What Is The "Big Latch-On"? What Is World Breastfeeding Week?

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 07 Aug 2011 - 10:00 PDT window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId: 'aa16a4bf93f23f07eb33109d5f1134d3', status: true, cookie: true, xfbml: true, channelUrl: 'http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/scripts/facebooklike.html'}); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.async = true; e.src = document.location.protocol + '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js'; document.getElementById('fb-root').appendChild(e); }()); email to a friend printer friendly opinions
4 stars 4 and a half stars
The Big Latch-On is a simultaneous breastfeeding event, when groups of nursing mothers come together at specific venues around the world. The event lasts for one minute and the total number of participants is added up by witnesses to see whether a new record can be broken.

The last event took place yesterday, August 6th, 2011, at various locations throughout the world. The organizers will soon report whether a new record has been broken.

In 2002, in Berkeley, California, 1,130 nursing mothers breastfed their babies simultaneously - this is the first recorded case for a single venue. In 2006 in the Philippines, 3,541 participating mothers set the international record for one location. Since then there have been several events, some in one location and others with several venues working in unison.

On 2nd May, 2007, the Philippines set another record for breastfeeding simultaneously at several locations - at 295 sites, a total of 15,128 mothers breastfed their babies at the same time.

9,826 mothers nursed their babies at 325 sites in 16 different countries in October, 2010.

What is currently known as The Big Latch-On started in New Zealand in 2005 by the Women's Health Action. The event has caught on and every year a growing number of mothers get together to breastfeed in public. Joanne Edward introduced The Big Latch-On to Portland, Oregon, USA in 2010 as a celebration for World Breastfeeding Week.

The aim is a simple one - to promote breastfeeding as the primary way to feed a baby.

According to The Big Latch-On website:

"We all know how important breastfeeding is and this way we can show everyone just how much we all value breastfeeding and support all mamas as they raise the next generation. Plus it's a really good way to spend time with other mothers and have a lot of fun, maybe a coffee and some cake as well!"

Although one large central location for the 2011 event has been suggested by some people, the organizers felt that the benefits of several smaller ones outweigh the disadvantges. These include: More mothers can celebrate the event close to home.If the event occurs at several places, a larger number of people will be educated about the advantages of breastfeeding.Local events mean that mothers can meet other mothers in their areas, and communities grow.It is important to get local businesses to support breastfeeding mothers. More of them can be influenced if events occur in multiple locations.The organizers write:

"The overall aim of Big Latch On is raising awareness of breastfeeding and making it a normal part of the day-to-day life at a local community level."

According to WHO (World Health Organization) and UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund):

"World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August in more than 120 countries to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration made by WHO and UNICEF policy-makers in August 1990 to protect, promote and support breastfeeding"

Reasons for not breastfeeding are usually linked to myths. For example, some mothers think it is not very popular today. In most countries the majority of mothers still breastfeed their babies - in the UK 78% breastfeed, according to the National Health Service (NHS).

Others may wonder whether their breasts will sag if they breastfeed. Sagging breasts are caused by the ageing process and to a certain extent losing and putting on weight - it has nothing at all to do with breastfeeding.

Formula milk is not basically the same as breast milk. Formula milk does not have antibodies, living cells, hormones and enzymes that protect the baby from infections and diseases later on in life, breast milk does.

Below are some of the advantages of breast milk: Human breast milk is a naturally designed food for babies.Breast milk protects the baby from diseases and infections.Breastfed babies have less diarrhea, vomiting, chest and ear infections, hospitalizations, constipation, risk of developing diabetes type 2 later in life, risk of developing eczema.Breastfeeding mothers have a lower risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, it uses up 500 calories per day, the mother saves money, and it delays the return of her menstrual periods.Breastfeeding helps build a strong mother-baby bond.Breast milk is free.The mother can feed the baby at will, with no need for specialized equipment and bags, etc.It is always at just the right temperature.Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.

posted by Eric Jones on 7 Aug 2011 at 10:42 am

This is truly about equality in supposedly free societies. If it is legal for one gender to bare their chest in public spaces it should be legal for the other.
Truthfully I don't want to watch you breastfeed your baby, but that is because I hate your children and want them away from me. I do support your right to breastfeed and indeed bare your chest in any fashion you see fit.

| post followup | alert a moderator |

posted by Tia C. on 7 Aug 2011 at 11:18 am

I am a mother of five and breastfed all of my children. I started at the age of 17 and never knew there was a breastfeeding awareness week. I know now and I think its a great thing.

| post followup | alert a moderator |

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)

Contact Our News Editors

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:

View the original article here

FREE