34 mothers and their babies, along with a few older siblings, attended the Big Latch On event in Cambridge last week. Photo – Cornege Photography.
It was quite the sight to see with a total of 34 babies and their mums breastfeeding at once inside the former Cambridge maternity hospital on Friday morning last week.
The fourth consecutive Big Latch On event at the Cambridge Health and Community Centre easily beat the 2017 count of 23 babies but didn’t quite surpass last year’s record of 41 babies.
“We’re still really happy,” said organiser Becky Russell from the Cambridge La Leche League.
“Just the sound and sight of everyone together is pretty phenomenal,” said Debbie Graham, a lactation consultant and member of the Cambridge La Leche League.
Becky said the main aim of the event was raising awareness around breastfeeding in the community, supporting local mums and encouraging them to reach out for support.
Photo – Cornege Photography.
The event was part of a nationwide effort held during World Breastfeeding Week, with family organizations throughout the country hosting “latch on” events over Friday and Saturday last week.
Efforts were made worldwide too – with the Global Big Latch On website reporting 18 thousand people attending Latch On events around the world, and more mums joining in via social media.
Crave sponsored the morning tea, with further support from Lazer Plumbing and Cornege Photography, and spot prizes given out on the day.
Regardless of setting or beating records, organisers hoped that this year’s event helped Cambridge mums get out and connect with the local network of mothers and babies, and understand the support that’s available to them through groups like the La Leche League of New Zealand.
