MEDIA RELEASE – 24 July 2012
Big Latch On
INTERVIEW AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
On the 1 – 7th of August every year, to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and the need for global support, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action organises World
Breastfeeding Week. World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, is celebrated in 120 countries and marks the signing of the WHO/UNICEF document Innocenti Declaration, which lists the benefits of breastfeeding, plus global and governmental goals.
To mark this occasion on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th August 2012 at 10:30am (6:30pm for Malaysian time due to fasting month) thousands of breastfeeding women and their babies/children across the world will gather in their own communities to take part in the Big Latch On, a synchronized breastfeeding event in multiple locations. Our local Big Latch On will take place at SusuIbu.com Seri Kembangan Outlet, 25-1 Jalan BPP 5/1, Permai Square 1, Pusat Bandar Putra Permai, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor.
The first Big Latch On took place in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2005 and has now taken off globally. It was introduced to Portland, Oregon in 2010 by Joanne Edwards and in 2011, 5687 women participated in the Global Big Latch On. This year we are aiming to once again break this record!
The Big Latch On is informed by the principles of community development, providing the
opportunity for breastfeeding women to get together in their local communities, host their own
events, and identify opportunities for on-going support.
Breastfeeding contributes to the normal growth and development of babies/children, and babies/
children who are not breastfed are at increased risk of infant morbidity and mortality, adult
obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and premenopausal breast cancer and
ovarian cancer (both mom and baby.) The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding
exclusively for the first six months of a baby’s life to optimize these benefits, continuing to
breastfeed for 2 years and as long thereafter as is mutually desired by a woman and her child.
For more information:
Nor Kamariah Mohamad Alwi
kamariah@susuibu.com
03-89414252
www.biglatchon.org
© Women’s Health Action / Big Latch On
