The University of Alabama at Birmingham Women & Infants Center is encouraging Birmingham and Alabama mothers to gather together and breastfeed in public to raise awareness and support of mother-to-baby feeding at this year’s The Big Latch On event.
On Friday, Aug. 3, UAB’s Women & Infants Center, along with Babypalooza and other local mom groups, will be hosting The Big Latch On at 10 a.m. at Regions Field. At 10:30 a.m., mothers will latch on their nursing babies for at least one minute, attempting to break the world record for the most mothers breastfeeding at one time. UAB lactation consultants and nurses hope this event will help normalize breastfeeding and the benefits for mother and baby.
“We’re trying to raise awareness and want people to know that it’s OK for moms to feed their babies, as breastmilk is the best nutrition for infants,” said Cheryl Smith, lactation consultant at UAB. “It’s really just normal — people breastfeed all over the world and have for centuries — and we want our community to understand that, to support women who choose to breastfeed, and to keep normalizing this mother/baby connection.”
The event opens at 9 a.m., with the latch-on taking place at 10:30 a.m.
Visit the Babypalooza website for more information and event details.