Global breastfeeding to take place in Solihull

A global event aimed at highlighting the benefits of breastfeeding is being held in Solihull. At 10:30am on Friday 2nd August 2019, The Global Big Latch On will take place at John Lewis, Touchwood. Attendees will take part in a synchronised breastfeeding event with thousands of others around the world.

This year the goal is to break the current Global Big Latch On record of almost 21,500 children breastfeeding at 778 locations, across 28 countries.

The Global Big Latch On is informed by the principles of community development, providing the opportunity for breastfeeding women to get together in their local communities, host their own events, and identify opportunities for on-going support.

The event is held as part of World Breastfeeding Week which takes place each year between 1 – 7 August. The week is organised by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action as a way of raising awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and the need for global support. It is celebrated in 120 countries and marks the signing of the World Health Organisation/UNICEF document Innocenti Declaration, which lists the benefits of breastfeeding, plus global and governmental goals.

Amy Sadler, Infant Feeding Specialist said: “Events like this are fantastic as they help to raise the profile of breastfeeding locally and around the world. It’s really important that we do this and work to further normalise breastfeeding because it has such a positive impact on the normal growth and development of babies and children. We encourage all parents to give their child the best start in life but understand that breastfeeding can be challenging for some. This is why we and other breastfeeding parents offer lots of support at events like this and throughout the rest of the year.”

Babies/children who are not breastfed are at increased risk of infant morbidity and mortality, adult obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and premenopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer (both mom and baby.) The World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a baby's life to optimize these benefits, continuing to breastfeed for two years and as long thereafter as is mutually desired by a woman and her child.

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