World Breastfeeding Week – The Big Latch On Event {Local Life}

This week (August 1-7) is the 20th Annual World Breastfeeding Week and here, on And Then There Were 4…, I will be sharing my experiences with breastfeeding as well as posting some really awesome reviews and giveaways for you, all in support of nursing your baby!

I have had the great blessing to nurse all three of my kiddos and have absolutely loved it each time! I know that breastfeeding is not all sunshine and rainbows, even for those of us who are able to breastfeed there are usually problems that arise, but I believe that the pros heavily outweigh any of the issues that we might face.

To celebrate this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, I will be taking all 3 of my kids to our local Big Latch On Event at Mother’s Haven! If you are not in North Idaho, you can still participate in your local event! With over 550 different locations and 20+ countries, there is hopfully one near you! (Check out all the locations HERE)

What is the Big Latch On?

Groups of breastfeeding women coming together at registered locations around the world to all latch on their child at a set time. All the breastfeeding women and children are latched on for one minute at the set time and are counted by the witnesses. The numbers are added up and we see if we can beat previous Big Latch On records or maybe even the world record!

The Big Latch On supports communities with identifying and growing opportunities to provide ongoing breastfeeding support and promotion.

The key to the Big Latch On’s success is allowing communities to hold their Big Latch On events, empowering them to create an event that relates to the people of their community, while still taking part in a worldwide event.

While Women’s Health Action/Big Latch On provides the concept, key resources and overarching co-ordination, communities hold their own Big Latch On events. One of the biggest delights of co-ordinating the Big Latch On each year is the feedback we get about the amazing diversity of ways in which the Big Latch On is celebrated and the follow on activities such as friendships formed and breastfeeding support groups established.

Aims of the Big Latch On

• Support for communities to identify and grow opportunities to provide ongoing breastfeeding support and promotion.
• Raise awareness of breastfeeding support and knowledge available in communities.
• Help communities positively support breastfeeding in public places.
• Make breastfeeding a normal part of the day-to-day life at a local community level.
• Increase support for women who breastfeed – women are supported by their partners, family and the breastfeeding knowledge that is embedded in their communities.
• Communities have the resources to advocate for coordinated appropriate and accessible breastfeeding support services.

I can’t wait to participate in this amazing event to learn more about how my local breastfeeding coalition is raising support and awareness and meet other local breastfeeding mamas and babies!

Did you know that Idaho is one of the only two states that has not yet created laws protecting breastfeeding women?! You can help by signing this petition and hopefully we can change that!

Stand up for breastfeeding and join your local moms at the Big Latch On Event in your area!

Is there an location in your area? Will you be going?