Aug 13 - Big Latch On Success
On Saturday 3rd August the atmosphere in Gibraltar's Casemates square was buzzing. Alongside the popular Harley Davidson Rally, many of Gibraltar's mummies, babies and children gathered for an event of a very different kind: The Big Latch On 2013.
The Big Latch On is an international event celebrating world breastfeeding week which aims to normalise breastfeeding. All around the world at 10.30am on Saturday 3rd August thousands of women latch their babies on to their breast for one minute which is registered and certified. Gibraltar joined this event for the second year running and 'Mummy and Me' the local breastfeeding support group hosted the event in Cafe Solo in Casemates Square.
Tamsin Suarez, founder of Mummy and Me said: “The big latch is very important date in our calendar in our goal to normalise breastfeeding. Many mums may feel embarressed to breastfeed their babies in public until they realise how many other mummies also breastfeed. It promotes confidence and the will to continue breastfeeding for a longer time.”
World Health Organisation guidlines based on Unicef recommendations say that for optimum benefits babies are exclusively breasfeed for at least six months and with solids introduced optimumly for two years and beyond as long as mutually desired by mum and baby. The health benefits of breast milk include that babies are less likely to suffer from gastroenteritis, respiratory illness and otis media, they are also less likely to suffer from childhood diabetes and obesity and cancer and heart disease later in life. It promotes brain growth and bonding. Benefits to mum includes promoting faster recovery from childbirth and a reduction in the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. It also burns an extra 500 calories a day! Tamsin added: “It was lovely to see new mums and ones that have come with their infants for the second year, some still feeding and some to support. It shows that breastfeeding is normal both for tiny newborns and for an extended duration.”
New for this year was the 'breastfeeding bridge' - the Casemates bridge was filled with hearts with the names of both mum and child on it and the length of time that they breastfed. Mums that were unable to attend the event or have left their breastfeeding journey were also included. There were 21 babies latching on from the age of 9 days to two years.
Tamsin said: “Many thanks to minister Samantha Sacramento for attending the event, in lieu of Minister for Health, Dr John Cortes and also Daya Dewfall from the Health Promotion Team . Many thanks also to Marea from Lucky Girl Photography' and Bianca Baglietto for taking beautiful photos of the event. We wish to thank Cafe Solo for again hosting the event and a very special thanks to the mums and their families for coming down and taking part.”
