Putnam Part of the Big Latch-On

“Imagine a world where every family was supported, nurtured by their community, and where breastfeeding is a normal part of life.”

That’s what the organizers of the international Big Latch-On say about their annual event in honor of World Breastfeeding Week. Last year,14,536 children breastfed at the same time at 845 locations in 28 countries.

This year, the event runs for two days.

This morning at the Carmel Firehouse in Putnam County, 23 women and babies, plus an assortment of older siblings and supportive dads, gathered for a group breastfeeding session to show solidarity with women around the world.

“I wanted to come out and support this,” said Charlotte Stiebding of Patterson, feeding her 9-week-old son Jake. “My first was a preemie and couldn’t latch on. I was excited that this time around, I could breastfeed.”

The thing about breastfeeding is that it’s far healthier for the baby. Far. Another thing, of course, is that it’s natural. Old as the hills. Basic.

Somers resident Victoria DiLonardo said she doesn’t know why some Americans get upset about seeing a breastfeeding mother.

“I think it’s getting better, though,” she said. “I’ve breastfed in public before and having had any issues.”

For more information on the Big-Latch On, visit www.biglatchon.org.