Breastfeeding-Mom Mega-Event

There’s been so much sturm-und-drang in the media about breastfeeding mothers—and the staffers in various places that tell them to stop, to leave, or who call the cops.

There’s an international push-back coming this weekend. It’s an event called The Big Latch On. Putnam County is hosting one of the many mega-events scheduled for Aug. 1 and 2, events which will feature breastfeeding moms breastfeeding together, in public, joining thousands of others around the world.

The annual event, an opportunity to support and promote breastfeeding, is traditionally held during World Breastfeeding Week, August 1 through 7. During The Big Latch On 2013, more than 14,000 children were breastfed simultaneously in 845 locations in 28 countries.

Putnam’s “Big Latch-On” is hosted by the Putnam County Department of Health (PCDOH) and will take place at the Carmel Fire Department, 94 Gleneida Avenue, the only site in Putnam County. Participants will receive goody bags, door prizes will be awarded, and refreshments served.

“The latch-on event is part of our broader initiative to promote and support this highly beneficial practice for both maternal and infant health,” Health Commissioner Allen Beals, MD, said in a written statement.

And he should know, the Putnam County event’s organizers say, having spent 22 years practicing as an obstetrician/gynecologist delivering over 4,000 babies.

PROMOTION HERE: Among other programs, the PCDOH also provides a free breast-feeding support group which meets bimonthly with PCDOH nurses who are also International Board Certified Lactation Consultants.

BACK TO THE EVENT:

If you want to be part of Putnam’s Big Latch On event, here are the details from the organizers.

Registration begins at 9:45 a.m. and latch on is promptly at 10:30 a.m.

Moms should arrive by 10 a.m. to complete registration and settle in, and are encouraged to bring a blanket, pillow or cushion for more comfortable seating. All breastfeeding mothers in Putnam and surrounding counties are invited to participate and help break last year’s record. Siblings, other family members, and friends are welcome as well.

For more information or to pre-register, call 845-808-1390, ext. 43119.

To learn more about the Big Latch On, visit their website.

For more information on the PCDOH’s maternal child health programs, you can visit their dedicated Facebook page at www.facebook.com/putnamparents.

The Health Department’s mission is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community, composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, environmental health protection, family health promotion and healteducation. For more information, please visit our website at www.putnamcountyny.com/health or visit our social media sites on Facebook at www.facebook.com/putnamhealth and Twitter@PutnamHealthNY.