Society in Canada and here in British Columbia has mostly moved beyond the time when a nursing mother at a mall or in a restaurant would be asked to cover up or leave.

But not always; breastfeeding out in the community sometimes isn't easy nor is it universally accepted, yet.

The theme for this year's worldwide Breastfeeding Challenge on Oct. 2 is focused on a World Health Organization/UNICEF document that outlines 10 steps communities and healthcare centres can take to support women with their breastfeeding goals.

The key step, according to La Leche League Chilliwack, is simply to welcome mothers to breastfeed anytime and anywhere.

So how does Chilliwack rate as a community open to breastfeeding in public?

Naturopathic doctor Joanne Menard espouses the benefits of breastfeeding to her patients, both for baby and mother. And as a new mother herself, she has put her words into practice, breastfeeding her baby in restaurants, on planes, on ferries and even on local hiking trails.

"I haven't had any issues nursing my baby in Chilliwack," Menard said. "But I think in general the public needs to be informed that breastfeeding an older baby is healthy and normal. The World Health Organization recommends nursing your baby until at least two years of age and many people, including mothers, are still not aware of that."

As for the health benefits, nothing compares to mother's milk.

"Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for your baby," she said. "Breast milk has precisely what your baby needs when they need it. It carries the precise amount of protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and antibodies that a baby needs. Formula doesn't compare, and breastfeeding develops the mother-infant or mother-toddler bond."

Menard is not only a guest speaker at the breastfeeding challenge at Heritage Park on Oct. 2 at 11 a.m. but this year she will be a participant as well.

The La Leche League Chilliwack organizers hope more than 100 moms will latch on and set the record for most children breastfeeding at one time.

In 2009, 69 moms had their babies latch on (some with more than one at a time), which ranked the Chilliwack event seventh in the world, one spot behind Paris, France, and one above the North Shore. Victoria. was number one in the world in 2009 with 146 breastfeeding babies.

"We are excited for this year's event and hope to have over 100 moms joining in on the challenge," said Michelle Dennill, La Leche League Leader and organizer of this year's event.

On Saturday at 11 a.m. mothers and children at sites across Canada, the United States and other countries will compete to set the record for the most children breastfeeding at one time. This year, La Leche League Chilliwack will host the event at Chilliwack Heritage Park coinciding with the L'il Rascals Kids Swapmeet. Registration begins at 10 a.m. All moms are asked to come early to register and enjoy the special guest speakers and prizes. Participants are eligible to win door prizes including spa packages, baby accessories and more. There are more than $1,000 in prizes to be won.

Chilliwack's event is organized by La Leche League Chilliwack, a mother-to-mother support group that provides monthly meetings at Chilliwack Family Place. For more information contact Michelle Dennill at 604-824-1732 or visit the website www.babyfriendly.ca.