On August 4th we celebrated our 4th annual Big Latch ON in the heart of New York City. Twenty -five breastfeeding mothers took over Times Square once again. This year’s event was far more special than all the previous ones for one very particular reason: it was pouring.
During the past four years of Breastfeeding World hosting the most iconic Big Latch On in Times Square and our family gatherings in Bryant Park we have been very lucky with the weather.
Almost every year the forecast says rain and because of the nature of the latch on we always decide to do it rain or shine. Our past events have been a real success and both parents and kiddos have enjoyed themselves very much. This year was no different except for the fact that we had a torrential downpour.
Empowering women lead with example and clear actions
Rain did not stop New York City mothers from coming together. Starting 9:30 am we congregated mothers to join us at the TKTS steps in Times Square, together with our team of volunteers we joined them hoping that the rain would clear.
We knew for a fact that many who had planned on coming to our iconic big latch on were not going to be able to make it due to the weather conditions but we were hopeful.
“The rain isn’t stopping me!!!” – Samantha Flores
“We will be there, a little rain won’t scare us away.” – Jessica Hertzog
Despite the many setbacks that included train delays and more, these 25 New York City moms with their babes and other family members joined us to make history once again.
Our iconic Big Latch On was really meant to be
At approximately 10:05 am the rain cleared to allow us to host the actual latch on. With the guidance of our founder, Alexia Garcia and her Alegares Photography team our beautiful, strong and empowering breastfeeding mothers took over Times Square and came together right in front of the TKTS to join the global count of breastfeeding women worldwide.
“We are extremely proud of all our NYC moms who joined us in our 4th Annual NYC Big Latch On. We are extremely grateful to these women/mothers who, despite of the pouring rain, came down to be a part of the historic count!
For the mamas who couldn’t make it or who didn’t get there on time, you know you were with us in spirit, we represented you all with love! This was MEANT to be and we DID it! This was EMPOWERMENT at its finest!” – Alexia Garcia, Breastfeeding World Founder
By 10:45 am it started drizzling once again giving us the queue to take cover under the nearest awning right before the next downpour. Although we did our very best to make it to Bryant Park for our well known and enjoyed family gathering it was not possible and we had to say our goodbye shortly after the latch.
It was extremely rewarding getting to know each and everyone of our attendees, seeing them smile and most importantly, seeing how strong, passionate and encouraging they all were. It’s been a please throughout these past 4 years seeing little ones grow and families extend but it has been amazing having new families joining us as well.
Our breastfeeding mothers took over Times Square, will it happen again?
As you may all know by now, the New York Post was the media outlet that sent out a photographer and reporter to our event. When we got their phone call inquiring about our 4th annual NYC Big Latch On we were excited to have them join us. However, after the latch-on happened they posted their article and to our surprise it was very misleading.
“Dozens of Moms stage Breastfeeding PROTEST in Times Square”.
That is the headline. That is description of mainstream media regarding public breastfeeding at the NYC Big Latch On event we had this past Saturday. And that is unfortunately the perspective of our society. (To read their article click here)
As moms and breastfeeding advocates, having conversations with others who disagree with nursing in public can go two ways: it can become an educational moment or an argument. We prefer to have dialogue for education, which is the whole purpose of Breastfeeding World and our participation in the Big Latch On.
Let us use this article to share that we are no longer “protesting” for breastfeeding rights or nursing in public, because if you haven’t yet heard, US law has finally passed in all 50 states to protect the NATURAL rights of mothers from being charged with indecent exposure when nursing in public spaces.
Instead, we’re using this article to show that even though we have achieved the support of our government to protect mom and her baby’s right to feed in public spaces and in the work place, there is still much work to be done in making breastfeeding in public the NORM in society.
We’ve made so much progress, let’s keep it going so that our children can breastfeeding without scrutiny, so that other moms can feel confident in their choice to breastfeeding where they please, so that we can have less ignorant comments towards breastfeeding mothers.
What is our response to this article headline? We’re sharing our move with our Facebook group members. And it’s going to be BIG. Join your Breastfeeding World mama tribe in your region today, let’s get the action started!
Breastfeeding World – Empowering Southeast Communities
Breastfeeding World – Empowering Mid West Communities
Breastfeeding World – Empowering Northeast Communities
Breastfeeding World – Empowering West Coast & Pacific Communities
Breastfeeding World – Empowering Central & South West Communities
If you wish to join our movement this upcoming September 16th in Times Square for a REAL demonstration of breastfeeding love signup HERE. We plan on having our Bryant Park family event that had to be cancelled during our last Latch On as well!. Invite your mama friends, your breastfeeding peers, all the nursing advocates you may know; we will have empowering goodie bags for the first 100 mamas who register.
Most importantly we will make a difference one more, in the very heart of the world: New York City.
All photos of the NYC Big Latch On where taken by the Alegares Photography team. Please contact them for any un-watermarked images: www.alegares.com
2018 Breastfeeding World’s sponsors
We have so much love for our Platinum Sponsor @KindredBravely! Through the Spring and Summer they have sponsored our Breastfeeding Photoshoots and provided every guest with a nursing pad in our swag bag and each Big Latch On location with an amazing raffle prize for a mom! Find out more about them at Kindredbravely.com
@cookiesformilknyc cookies are full of all the right ingredients and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Head to their website to read about the 5 galactogogues in their cookies. www.cookiesformilk.com. Cookies for Milk is a Diamond sponsor for Breastfeeding World’s multi-city Big Latch Ons! You were able to find awesome goodies from their line in every Swag Bag!
We loved having @fabulanebulae as our Gold Sponsors for our Seattle and Martha’s Vineyard Big Latch Ons! The Salve to Quiet the Storm was the first product Fabula Nebulae created, in the family’s search for a natural product to heal their children’s skin. The Quiet Storm is a soothing and calming concoction that is the base for all of Fabula Nebulae’s natural, fair trade products to meet every family’s needs!
What are your tips for saving every last drop of milk? For breastfeeding moms, we all know that leaky boob syndrome will happen at any time, any where. Thank goodness for Milk Savers from @fairhaven_health! As a Double Gold Sponsor for our multi-city Big Latch Ons, Moms in Seattle and New York City Big Latch Ons will have a chance to win one Fairhaven Health Prize pack, which includes Milk Savers! Tag a mom who needs this now! Get more from Fairhaven Health at FairhavenHealth.com
We’re so excited to announce @mollychanson as our Gold Sponsor for Breastfeeding World’s New York City Big Latch On! Molly is the designer and founder of Soulma, an urban women’s clothing brand that fits and flatters women in all stages of their life, including motherhood! Check out more of Molly’s awesome urban line at Soulma.com, plus enter to win an amazing 3-piece gift when you make a purchase using the code “SOULSUMMER” and save 20% as an added perk!
@mrspatels is a Gold Sponsor for Seattle’s Big Latch On event! We’re so excited to have them on board. Mrs. Patel’s lactation treats and teas are an awesome addition for moms who are looking for options to get the best nutrients in while building milk supply. You can check out more at www.mrsmilk.com!
All Star Donators
I’m a proud mom to a beautiful little girl who is the reason of all my smiles | Creator and founder of the Breastfeeding World Project – passionate about normalizing breastfeeding | Professional photographer serving New York City
