Daytona Beach, Fla. - On Saturday, August 6, Volusia County mothers and “mothers to be” will join others across the world for the Global Big Latch On to promote breastfeeding. The annual event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Florida Department of Health (DOH) in Volusia County’s Daytona Beach location, 1845 Holsonback Drive.

“Breastfeeding mothers and their children need support from their families, friends, communities, clinicians and employers,” said DOH-Volusia Administrator Patricia Boswell. “At this event, collectively we’ll raise awareness and promote breastfeeding as a normal activity for mothers and their children.”

Mothers will come together to breastfeed during the Latch On. The event also will offer vendors, face painting, juggling and a reading corner provided by Volusia County Library Services. Pregnant women, mothers, and their support groups are encouraged to attend this no-cost public event.

“It is critical that we support breastfeeding,” Boswell said. “It is one of the most effective measures a mother can take to protect the health of her infant.”

Community acceptance and support is needed to improve the health of children and women around the world, according to the event host biglatchon.org. Women’s Health Action started the event in New Zealand in 2005.

Information on the Florida Healthy Babies Program is online at volusiahealth.com .

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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