Mums and babies turn up to latch on
By 10am on Friday August 5 The Vault Cafe´ in Dannevirke resembled more a nursery than a restaurant as 20 mums and their babies plus friends and supporters met to celebrate the Big Latch On.
They joined thousands of Kiwi mums and children who gathered over August 5-6 in locations throughout New Zealand to start the 2016 World Breastfeeding Week celebrations. They were joined by more than 30,000 mums and children globally taking part in the annual Big Latch On to celebrate, support and promote breastfeeding.
Dannevirke’s celebration was arranged by three organisations — Te Kete Haoura-Tamariki Ora, Dannevirke Midwives, and Loved 4 Life.
Now in its 12th year, the Big Latch On aims are to reduce some of the most common barriers to breastfeeding continuation. The Big Latch On supports communities to identify and grow opportunities to provide ongoing breastfeeding support and promotion.
It did more than that. Guest speaker Tania Riwai provided a range of suggestions to improve the wellbeing of mums.
She focused on the happiness of mums.
“If you are happy you can bet your baby will be happy. Motherhood is a magic time — enjoy it.” She provided a small diary to fill in which asked the question “How does it get even better than this and what would it take for me to be greater tomorrow than I was willing to be today?”
There was practical advice, including the use of a wakahura (basket) and pepipod for safe sleeping.
Local sponsors meant most mums took home a prize and the Vault Cafe´ provided morning tea. Speaking for owners Jan and Doug Kennerley, Manager Anna Clark said she encourages mums to use the cafe´ and she was thrilled with the response.
Maryanne Vella of Loved 4 Life said she did not know whether she was more thrilled by the mums who came or the number of businesses which supported the cause.
With double the numbers of last year the organisers were excited by the response of mums who braved the weather to come out to The Vault Cafe´ .