Big latch on planned throughout South Canterbury

Local health care organizations United Memorial Medical Center and Oak Orchard Health will be hosting an event for breastfeeding mothers that will attempt to break worldwide records as well as raise awareness on the important health benefits of breastfeeding.

They will surely be among countless Big Latch Ons happening everywhere on Friday and Saturday as part of World Breastfeeding Week, that will functions from August 1-7.

In 2014, The Big Latch On globally registered 23,906 in attendance at its events around the world, with 14,173 breastfeeding women and 13,798 breastfeeding children at 826 locations in 31 countries.

Just over 100 community groups are taking part in the Big Latch On event this year.

Mid-South Canterbury Plunket Clinical Services Manager, Anne Feld, said deciding to breastfeed your baby was one of the most positive steps you could take towards ensuring baby got the best start in life. There are many health benefits of breastfeeding. A virtual Big Latch On event has been created via the Big Latch On Facebook page (www.facebook.com/biglatchonNZ), which encourages breastfeeding Mums to post breastfeeding selfies with the hashtag #biglatchonNZ. The Big Latch On in Rockford will be held at the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza at Riverside Boulevard & McFarland Road from 9:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m.