The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) division of the Galveston County Health District (GCHD) encourages breastfeeding mothers, their friends, family and community to participate in the Big Latch On event on Friday, August 4, 2017.

The annual event is an opportunity for mothers to come together at registered locations around the world to simultaneously breastfeed with tens of thousands of others.

“This event is a great opportunity to bring families together in support of breastfeeding,” said GCHD WIC breastfeeding peer counselor Tamara Moody. “Our hope is to increase breastfeeding rates in our county, normalize breastfeeding and support our mothers no matter the length of time of their breastfeeding journey.”

The GCHD event will be held at the Mid-County Annex in Texas City on Friday, August 4, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The latch on begins at 10:30 a.m. but participants should arrive by 10 a.m. to properly register for the worldwide count. The event will include free activities for children, including crafts, face painting and games.

The Big Latch on is held during National Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7. Nearly 18,000 woman participated in the 2016 event, representing 758 locations in 28 countries.

WHAT: Big Latch On

WHEN: Friday, August 4, 2017; 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; latch on at 10:30 a.m. (participants should arrive by 10 a.m.)

WHERE: Mid-County Annex Community Room (A-104); 9850-A Emmett F. Lowry Expy in Texas City

WHO: Breastfeeding mothers, their friends, family and community

QUESTIONS: 409-949-3471