The health and emotional benefits of breastfeeding will be celebrated by Bay of Plenty mothers and thousands more from around New Zealand this Friday.

Part of World Breastfeeding Week which runs from August 1-7, the Big Latch On is a global event where groups of mothers around the country and the world will simultaneously breastfeed their babies in public in a bid to normalise the practice as part of everyday life.

The Big Latch On is taking place this Friday at four locations in the Bay of Plenty. Pictured: Mothers taking part in the Big Latch On at Matapihi's Hungahungatoroa Marae in 2014. File Photo.

The event, which will be taking place in Katikati, Rotorua, Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki this Friday, also aims to encourage the formation of support networks between breastfeeding women.

Toi Te Ora Public Health Service recommends mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months and then continue to breastfeed along with the introduction of solid foods, says Medical Officer of Health Dr Neil de Wet.

'Breastfeeding provides many important health benefits for the mother and child,” he explains.

'Breastfed babies have less chance of getting diarrhoea and vomiting illnesses and of developing chest and ear infections.”

Women who cannot make it down to an event this Friday but still want to take part can participate online by posting breastfeeding selfies with the hashtag #BigLatchOnNZ via the Big Latch On Facebook page.

BAY OF PLENTY BIG LATCH ON EVENTS – FRIDAY, AUGUST 5:

Katikati:

• Katikati Midwives – 14 Jocelyn Street, Katikati.
• Contact: Trudy Hart on 07-549-5644 or [email protected]
• Times: Gather at 10am, latch on at 10.30am.

Rotorua:

• The Arts Village – 1240 Hinemaru Street, Rotorua
• Contact: Amy Wray on 027-405-8191 or [email protected]
• Times: Gather at 10am for registrations, runs until 1.30pm.

Whakatāne:

• Whakatāne District Library – 49 Kakahoroa Drive, Whakatāne.
• Contact: Eleanore McDonald on 021-421-616 or [email protected]
• Times: Gather at 9:45am.

Ōpōtiki:

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• Hot Bread Shop Café – 43 St John Street, Ōpōtiki
• Contact: Krystal Mokomoko on 027-930-2142 or [email protected]
• Times: Gather from 9.30am, runs until 12pm.

For more information about Big Latch On events and World Breastfeeding Week visit: www.ttophs.govt.nz/breastfeeding_week or www.womens-health.org.nz