“Big Latch On” aims to support Borderland breastfeeding

Mothers and families gathered at Bassett Place Mall Saturday morning to try and bring greater awareness and acceptance for something that can still be seen as taboo or even obscene to some.

“This is the Big Latch On,” said Lizbeth Berkeley, one of the organizers of the event and a lactation consultant. “The Big Latch On is an event celebrated worldwide where all these moms latch their babies on at 10:30 in the morning, everywhere in the world. Last year, there were 15,000 women that participated world wide.”

Just under 100 women and families gathered in the mall food court to participate the worldwide event to celebrate what they argue is is a simple and natural concept – breastfeeding.

“I’m here to help promote breastfeeding,” said Bethany Mata, attending with her seventh-month-old daughter and the rest of her family. “There are so many health benefits to breastfeeding that will last a lifetime for mom and baby. And a lot of people I don’t think realize the number of wonderful things that breastfeeding does.”

Touting benefits like lower risk of chronic health conditions for kids and of cancer for moms, Berkeley said it’s also better for the planet.

“It’s very earth friendly. Breastfeeding is very low impact, as in zero carbon footprint,” Berkeley said.

Having been a lactation consultant for decades, Berkeley has seen attitudes towards breastfeeding change significantly since she started. And the Big Latch On is meant to continue that trend.

“It couldn’t be more natural. It’s like someone being offended by eating a sandwich,” Berkeley said.

If you want to know more about the event or about breastfeeding, you can find the Binational Breastfeeding Coalition at www.borderbreastfeeding.org.