‘Summer Latch On’ Supports Local Mums to Breastfeed

Mums and their bubs will celebrate the health benefits of breastfeeding at the Summer Latch On next Wednesday (10th February) at Whakatāne River Edge Park and playground.

The Summer Latch On is an annual event organised by Eastern Bay of Plenty Ūkaipō Coalition* to help normalise breastfeeding.

The event provides an opportunity for mums to support each other to breastfeed in public. It also highlights the importance of support from whānau and the wider community to create positive environments that empower mothers to breastfeed.

Toi Te Ora Public Health supports the Summer Latch On and recommends that mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months and then continue to breastfeed along with the introduction of solid foods.

Medical Officer of Health, Dr Phil Shoemack, says when mothers have close support from partners, families, workplaces and communities, breastfeeding rates improve. 

“The Summer Latch On helps create opportunities for breastfeeding to be celebrated as a natural part of life,” Dr Shoemack says.

The event will include free goody bags, miniature train rides and kai. Tumeke FM will also be onsite.

The Summer Latch On provides another opportunity to celebrate breastfeeding in addition to the Big Latch On which occurs as part of World Breastfeeding Week in August.  

For more information about Big Latch On events and World Breastfeeding Week, visit www.womens-health.org.nz.   

* The Ūkaipō Coalition consists of Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance, Plunket, Te Pou Oranga o Whakatōhea (Ōpōtiki), Toi Te Ora Public Health, Te Puna Ora o Mataatua, Community Health 4 Kids, Tūhoe Hauora, Bay of Plenty District Health Board, Eastbay REAP, and Te Tohu O Te Ora O Ngāti Awa. For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/Ukaipoincebop/