Big Latch On Turns Five

Media Release

Big Latch On Turns Five

What do cinema’s at Sylvia Park and in Levin; the Southern Cross bar, the Wall Street Mall , the combined clubs of Marlborough ; the Market Cross B&B in Karamea have in common with churches, Plunket rooms, Birthing Units, libraries and cafes across the country? They are just a few of the more than 60 venues already registered and ready to celebrate the fifth birthday of the ’ Big Latch On ‘ on Friday the 7th August. All around the country, poster girl Susannah with her twins - Seren and Gruffudd – are inviting women to join them for this years Big Latch On.

Every year for the last five years, during World Breastfeeding Week (August 1st to August 7th) , Women’s Health Action has hosted the ‘Big Latch On’ for communities across the country in an attempt to break the record for women simultaneously breastfeeding. 654 mothers joined the first BLO in 2005 and by 2007, almost 1000 mothers participated. Last year saw 1122 mothers all taking part and New Zealand won a gold medal for participation from the World Alliance of Breastfeeding Action. (WABA)

‘Women’s Health Action was delighted with last years ‘ gold medal’ says Director Jo Fitzpatrick. “It was recognition and a tribute to all those women throughout New Zealand who have made this event their own in communities from North Cape to Bluff.”

Women’s Health Action provides national co-ordination for the event, which is organised by mothers and their supporters throughout the country. ‘ We encourage mothers wherever they are to get involved’ says Jo Fitzpatrick ‘ And they do. One year, we even had a breastfeeding mother high in the sky, flying Air New Zealand to Wellington who registered and was counted.’

This year the Auckland Breastfeeding network is sponsoring a regionwide event at the Hoyts Cinema complex in Sylvia Park. Breastfeeding women from all over Auckland will share the fun – which includes gift packs, spot prizes and a free viewing of a new release movie.

Women’s Health Action thinks this years’ Big Latch On will be both special and another record breaker. This time last year there were about 50 venues registered – so we’re already ahead of the game!

Details of venues near you and on-line registration is available at: http://www.womens-health.org.nz/

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