The Big Latch On!!!

 On August 6th at 10:00 AM, I will be hosting the local area's sight for The Big Latch On at Mother's Own Birth Center in Temperance, Mi.

From The Big Latch On press release:

The first record for a single location was from Berkeley, CA USA in 2002 where 1,130 mothers breastfed simultaneously. The international record for one location is 3,738 mothers held by the Philippines in 2006.  Since then, there have been several coordinated international events and in October 2010, 9,826 nursing mothers were recorded at 325 sites in 16 countries.

The Big Latch On is originally from New Zealand.  It was introduced to Portland, Oregon in 2010 by Joanne Edwards as a celebration for World Breastfeeding Week. During the same week Annie Brown, a La Leche League Leader from Connecticut organized a simultaneous breastfeeding event in her home state. For World Breastfeeding Week 2011, they are working collaboratively and with the support of La Leche League USA to bring the event across the country.

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. 

Breastfeeding contributes to the normal growth and development of babies, and babies 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 mother and baby.

I really hope that you will join us, nursing mother, supportive friend or father of a nursling.  I will be offering some special lactation treats and there will be lost of other nursing families to meet!

Please call or email me if you have any questions!

An Eventful Welcome!

On July 5th, Jenny and Adam received their own little firecracker,  Abraham James!  Although Abraham's journey earthside was not to be as anyone had expected, he got here safely, and apparently well-fed :)  He weighed 10 lbs, 9 oz and was 22 and 3/4 inches long.  He is a beautiful little guy and he is so lucky to have soch great, flexible and easy-going parents.  He also is going to be LOVED by his big brother, Felix!

Thank you, Jenny and Adam, for allowing me to accompany you on this journey.  You both are the picture of grace in the face of adversity and I will never forget your experience.