FORT POLK, La. — The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action has designated Aug. 1-7 as World Breastfeeding Week. The annual event raises awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and the need for global support.

To mark the occasion, thousands of breastfeeding women and their babies across the world will gather in their communities Aug. 3 and 4 to take part in the Big Latch On, a synchronized breastfeeding event in multiple locations. Fort Polk’s Big Latch On will take place at the Warrior Community Center Aug. 3 at 10 a.m.

Breastfeeding contributes to the normal growth and development of babies and children, and children who are not breastfed are at increased risk of infant morbidity and mortality, adult obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and premenopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer (both mom and baby). The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a baby's life to optimize these benefits, continuing to breastfeed for two years and as long thereafter as is mutually desired by a woman and her child.

The first Big Latch On occured in Aotearoa, New Zealand in 2005, and has now taken off globally. It was introduced to Portland, Oregon, in 2010 by Joanne Edwards and in 2011, 5,687 women participated in the Global Big Latch On.

For more information contact Michelle Stucky, RN, at belle@gfacpas.com, www.biglatchon.org or (254) 338-8084.