The Big Latch On

MEDIA RELEASE 28 July 2011

The Big Latch On

This year’s World Breastfeeding Week will see mothers across New Zealand attempting to break the record set last year of 1514 women breastfeeding simultaneously.

Locations are being set up across New Zealand for mothers and babies to come together and celebrate breastfeeding.

Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service has been working to support two Big Latch On venues in the Bay of Plenty. Those wanting to join the event in Tauranga, which has been organised by the Breastfeeding Advocacy and Advisory Group for Western Bay of Plenty, can come along to Bayfair Shopping Centre, opposite Farmers at Mount Maungauni at 10am on Friday 5th August.

Whakatane mothers wanting to join the event should come along to Whakatane Library at 9.15am on Friday 5th August. This Big Latch On has been organised by the Whakatane Breastfeeding Coalition. There will be a guest speaker, spot prizes and a march down the street to celebrate.

The Big Latch On will also be held at other venues across the Bay of Plenty:

Opotiki - Rendezvous Restaurant, Church Street
Otumoetai – Otumoetai Playcentre
Tauranga – Grindz Café, 50 First Avenue
Waihi – Salvation Army Hall, Seddon Street

For contact details, please visit the Women’s Health Action Trust website – www.womens-health.org.nz

This year it is anticipated that even more mothers will participate in the Big Latch On which will again break the record, which has been broken every year since 2005.

World Breastfeeding Week takes place annually in the first week of August in over 176 countries. Every year World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) sets a theme for Breastfeeding Week, this year it is “Talk to me! Breastfeeding - a 3D Experience” which highlights the importance of communication as an essential part of protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding contributes to the health and wellbeing of babies, mothers and families/whanau. Exclusive breastfeeding of babies is recommended until babies are around six months old.

For more information about the Big Latch On event visit www.toiteorapublichealth.govt.nz or www.womens-health.org.nz

ENDS

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