As the clock struck 11 a.m., Langley mothers brought their babies to their breasts for their mid-morning meal.
The feeding frenzy was part of Fraser Health’s annual breastfeeding challenge that calls on mothers to compete in a fun competition of largest simultaneous breastfeed. The event came a few days before the start of National Breastfeeding Week, which runs from Oct. 1 to Oct. 7.
The latch-on was the third one hosted at the Langley library.
While the Langley moms didn’t break any records with 32 babies latching-on at 11 a.m., they did enjoy winning prizes, eating cake, bonding with their children, and getting out of the house.
Langley mom Sarah Dineen brought baby Jocelyn to the event and said it’s a good way meet other moms and babies.
“It’s important to get out of the house and see other babies and moms. I think it (breastfeeding) is a great bond for a child and that’s my favourite part. Just being able to snuggle her in a couple times a day and get that special time for just the two of us.
Langley’s Chelsea Dagot participated with her baby, Andreo, as a way to reduce stigma around public breastfeeding.
“I wanted to be a part of the breastfeeding movement to normalize breastfeeding and make it more acceptable in public places.”
The latch-on wasn’t only for mom and baby. Three generations of one family took part in the fun.
Jasmine Speidel breastfed her daughter Willow, as her own mother, Karen Donaghy, sat nearby. Speidel’s older daughter, Autumn, played with her doll beside her mom, grandma, and baby sister.
Donaghy said coming to the event was ‘important to support my daughter,’ and added it’s a good feeling to be part of something bigger.
Fraser Health nursing supervisor Corinna Orobko said breastmilk is the perfect food for baby.
“It’s always ready for baby, it’s portable, it has antibodies and other properties that can’t be replicated with formulas. Formulas are definitely a choice that can be made and can be healthy, but breastfeeding is number one. It’s human milk for human babies so it’s perfect for them.”
Orobko said there’s more than 100 benefits to breastfeeding a baby.
“Women find they have a lot of bonding that happens during feeding, which is really important and it can help with getting back to normal after having a baby. There’s even some calories that are burned. Women feel it’s something important they can do for their babies.”
Frasher Health partners were also at the event, including Langley Community Services and Early Years.
A variety of prizes were handed out such as gift certificates for a float house, buybuy Baby, Medela breast pumps, Forever Yours lingerie, Save-on-Foods, Safeway, Starbucks and more.
