Rotorua mothers and babies 'latch on' together to celebrate breastfeeding

There were laughs, smiles and hands in the air as Rotorua mothers and babies "latched on" to celebrate and raise awareness of breastfeeding.

The Big Latch On is a global event organised as part of World Breastfeeding Week.

Two Big Latch On events took place in Rotorua today, at the Central Mall Foodcourt and Te Aka Mauri.

Amy Wray, former Kia Wana Lakes Baby Service team leader, was one of the speakers at the Te Aka Mauri event.

"For me, the Latch On is about coming together as women and celebrating us as breastfeeding mothers, and all the hard work you put in.

"We are so proud of you and as a community we are so grateful to you."

She said she also wanted to acknowledge the dads: "We are grateful for all the dads who have come to support the mothers".

The theme for this year's World Breast Feeding Week was "Empower parents and enable breastfeeding".

Rotorua mothers and babies "latched on" at 9.30am and 10.30am. At Te Aka Mauri there was also a multicultural group opening performance, live music, speakers, a shared morning tea, prizes and the announcement of photo competition winners.

There was also the introduction of Kia Wana Lakes Baby's volunteer peer supporters, who have been training to support other women in breastfeeding challenges.

Nehsha Moynihan with her 10-month-old daughter Bella Moynihan at the Big Latch On. Photo / Stephen Parker

Nehsha Moynihan attended the event with her 10-month-old daughter Bella.

She said she liked the kaupapa of the Big Latch On and it was a good reason for stay-at-home mothers to get out.

"I breastfeed my baby and it's an important and empowering thing to be able to do that."

She said a lot of mothers did not know about services available, so the event was a great way to network and learn all about services.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick and Waiariki MP Tamati Coffey were also at the Big Latch On event.

Chadwick said she attended the first Latch On in Rotorua in the Plunket rooms and to see it at Te Aka Mauri today, which was exactly what the space was designed for, was quite emotional.

It was all about building strong families and a family-friendly community, she said.

"It's wonderful to see behind it there's a whole service and advocates."