Breastfeeding Support Found at Big Latch On

Lexington moms can once again take part in a global event on Saturday, August 1 with the annual Big Latch On to promote and normalize breastfeeding.

The Big Latch On began in New Zealand in 2005, and has since grown to include more than 30 participating countries, at more than 800 individual locations. The goals of the organization are to raise awareness for breastfeeding knowledge, provide support for breastfeeding women, and to model breastfeeding as part of normal, everyday life.

Mindful Moms of the Bluegrass chose to host the Lexington location this year because the group wanted local moms to be aware of a woman’s rights to breastfeed, said Mindful Moms administrator Andrea Malji.

“It’s about the breastfeeding relationship and awareness of the public, and for mothers to know their rights about breastfeeding in public,” Malji said. “It’s to say ‘You are legally allowed to do this and here is a community to support you.’”

The event will begin at 10 a.m. at Pleasant Ridge Park in Lexington. At 10:30 a.m., moms are invited to begin breastfeeding in an attempt to break the current record for children breastfeeding at the same time. In 2013 the record was set at 14,536 children.

Information will be available at tables set up by local resources, including the Lexington-Fayette Health Department. Malji said water and snacks will be available, and moms are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair.

The event is family-friendly and welcomes nursing moms, pumping moms, or anyone who is an advocate and supporter of breastfeeding, Malji said.

“The goal is to further promote breastfeeding awareness, a mom’s legal rights, and to just take the taboo off of it,” she said. “So it’s not being sexualized and to say ‘it’s ok to do this.’”

For more information, check out the Bluegrass Big Latch On Facebook page, or the Big Latch On website.

 If You Go:

Bluegrass Big Latch On

Saturday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m.

Pleasant Ridge Park, 1350 Pleasant Ridge Dr.