Big Latch On event Friday at Cape Hospital
Breastfeeding mothers are invited to join the Big Latch On event this week at Cape Coral Hospital.
During the first week of August, thousands of women and their children will gather within their communities to take part in the Big Latch On, a synchronized breastfeeding event held in various locations throughout the world. Lee Memorial Health System is hosting events at two locations.
“The whole point of it is to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week,” Nancy Travis, director of the Women’s Care Birth Suites at the Cape facility, said. “To raise awareness for breastfeeding support.”
The event will take place at 10:30 a.m. in the New Cafe at the Cape Coral Hospital. Breastfeeding mothers who are interested in participating should show up at 10 a.m. to register for the event. The second local one will be held at the same time at HealthPark Medical Center in meeting room 201.
Lee Memorial Health System has taken part in the Big Latch On in the past.
“The Cape has participated in this event for three years,” she said.
Last year, approximately 100 mothers turned out.
“All of the women and children will be latched on for one minute and counted by witnesses,” Travis said, explained that the goal is to break the previous year’s record.
There will be a couple of vendors in attendance.
“Last year, it was just lots of fun for the moms and kids,” she said.
Cape Coral Hospital is at 636 S. Del Prado Blvd., S.
Organized by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated in 120 countries to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and the need for global support.
The first Big Latch On took place in New Zealand in 2005 and grew to include 8,862 women and children last year. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of life, with continued breastfeeding and appropriate complementary foods up to age 2.
For additional information about the Big Latch On, visit: www.biglatchon.org or call Travis at (239) 424-2308.