Far North breastfeeding mums latch on for cause

FEEDING TIME: Mothers breastfeed babies during a past Big Latch On event at the Bay of Islands Hospital maternity unit.

A Big Latch On event for local breastfeeding mums will be held at the Bay of Islands Hospital maternity unit in Kawakawa at 10am on Friday.

Another similar but smaller event is to begin at the Doubtless Bay Playgroup rooms in Taipa at 9.30am on the same day.

They will be among hundreds of Big Latch Ons taking place all over the country on Friday and Saturday as part of World Breastfeeding Week, which runs from August 1-7.

Last year, 1478 women and their children came together and breastfed simultaneously in venues across New Zealand with an additional 150 participating online.

The Big Latch On aims to normalise breast feeding as part of every-day life. It was launched in New Zealand 10 years ago and has subsequently taken off globally with about 30 countries around the world now running events involving more than 14,500 babies.

Women's Health Action's maternal and child health promoter Isis McKay said communities around the country were the heart of the supportive event.

"The Big Latch On is successful because it operates at a grass roots level. Each event is unique, shaped according to the ethos and culture of the community organising it," she said.

"From a maternal gathering on a pig farm, to en-masse marae sit-ins, we've even had women taking part 30,000 feet in the air; an in-flight Big Latch On."

For the second year, women can also take part via a virtual Big Latch On by posting a breastfeeding selfie to #biglatchonNZ www.facebook.com/biglatchonNZ

"There is evidence that women increase their internet use by up to 45 per cent after becoming mothers, and if they're back at work or unable to make it to a physical Big Latch On, this on-line option may work for them," Ms McKay said.

-To register a Big Latch On event go to www.biglatchon.org.nz or phone 09 520 5295.