On August 5, 2016, Breastfeeding World held its first Big Latch On in Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs, in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week. According to a press release, 16 breastfeeding moms from all over the Island came together to celebrate and be a part of the global Big Latch On initiative brought to the Island by Breastfeeding World.
Forty-eight breastfeeding supporters including volunteers, participants, and companions, and 16 nursing moms and 15 latched babies participated. “The Vineyard Big Latch On was a total success, this being our first official year doing it here on the Island,” said Alexia Garcia, Breastfeeding World’s creator and founder. “I consider we had a great turnout. As founder of Breastfeeding World, my goal is to keep on promoting breastfeeding everywhere I go, but most importantly showing our communities that nursing your child in public (with or without a cover) is normal, it’s healthy, and it’s extremely necessary.”
After the Latch On, Ms. Garcia and her junior volunteers, Ianna Oliveira and Nicole Menton, had a surprise raffle for all the attendees. Moms had the opportunity to meet friends and make new friends who were going through the same breastfeeding journey. “My favorite part of the event was being surrounded by other mamas and feeling the love we all have for our babies and for each other,” said Emilee Valenti, who has successfully nursed her son. “I also loved the comment ‘When someone tells me I shouldn’t breastfeed in public I just want to put a heavy blanket over their head and watch them try to eat a hamburger,’ made by one of the attending moms.”
Breastfeeding World is informed by the principles of community development, providing the opportunity for breastfeeding women to get together in their local communities, create friendships and to develop the support system that new mothers need.
