Best of the breast at Leamington 'Big Latch On' event

A WORLDWIDE attempt to encourage mums to breastfeed comes to Leamington on Saturday morning (August 4).

The Big Latch On 2012 is to be held at 10am in the upper mall of the Royal Priors shopping centre and organisers are appealing for more breastfeeding mums to join in a world record attempt for synchronised breastfeeding at 10.30am.

The event originated in New Zealand in 2005 and aims to increase awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding, identify support for mums and their families to continue feeding and make breastfeeding a normal part of day to day life in every community.

Local mum Josie Sawers, who helped organised the Leamington event, said “Somehow, as a society, we've become extremely comfortable with seeing babies drinking manufactured milk but some people feel uncomfortable seeing mums breastfeed, with their own milk. I used to be like this too and think that if I'd seen more women breastfeeding as I was growing up it would certainly have helped me feel less self-conscious.”

Mary Macdonald, breastfeeding co-ordinator at South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, which is backing the event, added: “I would like to encourage mums to attend to help promote breastfeeding in our local communities. It will be a great opportunity to talk to other mums and we will also be on hand to offer any support needed.”

Visit www.biglatchon.org or www.facebook.com/groups/biglatchon2012/ for more information.

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