Whanganui mums supported World Breastfeeding Week by joining the Big Latch on at Davis and Gonville Libraries yesterday.
The Big Latch On is a global event that takes place annually over two days during World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7).
As a worldwide peer support and community development event, it aims to strengthen national and global support for breastfeeding and to improve the health of children and women around the world.
Until last year, the local latch on event was held at the Whanganui District Council Chamber but it 2016, it was decided to move it to the Davis library to make it more public.
The Davis Library welcomed 16 mothers with their babies and older children yesterday and Gonville Library hosted its first Big Latch on event with a small but enthusiastic group.
Theresa Bullivant said her 11-month-old daughter Ferne has thrived on breast milk and still enjoys it as part of her diet.
"It has been good for me too and I have discovered an unexpected benefit," said Ms Bullivant.
"I had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome before I was pregnant but the hormones I have been producing with pregnancy and breastfeeding seem to have kept the symptoms at bay."
Camielle Dean said her 13-month-old daughter Natalie still enjoys breast milk as part of a healthy diet.
"She loves everything I give her to eat and I'm happy to keep breastfeeding while I know she is still getting valuable nutrients from it."
Kindergarten Association playgroup co-ordinator Dana Wilson joined the event and said it is great to see mothers getting good support for breastfeeding.
"I was really young when I had my baby and I was not in touch with people who could support me.
"It is great when mothers meet up at events like this and it builds support networks."
Public Heath nurse Maria Potaka was on hand to talk about safe sleep for babies and Whanganui DHB lactation consultant Margaret Colway was there to lend support and advice.
Mrs Colway said Whanganui has good statistics for mothers who leave the hospital maternity unit.
"There were 96 per cent of women who initiated breast feeding before leaving hospital and 88 percent were breast feeding exclusively where they went home in the statistics for the last financial year.
"We have the third best rate for all DHBs in New Zealand but it would be nice to do even better."
There are currently over 95 venues registered to host Big Latch On events in New Zealand, right from Gore at the bottom of the South Island to Kaitaia in the Far North.
For Whanganui mothers wanting support and women who can give it, the breastfeeding support group meets from 10am to noon on the first Friday of every month at the Ladies Rest building at 75 St Hill St.
For more information contact Jacqueline Brand-Holt, 021 135 9948.