PEI Breastfeeding Coalition using videos to promote breastfeeding

The PEI Breastfeeding Coalition wants toencourage more women to try breastfeeding,launching a video campaign this week on social and traditional media highlighting Island women who have embraced it.

Nationally 89 per cent of women trybreastfeeding.On P.E.I., it's80 per cent, and that numberdropsdramatically after babies are just a month old.

"I thought I would just do it minimally, but once I started and it worked, it's the best part of parenthood so far so it's something I really believe in," said MilleClarkes,whoseson Henrywas born 16 months ago.

That's why the award-winning filmmaker has taken the opportunity to work with the coalition to create two videos on the subject.

"Certainly I've heard stories where people have been approached or told not to and it's just the most natural thing," saidClarkes, adding "I do feel the tide is turning."

'That's what our boobs are for'

In one of the videos, entitled Let'sTalk about Breastfeeding, new parents bounce their baby andan expectant mother laughs and cradles her bump while voices say "I just say don't give up, cause you body's doing something it's never done before," and "It's totally normal, natural it's the best thing to do!" Another woman says with a smile to the camera: "That's what our boobs are for!"

Coalition chair Rosemary Drakehopes the videos will encourage more womento breastfeed.

"The more people see these videos on social media, the more they'll start thinking about oh, perhaps I could breastfeed, perhaps there is somebody out there that wouldn't mind giving me a hand,"said Drake.

The Department of Health and Wellness gave the groupjust under $5,000to create the awareness campaign.

The videos are under wraps until a public screeingWednesday at the Guild, after which the coalitionwill sharethem on social media.

"I hope that watching these videos they'll see the real faces of real people that live here on PEI that have done it, or are doing it, that they'll be able to relate to that, and get a little courage and encouragement that they need," said Clarkes.