Little suckers happy to help make it normal

Breastfeeding mothers and babies took over the Wanganui District Council chambers yesterday.

They were participating in the Latch On campaign that ran in conjunction with World Breast Feeding Week.

At 10.30am babies throughout New Zealand were encouraged to latch on to their mums in an effort to normalise breastfeeding in public.

Awhi Kingi, nutrition and physical activity health promoter at the Whanganui District Health Board, provided the countdown.

"Breastfeeding is becoming a lot more accepted as a whole and at the end of the day it's what's best for our babies" Ms Kingi said.

She told the Chronicle that an accreditation process was available for businesses or organisations to be classified as Breastfeeding Friendly (BFF).

Members so far included the council, the Wanganui District Library, YMCA, Plunket and Oggies Cafe.

For nursing mothers, she said, it was reassuring to know that those establishments provided a room and amenities needed for breastfeeding.

The accreditation process was simple and anyone interested in finding out more was encouraged to contact Ms Kingi at the WDHB.

Upon leaving the event, mothers were invited to take home and plant an apple tree.

The trees had been donated by the Whanganui Regional Primary Health Organisation.