NHS Borders ask mums to latch onto the idea of breastfeeding during World Breastfeeding Week.

Between 1-7 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.

To mark the occasion on Friday 5th August and Saturday 6th August 2016 at 10:30am thousands of breastfeeding women and their babies/children across the world will gather in their own communities to take part in the Global Big Latch On, a synchronized breastfeeding event in multiple locations.

In support of this global event, NHS Borders is hosting a local ‘Big Latch On’ event next Friday, 5 August 2016 at the Pavilion Cricket pitch at the Borders General Hospital. We are hoping that as many local breastfeeding mums as possible come along at 10am ready to feed their babies at 10.30am to set a new world record.

Kirstin Worsley, Breastfeeding in the Borders (BiBS) Coordinator said: “Educating pregnant women and new parents on the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby is the easy part. Ensuring they will have the support network around to continue breastfeeding is more challenging.

“Breastfeeding awareness week is always a great opportunity for us to promote the tremendous work our BiBS peer supporters do and to share the support they can offer to new mums.

“You don’t have to be breastfeeding to get involved: whether you are pregnant; planning a family soon; have breastfed in the past, or just want to show your support to those who are, then head along to NHS Borders local ‘Big Latch On’ celebration event.”

Looking for more information? why not search Facebook for Borders Bumps Babies and Beyond.

 

The ‘Big Latch On’ aims to protect, promote & support breastfeeding families by:

• Provide support for communities to identify and grow opportunities to provide on-going breastfeeding support and promotion in local communities.
• Raise awareness of breastfeeding support and knowledge available locally and globally.
• Help communities positively support breastfeeding in public places.
• Make breastfeeding a normal part of day-to-day life at a local community level.
• Increase support for women who breastfeed - women are supported by their partners, family and their communities.
• Ensure communities have the resources to advocate for coordinated appropriate and accessible breastfeeding support services.

The global ‘Big Latch On’ is a highly successful, targeted community development initiative that raises awareness of breastfeeding, encourages the formation of support networks between breastfeeding women, and aims to normalise breastfeeding as a part of daily life.