Aug 08 - Gibraltar Breastfeeding Association Held Big Latch On

The Gibraltar Breastfeeding Association participated in Gibraltar's fifth International Big Latch On this past Saturday to help promote awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and show the community that breastfeeding is "natural, beautiful and normal".

 

This year, 11 mums and 11 babies latched at the event held in Cafe Solo in Casemates Square, followed by breakfast. 

 

The charity has been working in the community since 2013 and before that the event was organised by the Mummy and Me Breastfeeding Support Group- also on Facebook and providing support and a weekly meeting place for breastfeeding families and an active support group on Facebook.

 

A spokeswoman for the Association said: "Many new mums, unsure of themselves and their ability to nourish their babies are uncomfortable to breastfeed in public, especially in the early weeks. 

 

"It is also a skill to be learnt and mums need to find a way that breastfeeding works for themselves and their babies.

 

"By holding awareness events such as this one it increases their confidence and encourages them that not only can they feed their baby  whenever and wherever the child is hungry but that it is normal and society will be supportive. 

 

"Many mums are also proud of their ability to nourish their baby and love to share this experience with other mums. Some of the mums in this year's latch have been through a tough breastfeeding journey and are so excited and proud that they are still breastfeeding and can share in this experience."

 

The latch is held in Café Solo in Casemates, who have been sponsoring the event since it began.  Registration at 10am and the mums and babies meet each other. It is a great way to meet new mums and support and ask questions. The event is filled with chat, and laughter and suddenly the time is realised and everyone sits down for the important part of the event- to be counted. 

 

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