articles

Worldwide Synchronized Breastfeeding Event

July 25, 2019


In celebration of National Breastfeeding Month and to raise awareness of breastfeeding benefits, AdventHealth Waterman, in collaboration with the Lake County Breastfeeding Task Force, will host Lake County’s first “Big Latch On” event on Aug. 2.

 

This free and family-friendly event will start at 10 a.m. with the latch starting at 10:30 a.m. Breastfeeding moms are encouraged to attend and take part in this global event with their babies/children at AdventHealth Waterman’s Center for Women and Children at 1000 Waterman Way, Tavares.

 

Certified lactation consultants will be on-site to answer questions and support nursing families. Light snacks, refreshments and giveaways will also be provided.

 

“Breastfeeding contributes to the normal growth and development of babies,” said Kimbi Ayers, AdventHealth Waterman Center for Women and Children manager. “Those who are breastfed have a reduced risk of infant morbidity and mortality, as well as developing medical conditions in adulthood, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, as well as premenopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer – for both mom and baby. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a baby's life and continuing to breastfeed for two years, as long it is mutually desired by a woman and her child.”

 

The Global Big Latch On is celebrated annually during the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action’s World Breastfeeding Week, which is always August 1-7. This weeklong health observance 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. World Breastfeeding Week serves as an opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and the need for global support.

 

The first Big Latch On took place in Aotearoa, New Zealand in 2005. It was introduced to Portland, Oregon in 2010 by Small Beginnings Group, LLC, and has now taken off globally.

 

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action’s goal is to break the current Global Big Latch On record of almost 21,500 children breastfeeding at 778 locations, across 28 countries.

 

To RSVP to Lake County’s first “Big Latch On” event, call 352-253-3479 or email Edlyn.Fernandez@AdventHealth.com.

 

For more information about this global initiative, visit www.BigLatchOn.org.