On the 1 – 7 of August every year, to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and the need for global support, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action organises World Breastfeeding Week. World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated in 120 countries and marks the signing of the WHO/UNICEF document Innocenti Declaration, which lists the benefits of breastfeeding, plus global and governmental goals.
To mark this occasion, thousands of breastfeeding women and their babies/children across the world will gather in their own communities on August 2 and 3 to take part in the Big Latch On, a synchronized breastfeeding event in multiple locations.
University Healthcare Jefferson Medical Center will hold its 3rd annual Big Latch On event on Saturday, August 3 at 10:30 am. The event will be held in the medical center’s first floor conference room, and all area women who are breastfeeding their babies/children are invited to attend. Tours of Jefferson Medical Center’s obstetrics unit will be offered following the Big Latch On.
The first Big Latch On took place in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2005 and was introduced to Portland, Oregon in 2010 by Joanne Edwards. It has now taken off globally and in 2012, 8862 children were counted breastfeeding as part of the Global Big Latch On.
The Big Latch On provides the opportunity for breastfeeding women to get together in their local communities, host their own events, and identify opportunities for on-going support.
Breastfeeding contributes to the normal growth and development of babies/children. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a baby’s life to optimize these benefits.
For more information, visit www.biglatchon.org or contact Amy Blue, RN, in the JMC Obstetrics Unit at 304.728.1713 or ablue@wvuhealthcare.com.
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