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SIDNEY — Organizers are putting the final touches on the third annual Big Latch On. The event will be held Saturday, Aug. 5, from 10 to 11 a.m. outside the Shelby County Courthouse.

“We have had 26 breastfeeding moms latch on during the event each of the first two years,” said Meghan Monaici, Sidney, who organizes the event. “The actual latch on will take place at 10:30 a.m. We’ll have a social time for the families from 10 to 11 a.m.”

The local event is part of the Global big Latch on which takes place annually over a two-day period during World Breastfeeding Week. Last year, 28 countries participated in the event at 758 individual locations. There were 17,992 breastfeeding children who latched on during the event, with 17,852 breastfeeding mom participating. The total number in attendance was 48,628.

Women’s Health Action began the Big Latch On in New Zealand in 2005. The day was introduced in the United States in 2010 in Portland, Oregon, by Joanne Edwards of Small Beginnings Group LLC.

Annie Brown and members of Le Leche League USA worked with Edwards to expand the event throughout the United States in 2011.

“We want to inform moms and dads about the importance of breastfeeding,” said Monaici. “This event helps us develop a support system for breastfeeding moms.”

Also participating in Saturday’s event will be the Sidney-Shelby County WIC Office and Wilson Health’s lactation support consultants.

“Last year about 50 percent of the breastfeeding moms were new moms with younger infants,” said Monaici. “About 50 percent of them were second time moms with children over a year old.”

Monaici said the event is always held the first Friday and Saturday of August. The latch on happens at 10:30 a.m. in each respective time zone.

“We want the younger women to know it’s acceptable to breastfeed their child in public,” said Monaici. “It’s healthier for both the mom and baby and especially for those mothers who have breast cancer in their family history.”

She said the international goal of the Big Latch On is to see breastfeeding mothers on every street corner.

“We will be with the farmers market on Saturday, so our moms will be seen by the public,” said Monaici. “The first 24 participants will receive goodie bags.”

Monaici said many of the breastfeeding moms are also thinking about leading a healthier lifestyle.

“The farmers market can help them with living a healthier lifestyle,” said Monaici.

The goals of Big Latch On are:

• Support for communities to identify and grow opportunities to provide ongoing breastfeeding support and promotion.

• Raise awareness of breastfeeding support and knowledge available in communities.

• Help communities positively support breastfeeding in public places.

• Make breastfeeding a normal part of the day-to-day life at a local community level.

• Increase support for women who breastfeed — women are supported by there partners, family and the breastfeeding knowledge that is embedded in their communities.

• Ensure communities have the resources to and/or advocate for coordinated appropriate and accessible breastfeeding support services.

All mothers — including potential, pregnant and breastfeeding — are invited to attend the event.

For more information, visit the Facebook site, facebook.com/biglatchonsidneyohio.

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By Melanie Speicher

[email protected]

Reach the writer at 937-538-4822.

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