Cyprus shuns breastfeeding taboos in record attempt

NICOSIA (Reuters) - At 8 a.m. British time, the sound of babies wailing stopped abruptly as more than 50 infants latched onto their mothers' breasts in Cyprus's latest attempt to drum up popularity for breastfeeding.

With pacifiers, baby bottles and milk formula left at the door, children from six days to eighteen months old suckled for one minute early on Wednesday as part of a 19-country attempt to set a new synchronised breastfeeding record.

Countries from Ireland to Australia are involved.

The present record is 22,000 mums simultaneously breastfeeding in the Philippines in 2006.

Organisers of the Cypriot event, held inside a small concert hall in Nicosia, said the east Mediterranean island lagged behind other countries in breastfeeding, and Wednesday's attempt was partly aimed at coaxing more women back to it.

"This is the best thing a mother can offer her child," said American Jennifer Awwad, 29, as she cradled six-day-old Nicola in her arms. "It has been a bit difficult, mothers need a lot of support, but once he gets latched on it's great."

Doctors recommend breastfeeding infants for at least the first six months of their lives, citing evidence that this helps protect against infections and provides a balanced diet.

Cypriot mothers said the pressures of modern life and the work environment were not conducive to breastfeeding.

"Nobody really supports breastfeeding, maternity leave is very short and it is difficult to do it if you are a working mother," said Iliana Kanara as she breastfed her son, Ioannis.