The Global Big Latch On will return to Vancouver’s Esther Short Park Saturday.
Aimed at raising support for public breastfeeding, you can expect to see a couple dozen moms with their babies breastfeeding just north of the playground in the park around 10:30 a.m. The local event is hosted by the Clark County Breastfeeding Coalition, but will take place at registered locations around the world.
“Breastfeeding should be the norm,” said Tricia Pace, who’s the treasurer of the Clark County Breastfeeding Coalition.
The event is called the Big Latch On because around 10:30 a.m. the babies will be latched on, with the mothers raising their hands so they can be tallied. Last year, 17,790 total babies were latched for the event. The attendance for participants, and family and friends who showed up in support was 50,383 people. The Clark County Latch On had 27 babies latch on to 26 moms (twins), and 104 people in attendance last year.
Pace explained “there have been subtle shifts that it’s much more accepted in public” to breastfeed. She said laws are changing about breastfeeding in public places such as airports. Pace also mentioned that mothers have organized nurse-ins after someone is kicked out of a public space for breastfeeding.
