During the Breastfeeding Week (October 1 to 7), a special reading session took place at De Ark kindergarten in Leuven. The Expertisecentrum Perinatale Zorg De Bakermat collaborated with the City of Leuven and the Huis van het Kind Leuven to make breastfeeding accessible to young children in a low-threshold manner.
Prof. Dr. An Eerdekens, a neonatologist and a driving force behind breastfeeding-friendly initiatives at UZ Leuven, read from the children's book Anna gaat op babybezoek (Anna visits a baby) by Kathleen Amant. This booklet, aimed at second-kindergarten children, explains in a warm and relatable way what breastfeeding entails and why it is important. "Although the health benefits of breastfeeding are well-known, positive and visible representation remains important," emphasizes prof. dr. An Eerdekens.
Lothe Ramakers, Alderman for Equal Opportunities and chair of the Huis van het Kind Leuven, underscored the importance of this initiative. "Breastfeeding Week is the ideal moment to discuss breastfeeding in a child-friendly way. This way, children learn from an early age that breastfeeding is something very natural. As a city, we want to help break the taboo surrounding breastfeeding."
Anne Dedry from vzw De Bakermat added that initiatives like this are essential for positively sensitizing the youngest generation about breastfeeding. "Reading from books on the theme helps children experience breastfeeding as something normal and familiar. We hope this public reading session will be emulated."
To keep the theme in focus even after Breastfeeding Week, De Bakermat is donating 400 copies of the books Anna gaat op babybezoek and Mama tovert melk (Mom conjures milk) to all Leuven kindergartens, childcare facilities, reception parents, play areas, library branches, and waiting rooms of general practitioners and pediatricians. The Huis van het Kind Leuven coordinated the distribution of these free books.
Alderman Lothe Ramakers concluded that the Huis van het Kind Leuven supports parents monthly with a breastfeeding parent group, where experiences can be exchanged and experts answer questions. All this aims to provide parents with well-founded information, practical tips, and a warm conversation about breastfeeding.
