This past Saturday August 6th, 2016 Breastfeeding World’s creator & founder, Alexia Garcia; along with volunteer team Lisa Maloney & Samantha Sykula, Breastfeeding World’s event coordinators hosted Breastfeeding World’s Second Annual Big Latch On and Family Picnic.
At 9:45 am moms from all around New York City, New Jersey and Philadelphia started to congregate in front of the TKTS steps in the heart of Manhattan, Times Square to partake in the most historic and iconic breastfeeding celebration in the Big Apple, Breastfeeding World’s Big Latch On.
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“I had such a great time at the event surrounded by a group of awesome women! I have to say my favorite moment was when we were all told to latch on, the wave of emotion that came with that was amazing.” – Marisa Cabrera Borda
This year, as previously announced, Breastfeeding World united forces once again with the Global Big Latch On. At 10:30 am our 105 nursing mothers latched on joining thousands of women all around the world in a synchronized breastfeeding session that lasted one entire minute. Pumping and hand expressing moms where also welcomed.
Breaking last year’s record…
Photo by: Alegares Photography
Back on August 1st, 2015 Breastfeeding World held it’s very first Big Latch On in Times Square. With only three weeks of planning Alexia Garcia, Breastfeeding World’s creator and founder, together with her dear friend Lisa Maloney, Breastfeeding World volunteer, and a group of volunteers gathered 69 moms who breastfed their little ones and over a 100 breastfeeding supporters.
This year we broke our local record! This year we gathered a total of 303 breastfeeding supporters including: 105 breastfeeding moms & 101 children latched.
“This was my first time attending a latch on and I can’t believe the feelings of togetherness, strength, and love that I felt. I met so many wonderful people. The highlight for me was the actual latch, I was holding back tears because it was such an empowering moment to just feed my baby and not worry about what anyone would say or if anyone was looking and being judgmental. To be surrounded by mamas doing the same thing plus the encouragement by the advocates and friends was just awesome! We had a blast! Thank you for normalizing breastfeeding and community love!” – Sonia Figueroa
“This was my second time attending the big latch on in Times Square and I can’t say how happy and empowered I was to be amongst all these amazing breastfeeding women and advocates. When women gather and support each other, care for their children and all children, we are creating history and a more peaceful world.” – Sandra Laura Shanbhag
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Sharing the Breastfeeding Love…
For this 2016, Alexia Garcia decided that it was necessary to take Breastfeeding World’s iconic events to those smaller communities where breastfeeding is loved but not highly celebrated.
On August 5th, 2016 Alexia and her Breastfeeding World volunteer team hosted their very first Martha’s Vineyard Big Latch On & on August 6th, 2016 together with our own Lauren Smith, Breastfeeding World’s volunteer Editor & writer, we hosted our very first Hamilton County’s Big Latch On in Indiana. Together in all three events we contributed with over 600 breastfeeding supporters who were counted towards the Global Big Latch On totals.
Make sure you stop by our article highlighting Hamilton County’s event Here
2016’s Advocacy Outreach Program
Our goal as an online community of support is to be able to provide the resources our parents need this is why this year, Alexia Garcia developed the Advocay Outreach Program which was put into effect in all three locations.
Local prominent birth professionals were hand picked by the Breastfeeding World organizing team and invited to join our Tri-State Family Picnics.
A few of our Advocates during our Family Picnic in Bryant Park – Photo by Alegares Photography
In NYC our families had our team of Advocates discussing topics such as: postpartum depression & baby blues, breastfeeding counseling and education, proper methods for babywearing, evidence based birth education, (name topics)
- Corazon Gambino – Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula
- Leigh Anne O’Connor – IBCLC & LLL Leader
- Alicia Wilson – Sleep Training Specialist
- Renee Pizzuto – Certified Holistic Doula, Evidence Based Birth Educator
- Simone Toomer – Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula, CLC & Doula Educator
- France Webb – Hand Expression Specialist
- Krista Rizzo – Proactive Parent Coaching
- Marta Ginter – Certified Babywearing Consultant, CLC & Birth Doula
- Te-Anna Souffrant – Certified Doula
- Liz Chang – Certified Lactation Counselor
Breastfeeding World Advocates right before the Big Latch On started
Breastfeeding World would like to thank the NYC birth professionals for their support to our cause and for making Alexia’s idea come to life.
A day to remember…
After our historic Big Latch in Times Square our group of 300 breastfeeding supporters head over to Bryant Park for yet another couple more hours of fun. We had our Family Picnic – A real Breastfeeding Celebration.
Dan Cantonese – The Music Man
Nursing mamas and their families came together to enjoy a beautiful sunny day in NYC, with the participation of “Dan the music man,” Daniel Palase, one of the most amazing musicians we’ve gotten to know, he had both kids and parents dancing, everyone was up and following his lead.
Bubbles were also a great addition to our family gathering, thanks to “The Bubble Dad,” the one and only Chris Catanese who made all the kiddos jump in excitement all day long.
“I had tons of fun!!! This was our first latch on and it was completely amazing!!! There where so many wonderful mommy’s out there today. One of my favorite parts was the way you all set up at up at the park with all the info handed out while the music for the kiddies played.” – Tanya Rodriguez
Breastfeeding World’s Family Picnic wouldn’t have been the same without these amazing guys so Thank You.
“Bryant park was fun, It was so much fun socializing with other like-minded families, and to see so much breastfeeding & babywearing in one location. It’s an amazing feeling to mingle, support, and feel supported by so many women at different points in their breastfeeding journey. This was a very memorable day.” – Anat Keinan
Followed by a super fun raffle, moms, dads, children and volunteers kept on enjoying their amazing day together with us. Another great hit of the day was the unique Breastfeeding World tattoo by Lissette Paz – Glitter Madness
Special thanks to Alexia Garcia’s team over at Alegares Photography: Christian & Marlon Garcia (Yes, her -amazing & super supportive- brothers) for capturing the day through your artistic eyes.
Last but not least, thank you to our Contributors & All Star Donators who made this year’s event unforgettable for everyone!
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NYC Gold Contributors
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NYC Silver Contributor
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Bronze Contributors
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All Star Donators (Companies that donated to all three events!)
[left]Bessies Best: Lactation Cookies
The places you’ll feed – Lauren Belden
Sally Weans from night nursing – Leslie Mitchell
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Join us in remembering this amazing day, enjoy a few pictures below taken by Alexia Garcia and her team at Alegares Photography.
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- A few of our Advocates during our Family Picnic in Bryant Park – Photo by Alegares Photography
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- Breastfeeding World Advocates right before the Big Latch On started
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- Dan Cantonese – The Music Man
Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to be up to date with the progress of our project!
And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our HT #BreastfeedingWorld
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A photography project founded in late 2014 by Alexia Garcia, photographer a Alegares Photography. Breastfeeding World aims to promote breastfeeding and encourage new moms to nurse their babies through the art of photography and story telling.
