"The Big Latch-on", the main event for World Breastfeeding Week is taking place in Greymouth on Friday August 7th at 10.30am. The Breastfeeding Interest Group has been campaigning for a breastfeeding space in the Greymouth CBD following the relocation of the Plunket Rooms in 2008. They are delighted that this event is being held at the Grey District Library, which the Council has recently indicated it wishes to promote as a 'baby friendly' facility.
At 10.30am on Friday, mums will make themselves and their babies comfortable in the children's area at the Grey District Library, and join hundreds of New Zealand women and babies in an attempt to break the record for the most number of women breastfeeding at one time.
"Breastfeeding mothers are very welcome to breastfeed in the library, particularly in the children's area where there are toys that toddlers can play with", says Grey District Librarian Wynne Norgrove. "The library is a good neutral and relaxing place - there will be no pressure from staff to buy or do anything. Mothers can use the space and move on at their leisure. The library welcomes groups of mothers, babies and toddlers, who may want to sit around and have a chat. The library also has baby changing facilities"
The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding from zero to six months and to continue breast feeding up to two years and beyond. Research highlights that if babies are not breastfed they get sick and hospitalised more often. To support breastfeeding mothers out of the home environment, it is important that community facilities are breastfeeding friendly. Ideally this involves the provision of a semi private space (a toilet is not a suitable space) with comfortable seating, baby changing facilities, and a safe and secure area for toddlers.
Following the Latch-on at the library, mothers will share morning tea at the Bonzai, a participating cafe in the West Coast Family Friendly Café initiative. This means they are supportive and welcoming to mums who wish to breastfeed their baby onsite, and display signage on their front window to communicate this.
Original artwork for the Family Friendly Café signage was created recently by students from Greymouth High School, who designed it as part of an Education for Enterprise project.
For more information please contact
Bryan Jamieson
Community Liaison Officer
West Coast DHB
PO Box 387
Greymouth 7840
Phone (DDI): (03) 769-7665
Mobile: 027 245-9595
Email: