Paoli Hospital to Participate in Global ‘Big Latch On’ Event Marking World Breastfeeding Week

Paoli Hospital is hosting its own “The Big Latch On,” Friday, August 2, 10:30am in the Potter Room, as part of the celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, August 1 to 7.  Attendees will join breastfeeding women and their babies/children from 120 countries around the world who will be participating in the synchronized event. Organized by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, the week marks the signing of the WHO/UNICEF document Innocenti Declaration, which lists the benefits of breastfeeding, plus global and governmental goals.

“This event is a wonderful opportunity for women in our community who are breastfeeding to come together and offer support to each other,” said Donna Sinnott, Lactation Consultant at Paoli Hospital and Chairperson of the Main Line Health Lactation Committee. “Paoli Hospital has one of the highest initiation rates for breastfeeding in the state and is recognized for its efforts to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. We are happy to be a part of this international program.”

Paoli Hospital recently received the distinguished International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Care Award from the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA). Paoli Hospital was one of 12 hospitals in Pennsylvania and one of 277 hospitals world-wide to receive this award.

The Big Latch On event is hosted by Nursing Mothers Alliance and sponsored by Pediatrician Josh Rabinowitz, DO, and the Advocare Newborn Network, in association with Main Line Health’s Nursery and Lactation Committees.  Registration begins at 9:45am. Following the event, participants can stay and mingle with other moms and ask questions of the Nursing Mothers Alliance breastfeeding counselors until 11:30am.

For more information about The Big Latch On, contact Kathy Lopez, president, Nursing Mothers Alliance, at nursingmothersalliance@yahoo.com, 267-290-8418. For information about Paoli Hospital and Main Line Health’s breastfeeding and lactation support services, and for a schedule of the Prenatal Breastfeeding Classes and Breastfeeding Support Group meetings, visit mainlinehealth.org/breastfeeding.