Mums to celebrate breastfeeding in Ely's first Big Latch On

Mums from across East Cambridgeshire will be gathering in Ely next week to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week.
Events will be taking place worldwide as part of the Global Big Latch On, an awareness campaign aimed at encouraging women to breastfeed and offer support to each other.

For the first time, Isle of Ely branch of the NCT will be taking part in the Big Latch On, with its own event planned during its monthly Bumps, Babies and Beyond group.
Health visitors and breastfeeding supporters will be on hand to help and advise.
Megan Stephenson, of Isle of Ely NCT, said the aim of the Big Latch On was to “normalise and support” breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding has long-term benefits for babies, lasting right into adulthood.
According to the NHS it can reduce infections, diarrhoea and vomiting in babies and lessen the chances of getting childhood leukaemia, type two diabetes and obesity in children.
Women’s Health Action launched the Big Latch On in New Zealand in 2005. Since then, the campaign has gone from strength to strength, growing internationally in a bid to publicise the benefits of breastfeeding.
Last year 15,336 women managed to breastfeed 14,889 children in 654 locations across 28 countries as part of the Global Big Latch On.
The Big Latch On in Ely will take place from 10am to 11.30am at the Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Street, on August 5.
For more information about the global event see http://biglatchon.org/