies who are breastfed are at a lower risk of cavities later in life, and it may lower the change they will need braces.

  • Babies who are breastfed are at a lower risk for ear infections, respiratory infections, stomach problems and diarrhea.

  • Babies who are breastfed have a lower risk of asthma, diabetes and childhood obesity.

  • Antibodies and live white blood cells that help your baby fight against infection are present in breast milk. When mom or baby are sick, the amount of these cells in your breast milk increases.


Self-Care for Mom’s During Breastfeeding:


During your breastfeeding journey, although you are your babies' main source of nutrition, you need to ensure you are taking care of yourself as well.


Ways to care for yourself:


Stay Hydrated – Drink plenty of fluids but try to limit sugary drinks!


Eat in a Balanced Way – Ensure you are choosing healthy food choices when you are able.


Move Your Body – Relieve stress through physical activity. Your body makes endorphins (the happy chemical) before and after you exercise.


Rest When You Can – It is easier said than done with a newborn but try to sleep as much as possible to help your body recover.


Build a Support System – Reach out to family, a friend or a worker to provide helpful advice or support.


Take Time For Yourself – Take time for yourself to go for a walk, have lunch with a friend or just nap while a trusted person watches your baby for a bit.





Traditional Medicines to Assist in Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a rite of passage in many cultures around the world.


Stinging Nettle (Tea/Infusion from leaves)

  • Beneficial for use before and during pregnancy.

  • High in Vitamins A, C, D, Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron and Sulphur.

  • Increases richness and amount of breastmilk.


Harvest: When harvesting stinging nettle, wear gloves due to stinging hair along the stems. Make sure to harvest in the late spring/early summer. They are commonly found near streams/banks.


Raspberry Leaf (Tea/Infusion from leaves)

  • Can drink before and during pregnancy.

  • Assists in the production of breastmilk.

  • Raspberries act as blood tonic and are high in vitamins A, C, B, E, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron and Phosphorus.


Harvest: They are typically found in woodland clearings. The top first year leaf growth are the best to use. Harvest in the spring/early summer before the berries start to form.


Wild Mint (Tea and/or wash from leaves)

  • Anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic.

  • Aids in muscle and menstrual cramps, as well as lowers fevers.

  • Cold tea can be used as a compress to help with aches, pains, arthritis, mastitis and fevers.


Harvest: Wild mint is found along banks of water (lakes, rivers etc.) and can also be found in meadows. Harvest throughout the summer to early fall.


Cedar (Smudge, bath, wash, and spray from leaves and stems)

Do not ingest while pregnant

  • Protective and removes negativity.

  • Supports healing from past traumas and grief.

  • Detoxifying and high in vitamin C.


Harvest: Can be harvested all year long. Make sure to clean cut with scissors/snippers to avoid exposing the tree to infection. They are typically found in wooded areas near water.




How to Safely Store Breast Milk

  • Keep milk at room temperature. Breastmilk is OK for up to 4 hours after pumping at room temperature (up to 77°F).

  • Refrigerate it. Breastmilk is OK in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

  • Place milk in the freezer. If you're not going to use refrigerated breastmilk within 4 days of pumping, freeze it right after pumping.

  • Use cooler packs. You can put breastmilk in a cooler or insulated cooler pack with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours after pumping. After 24 hours in a cooler the breastmilk should be refrigerated or frozen.


What to Use

When storing breastmilk, use breastmilk storage bags, which are made for freezing human milk. You can also use clean glass or hard BPA-free plastic bottles with tight-fitting lids. Do not use disposable bottle liners or other plastic bags to store breastmilk.


Tips for Freezing Milk

  • Clearly label milk containers with the date the milk was expressed. Include your child's name if you are giving the milk to a childcare provider.

  • Freeze in small amounts (2 to 4 ounces, or ¼ to ½ cups) for later feedings.

  • Leave an inch or so from the milk to the top of the container, because it will get bigger when freezing.

  • Store milk in the back of the freezer, not on the shelf of the freezer door, so that it doesn't start to thaw out.


Tips for Thawing/ Warming Breast Milk

  • Thaw the oldest breastmilk first.

  • Thaw the bottle or bag of frozen milk by putting it in the refrigerator overnight.


If you decide to warm the breastmilk:

  • Hold it under warm, not hot, running water, or set it in a container of water that is warm, not hot.

  • Never put a bottle or bag of breastmilk in the microwave. Microwaving creates hot spots that could burn your baby and damage the milk.

  • Test the temperature before feeding it to your baby by dropping some on your wrist. The milk should feel warm, not hot.

  • Use breastmilk within 24 hours of thawing it in the refrigerator.

  • Once breastmilk is thawed, use it within 2 hours. If you have any leftover milk, be sure to throw it out within 2 hours.

  • Do not refreeze breastmilk after it has been thawed.




Soon after your baby's birth, your nipples may be sensitive or tender as they adjust to breastfeeding. Here are some causes of nipple pain and solutions.


Baby's latch and positioning: Improper latch-on occurs when baby does not grasp enough breast tissue or his tongue is positioned improperly, causing pain and discomfort.


If it feels painful, you can unlatch your baby by slipping a finger in the corner of her mouth to break the suction. Then you can try latching again. Try improving the latch by bringing your baby’s chin deeply onto your breast. Or you could gently pull down on the baby’s chin to uncurl the lower lip.


Fungal Infection: If your nipple itches, burns, cracks, or is pink or flaky, or you have shooting pain deep in your breast between feedings, you may have a fungal (yeast) infection called thrush. This infection can also cause white spots on your baby's cheeks, tongue, and gums.


If you think you have thrush, use only water to rinse your nipples after nursing. Then see your doctor or your baby's doctor right away. Both you and your baby will need to be treated for thrush with antibiotics.


Milk Blister: A milk blister, or bleb, is a smooth, shiny, white dot on your nipple.


Warm washcloth compresses, massaging and expressing some milk may help relieve it. If the blister doesn't go away, contact your doctor or midwife.


Sore, cracked, or bleeding nipples: It is normal for your breasts to become more sensitive in the first weeks after you have given birth. They may sting, burn, ache, or feel tender. Over time, the discomfort and sensitivity should resolve.


Lanolin Ointment: Apply to nipples after breast-feeding. It doesn’t need to be removed before nursing your baby.


Nipple Shield: Wearing a shield could help your nipples heal and allow continued breastfeeding.


Warm Compress: Applying a warm compress (towel or washcloth) will aid to reduce breast pain and will also help to reduce nipple pain or swelling.




D-Mer is a breastfeeding challenge; this condition is characterized by a brief but intense emotional reaction that occurs immediately before or during a milk let down. The Parent may experience feelings such as sadness, anxiety, irritability, or unease that passes once the milk begins to flow. D-MER is linked to hormonal changes during lactation and is not caused by a parent's thoughts, feeling or desire to breastfeed.


For many Parents D-MER improves as breastfeeding becomes established, and milk supply regulates, often within the first few weeks or months. For other symptoms may continue throughout their breastfeeding journey but typically resolve once breastfeeding or pumping ends.


Some things that may help are:

  • Prioritizing rest whenever possible

  • Stay hydrated and eat regular, nourishing meals

  • Practice deep breathing, mindfulness or other relaxation techniques during a feed.

  • Reach out for support from family, friends, lactation consultants or healthcare providers.




Mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes involves an infection. The inflammation results in breast pain, swelling, warmth and redness. People experiencing mastitis may also have fever and chills. Mastitis most commonly affects people who are breast-feeding (lactation mastitis).


Mastitis in breastfeeding usually happens when a clogged milk duct doesn't let milk fully drain from the breast or breaks in the skin of the nipple.


Symptoms can include engorgement, breast pain (mastalgia) or burning sensation that worsens when your baby nurses, hard lumps on your breast, red marks on your breast, flu-like symptoms including fever and chills is mastitis infection occurs.


Some at home remedies include using an ice pack, pain relievers, lymphatic drainage, reverse pressure softening and wearing a supportive bra.



Resources for Lactation Support


In Thunder Bay

  • Ontario Native Women’s Association's Indigenous Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program: 1-800-667-0816

  • Thunder Bay District Health Unit's Lactation Consultants: 807-625-5900

  • Maternity Centre's Lactation Consultants: 807-684-6228

  • Norwest Community Health Centres: 807-626-7858

  • Breastfeeding Medicine – Dr. Moira Haggarty: 807-346-1240


In Hamilton


In Kenora


In Ottawa

In Greenstone

In Sioux Lookout


In Napanee


In Ontario


Most midwives, family doctors and nurse practitioners are also able to assist you with your breastfeeding journey!

 
 
bottom of page