Counties Manukau District Health Board has begun working with the Franklin District Council to improve regional breastfeeding rates through local leadership, planning and policy.

Currently the Franklin District Council is looking at how to make community facilities more family-focussed through its draft Social Wellbeing Policy. This includes making council spaces breastfeeding friendly.

As part of bringing attention to breastfeeding as a normal healthy activity and to gain a wider acceptance and knowledge around breastfeeding in our community Franklin women are also invited to help break the New Zealand record for the Most Women Breastfeeding simultaneously by participating in the 2009 “Big Latch Ons”.

On Friday 7th August “Big Latch On’s” will be held nationwide with the Auckland region holding one large event at the Hoyts Cinema Complex in Sylvia Park from 10.00 am with the “Latch On” countdown at 10.30am. 

Smaller hubs of activity are happening in other local centres and are a great way to meet other breastfeeding mums. Anyone interested in forming a Franklin activity to support the Big Latch On should contact www.womens-health.org.nz

Information and practical support for Franklin mothers can be sought from Midwives and all WellChild providers, or from  their family doctor or practice nurse.  Plunket, South Seas and Papakura Marae provide dedicated WellChild services in Franklin and some services are also available through the Hauora Marae Franklin programme.

For more details about the Big Latch On please contact Womens Health Action Trust on 09 5205295 or email info   "at" womens-health.org.nz