National Breastfeeding Month and World Breastfeeding Week

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The month of August is National Breastfeeding Month and August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week (WBW).

Both are annual celebrations of breastfeeding that encourage families, communities and the world to support breastfeeding to improve the health of mothers and babies.

This year’s theme for WBW is: Breastfeeding – Foundation of Life.

We all have a part to play in improving breastfeeding support in our communities. The foundation and growth of breastfeeding success starts with mom, baby and her breastfeeding support system. It is important to support mom by ensuring she has information, well-being and confidence.

Breastfeeding is the foundation of life by its impact on:

  • Building Health – To receive the most health benefits, breastfeed for at least one year.
  • Building Well-Being – You are enough.
  • Building a Brighter Future – Breastfeeding provides benefits that last.

Weld County WIC will be celebrating WBW by partnering with healthcare providers and community resources to put on the Big Latch On Northern Colorado.

The Global Big Latch On helps to raise awareness of and normalizes breastfeeding. Nursing mothers and supporters gather together at registered locations around the world to all “latch on” (breastfeed) at the set time. All the latches are counted and the record is set.

What counts as a latch, you ask? Direct latching to breast; using a supplemental nursing system or nipple shield; expressing milk (hand or pump) or by feeding your child breast milk via an alternative method.

So come, celebrate World Breastfeeding Week by joining us for the Big Latch On Northern Colorado. The event will be held at Island Grove Park from 9:00AM to 12:00PM on Friday, August 3rd. There will be a festival with informational booths, activities, and most importantly: THE BIG LATCH! At 10:30 AM local time, all Big Latch On events around the world will count and record latches.

Anyone who wants to support and celebrate breastfeeding can attend. Please visit the Facebook page @BigLatchNoCo and check out the event page, Big Latch On Northern Colorado for event updates, event information, partner highlights, and to RSVP. Feel free to message the organizers with questions via Facebook. This event is FREE and open to public.

We hope to see you there!