Big Thumbs Up for Big Latch On

Big Thumbs Up for Big Latch On

New mums, their babies and other family members gathered across New Zealand recently to promote breastfeeding and its health benefits during the global ‘Big Latch On’ event.

In New Zealand, 1951 women ‘latched on’ and simultaneously breastfed their babies at events held over Friday 5th and Saturday 6th August.

The event, held at numerous venues across the country, coincided with World Breastfeeding Week and aimed to normalise breastfeeding as part of everyday life. Whakatāne’s Big Latch On was a fun, relaxed occasion featuring guest speakers and spot prizes, making breastfeeding women feel welcome and supported.

Tasha Westeneng, Health Improvement Advisor at Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service, says, “There was a great turnout with 24 women attending in Whakatāne. It was a fantastic opportunity for women in the community to get together, support each other and celebrate breastfeeding and its many health benefits.”

Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service supports the Big Latch On and recommends that mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months and then continue to breastfeed along with the introduction of solid foods.

Local businesses and organisations can support the normalisation of breastfeeding all year round by becoming Breastfeeding Friendly accredited by Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service. By adopting a breastfeeding friendly policy, displaying signage, and having comfortable areas women are supported to breastfeed their babies.

Look out for the Breastfeeding Friendly signs in your community. If your business or organisation would like to become Breastfeeding Friendly accredited, call Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service on 0800 221 555 or visit www.ttophs.govt.nz/breastfeeding_friendly.

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