 The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs has commenced its breastfeeding awareness campaign with a workshop held at the Cicero Wellness Center catering to pregnant women and nursing mothers. The participants of this workshop were from the communities of Tiroshi castries, Bexar, Cicero and Entrypo. The breastfeeding workshop was aimed at educating and empowering pregnant women and nursing mothers on the benefits of breastfeeding the babies. Formerly life educator in the Bureau of Health Education, Shilan Edward says, this activity is necessary given that the Ministry is committed to improving breastfeeding levels in country. The reason we are having the workshop is to encourage persons or educate persons on the importance of breastfeeding. As we a ministry realize our numbers for breastfeeding are very low, persons start breastfeeding when the babies are born and realize that they stop before the first six months. So we are trying to educate them on the importance, we are supporting them which is part of the theme to let them know that we are supporting them right through the process from zero to six months and even beyond, two years old. Public Health Nursing Supervisor Bernadette Felix Regis says, the Ministry supports exclusive breastfeeding for infants up to six months, especially given the benefits to a child's development and health. Therefore pregnant women and nursing mothers are encouraged to support this movement. Women who are exclusively breastfed, they perform well with numbers, they do well in mathematics and generally they tend to fall sick less. So there are several benefits for both mother and baby when they breastfeed and they breastfeed exclusively. And when we speak about exclusive breastfeeding, we speak about only breast milk for at least six months. The World Health Organization has indicated that exclusive breastfeeding goes up to six months, no water, no formula, nothing else except breast milk. The only thing the baby is allowed to take during that time is medication. Edward also spoke on the benefits of breastfeeding to the mother and the child. Breastfeeding is important for mother as the mother, when she breastfeeds, her womb goes back into place. So it goes back to the normal size when she's breastfeeding and it contracts and it goes back to its normal size. Also the mother, breastfeeding is economical. The mother can save money during that time when she's breastfeeding because she doesn't have to buy any formula. For child, it protects the child from infection. It also protects the child from chronic non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hyper-pressure, obesity. It is the best nutrition for the baby as it's the best start that the baby needs. The breastfeeding workshop entailed presentations on the benefits of breastfeeding, proper latching of the breast, and a Lamar's session. In the coming weeks, the Ministry of Health will be undertaking breastfeeding awareness workshops in other communities around the island. Reporting from the Communications Unit of the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs, I am Fennel Neptune.