We are gifting the Global Big Latch On concept and resources to you. Communities can hold local events on dates and times that work for their members. 

We are still working out how the count will be recorded - more news soon.

Search social media for events near you, dates and times will vary.

The Global Big Latch On aims to protect, promote & support families by:

• Supporting communities to identify and grow opportunities to provide ongoing breastfeeding support and promotion in local communities.
• Raising awareness of breastfeeding support and knowledge that is available locally and globally.
• Helping communities positively support breastfeeding in public places.
• Making breastfeeding, alongside all forms of infant feeding, a normal part of day-to-day life at a local community level.
• Increasing support for parents who breastfeed.
• Ensuring communities have the resources to advocate for coordinated, appropriate, and accessible breastfeeding support services.

The Global Big Latch On is compliant with the WHO international code for marketing Breast-Milk substitutes. 

This means that we do not accept donations including funds or gifts from manufacturers or distributors of breast-milk substitutes, related equipment such as feeding bottles and teats/artificial nipples, or commercial foods marketed for children under six months.

If you are hosting an event you must comply with this code.

Link to: WHO International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes

Any individual, organization, community group or company interested in promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding may host a Global Big Latch On. We no longer have global registration for locations. We are working on a way to collect annual numbers of participants.

If you are hosting an event you must comply with the WHO International Code of Marketing Breastmilk Substitutes.

In a backyard, at a playground, in a park, at a beach, in a local meeting room, at a civic center, in a hospital, health center, coffee shop, workplace, online/virtually, wherever you want to meet!

Given this is a global event, your location can be anywhere in the world.

If you are based in New Zealand and wanting to host an event, please register via the New Zealand website: blo.org.nz 

Here are some considerations, practical ideas and protective measures for hosting an event.

1. What dates and times work for your community? 
2. Will your event be public or private?
3. How many people do you expect to join your event? Who will help you?
4. Where will you hold your event? Will you have to pay to use the location?
5. Have a weather plan? what if its too hot, too cold, raining...
6. How will you promote your event? social media, posters, word of mouth
7. What will you need with you on the day? sign in sheets, pens, activities
8. How will you keep the event safe? Do you need insurance?
9. Consider how and when you will count your number of participants.

Here are some considerations, practical ideas and protective measures for hosting a virtual event.

1. What video conferencing platform will you use?
2. How many people do you expect to join your event?
3. How much will it cost you to use it?
4. Do you want a chat room function?
5. Do you need screen share function?
6. Will it be a private event for a group of people that you know?
7. Remember to set up your virtual event link, and add it into your registration form.

You should use a password or PIN system for accessing the virtual link to your event. We recommend that you don’t distribute this widely until closer to your event to prevent it being shared outside of your participant group. Also don’t give your host login details to anyone else.

Once you have everyone at the event, you should ‘lock’ your event so that security cannot be breached. Consider how and when you will count your number of participants.

For support from other hosts please join the Global Big Latch On Host Facebook group.

We will share host resources via social media.

Previous years resources will be loaded into the Facebook groups for the public and hosts.

• Women’s Health Action started the Big Latch On in New Zealand, in 2005.
• Joanne Edwards (Small Beginnings Group, LLC) introduced the Big Latch On to Portland, Oregon in 2010.
• In 2011, Annie Brown and members of Le Leche League USA worked with Joanne to grow the Big Latch On across the USA.
• Women’s Health Action and the Big Latch On Global Coordinator Joanne Edwards of Small Beginnings Group, LLC joined forces in 2012.
• As of 2023, the Global Big Latch On is coordinated by the original Big Latch On founders Women’s Health Action.

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