Nursing Moms Attempt to Break Record in the Big Latch On

Thousands of nursing mothers and their babies will join together on Saturday, August 6, 2011, to attempt to break the world record for the most mothers who are breastfeeding simultaneously. The event titled the Big Latch On, will be held at 10:30 AM local time within participating cities worldwide.

The event first started in 2005 by the Women's Health Action Trust in New Zealand as part of World Breastfeeding Week. The event was later introduced by Joanne Edwards in 2010 to Portland, Oregon which brought the event to the United States

The 2011 Big Latch On US event is in collaboration with the La Leche League USA organization. The event will be held during World Breastfeeding Week, which runs August 1-7, to increase awareness of breastfeeding and solidarity among nursing mothers.

The theme for World Breastfeeding Week is "Talk to me! Breastfeeding - a 3D Experience" which highlights communication as an essential element necessary for protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding. World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated in more than 170 countries.

To further support The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action's theme for World Breastfeeding Week, the La Leche League USA's theme is "Breastfeeding = Communication." Again, the theme highlights the importance of communication to support and encourage mothers throughout their breastfeeding experience in order to give them the information they need to be successful.

In October 2010, 9,826 nursing mothers were recorded at 325 sites in 16 countries. If you are a nursing mother and would like to participate, please check the list to locate a Big Latch On event site near you. If you would like to create a site, please contact the Big Latch On.

Breastfeeding is essential for the healthy development of babies. Breast milk is rich in nutrients and antibodies; has the right balance of fat, sugar, water and protein; and is easier for babies to digest versus formula milks. The World Health Organization recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for at least the first 6 months of life and then continued for 2 years or longer. Babies who are not breastfed experience a higher risk of infant morbidity and mortality, and a host of many health issues including obesity which can extend into their adult life. Breastfeeding helps to contribute to a lifetime of good health as well as increases intelligence.

Mothers also benefit from breastfeeding their children as breastfeeding helps reduce the risk for Type II Diabetes, Breast Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, and Postpartum Depression. Breastfeeding helps women return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster and lowers rates of obesity.  Because breastfed babies are generally less sick, the mothers miss less work.

Breastfeeding is also environmentally friendly since there are no cans and bottle supplies which generates trash and plastic waste.

For more information check out these Facts on Breastfeeding. 

According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's obesity research report "F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2010" Trust for America's Health June 2010:

Top 15 States Ranking for Adult Obesity (RWJF 2010):

1. Mississippi
2. Alabama
2. Tennessee
4. West Virginia
5. Louisiana
6. Oklahoma
7. Kentucky
8. Arkansas
9. South Carolina
10. North Carolina
10. Michigan
12. Missouri
13. Ohio
13. Texas
15. South Dakota

Top 10 States Ranking for Highest Childhood Obesity Among 10-17-Year-Olds (RWJF 2010):

1. Mississippi
2. Georgia
2. Kentucky
4. Illinois
5. Louisiana
6. Tennessee
7. Arkansas
7. Texas
9. District of Columbia
10. West Virginia

Top 10 States with Lowest Rates of Exclusive Breastfeeding at 6 Months (RWJF 2010):

1. Mississippi
2. Louisiana
3. Alabama
4. Arkansas
5. Delaware
6. Oklahoma
7. West Virginia
8. Missouri
9. Rhode Island
10. Ohio

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's 2010 research on breastfeeding differs slightly from that of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "Healthy People Breastfeeding Report Card" from 2007.

Top 10 States with Lowest Rates of Exclusive Breastfeeding at 6 Months (CDC 2007):

1. Mississippi
2. Oklahoma
3. South Carolina
4. West Virginia
5. Louisiana
6. North Carolina
7. Alabama
8. Tennessee
9. Georgia
10. Florida

Note: According to the RWJF 2010 report, six of the states with the lowest rates of exclusive breastfeeding at six months are among the top 10 states with the highest adult obesity rates.

We must consider more than just a lack of breastfeeding as a cause of adult obesity such as income, education, ethnicity and also access to healthy nutrient dense food. But it is very clear that there seems to be a link between lower breastfeeding rates and adult obesity, and that people in these areas desperately need more health education and awareness programs.

Please support mothers who are breastfeeding, and help to create more awareness about the importance of breastfeeding for optimal health of babies and women by passing this information along to your family and friends. 

If you are planning a pregnancy, pregnant, nursing or simply just want some help learning how to improve your health and the health of your family nutritionally, please contact Danielle Heard, MS, HHC, of Artemis in the City 866-330-5421.

If you would like to create a more vibrant and healthy life and need personal support and assistance to help you get started, please contact me today! I can help you 866-330-5421. Services are provided nationally via telephone sessions. In person sessions are currently available for those living in the East Texas area!

Thank you very much for reading my blog and please continue to visit often.

I wish you good health, happiness and love!

Danielle

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