Nelson Bays Primary Health

Nelson Bays Primary Health
20 New Street, Nelson
PO Box 1776, Nelson 7040
Tel: 03 539 1170
Freephone: 0800 731 317
Fax: 03 539 4958
info@nelsonbayspho.org.nz

The Big Latch On 2009

World Breastfeeding Week and "Latch On" 2009

August the 1st to the 7th is World Breastfeeding Week. This year's theme is "Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response" and one of its aims is to raise awareness of the importance of breastfeeding in emergencies.

Every year for the last five years during World Breastfeeding Week, Women's Health Action has co-ordinated the "Big Latch On" event for communities across the country to help promote breastfeeding and attempt to break the record for women simultaneously breastfeeding. In Nelson and Marlborough "Latch On" events will be happening across the district as we countdown to the 10.30am latch on time on Friday August 7th. Mums are asked to arrive and register at the venues below from 9.30am onwards.

Registered events will be held in:

Nelson: Victory Community Centre, Totara St
Motueka: St John≠s Ambulance Hall, Courtney St
Golden Bay: Wholemeal Trading Co, Commercial St, Takaka.
Blenheim: Clubs of Marlborough, Alfred St, Blenheim.

Morning tea, info bags and spot prizes will be available.

For further information on local Latch On events contact Scott, Health Promoter, NMDHB Public Health Service on 03 546 1538 or Marion at Nelson Bays Primary Health on 5391170.

For more details on the national event see www.womens-health.org.nz or contact Women's Health Action in Auckland on (09) 5205295.

For more information on Breastfeeding go to www.moh.govt.nz/breastfeeding.

Nelson Marlborough 'Latch On' events are co-ordinated and supported by the Nelson Marlborough DHB Public Health Service, Nelson Bays PHO, Kimi Hauora Wairau PHO, Plunket, La Leche League, Nelson Region Breastfeeding Network, Marlborough Breastfeeding Support Network, Babes In Arms, and the DHB's Nutrition and Physical Activity Programme.

Important Notice:

Of course, the Influenza A (H1N1) epidemic is uppermost in people's minds currently. The Ministry of Health's advice in relation to Breastfeeding is that any influenza can be serious in young babies. However, babies who are breastfed do not get as sick, and are sick less often, than babies who are not breastfed. Don't stop breastfeeding if you are ill. Breastfeeding protects babies because breast milk passes on antibodies from the mother to a baby. Antibodies help fight off infection. Limit formula feeds if you can. If you are too sick to breastfeed, express milk and have someone give it to your baby.