Big Latch On / Gran Lactada 2018

Photography by Emilio Holguin, Surfing Penguin

August of 2018 was a very dynamic month for breastfeeding in the Paso del Norte Region. The Binational Breastfeeding Coalition (BBC) organized the 7th annual “Big Latch On” (BLO) and partnered with Southern New Mexico and Ciudad Juárez to conduct breastfeeding awareness activities during the month. This was an example of true binational collaboration, joining forces to create a greater impact in the community to normalize breastfeeding.

The Global Big Latch On events took place at registered locations around the world, where mothers gather together to breastfeed and offer peer support to each other. Their friends, family and community join in this celebration to promote and support breastfeeding.

The global event was held in 778 different locations in 28 countries. This synchronized breastfeeding event was part of World Breastfeeding Week which supports and celebrates breastfeeding families.

The BBC held the Big Latch On on Saturday, August 4 at Bassett Place (6101 Gateway Blvd. West in El Paso, Texas). The event was promoted during months prior via website and social media, television and radio interviews, and poster distribution throughout El Paso, Texas, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua and Las Cruces, New Mexico.

BBC members made presentations and announcements at partner coalitions' meetings and promoted the BLO and breastfeeding at community events. A social media photo campaign was also utilized (Facebook page www.facebook.com/Border-Breastfeeding-BBC).

At the Big Latch On, mothers and their families received health information from twenty five local health agencies. Representatives from the three sister cities' Health Departments gave a message to mothers regarding the importance of breastfeeding and the great contribution each mother is making to the health of future generations.

Breastfeeding mothers and babies were joined by their support networks (husbands, partners, significant others, mothers, father’s siblings, children, family and friends). The event truly demonstrates the viability of breastfeeding culture.

A total of 58,060 people registered at Global Big Latch On locations to support breastfeeding and 20,184 children breastfed during the one-minute count.

At the El Paso BLO, 64 breastfeeding mothers participated, 111 supporters were present to witness, and 87 children breastfed during the one-minute count, making a total attendance of 262. Although twin babies were present, the event had returning mothers that have continued nursing for more than one year. This is one of the goals of the BBC.

This year, Ciudad Juarez, Chih., MX and Las Cruces, NM conducted breastfeeding activities along with El Paso's BLO. The total amount of breastfeeding babies during the one minute count for the Paso del Norte Region added up to 135, breaking last year’s record.

Synopsis of “Breastfeeding in the Millennial Age,” the second in the 2018 Breastfeeding Educational Series, “Look Who’s Talking”

On June 22, 2018, seventy-seven registrants attended our second lecture, “Breastfeeding in the Millennial Age”. The speaker was Ms. Laurel Wilson, an internationally known lecturer with decades of experience in speaking, scores of publications and a speaking style that appeals to many different providers. Ms. Wilson, IBCLC, BS, CCCE, CLE, CLD is the co-author of two books, The Greatest Pregnancy Ever and The Attachment Pregnancy (both available on Amazon).

The June 22 special conference day featured two lectures, “Breastmilk: Epigenetics and the Microbiome,” and “Up in Smoke: The Impact of Marijuana on Babies During Breastfeeding.” These lectures offered 4 hours of continuing education credit for IBCLCs, RNs, Social Workers, and CHWs.

The day started with a light continental breakfast at the Sunland Park Casino conference room overlooking the Juárez Mountains in México. After everyone registered and enjoyed breakfast, the first lecture started. A fabulous lunch was offered to both meat eaters and vegetarians, then all enjoyed the afternoon lecture. An online evaluation was provided to all and after the results were analyzed, an astonishing unanimous positive review was enjoyed! Everyone agreed that lectures of this caliber are sorely needed in this region and all look forward to the next offering.

The day was the result of a collaboration between The Binational Breastfeeding Coalition and Amamantar Fronterizo / Breastfeeding on the Border. We are extremely grateful to Breastfeeding on the Border for providing funding for this watershed event for breastfeeding professionals here on the Texas-New Mexico-México border. 

Keep checking our website for further amazing offerings by the BBC/ Breastfeeding on the Border to come in early 2019.

Synopsis of “Tongue Snippin’: A Life Changing Event,” the first in the 2018 Breastfeeding Educational Series, “Look Who’s Talking”

(en español)

“Tongue Snippin’: A Life Changing Event,” was held on April 18, 2018 at 1140 N. St. Vrain, in El Paso, Texas, from 6-8pm. Dr. Alfred Marquez, Jr., DDS, presented an overwhelming set of slides taking the audience from the early development of mammals through to our current wave of breastfeeding mothers. Dr. Marquez outlined the adult consequences of, as a baby, having had an oral restriction such as Tongue Tie, Lip Tie, and high palate. He carefully demonstrated the many potential consequences of unrecognized restrictions such as malocclusion, sleep apnea, mouth breathing, ADHD, even bed wetting in children who were breathing differently due to a restriction. We particularly liked it when Dr. Marquez referred to breastfeeding as “Nature’s Dental Appliance”!

We were thrilled to host over 50 Registered Nurses, Lactation Consultants, Dietitians, Dentists, Speech Language Pathologists, Social Workers, Doulas, Community Health Workers and Midwives. The audience included several babies and children and many of the members of the Binational Breastfeeding Coalition who volunteered their time to make this event a success. Many members brought snacks for the crowd, others donated time, supplies, and irreplaceable expertise.

It was roundly deemed a success in that we surpassed our goal of 40 pre-registered attendees with a total of 52. We also offered a discount to students who weren’t looking for the Continuing Education Credits. We offered 2 hours of CNEs for Nurses provided by University Medical Center at El Paso’s Nursing Education Department, and our International board certifying agency, IBLCE or International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners verified this event for 2 hours of L-CERPs.  

We would like to thank Dr. Alfred Marquez, DDS for generously donating all the time he dedicated to preparing and presenting this lecture! Thank you, Dr. Marquez, and thank you BBC members for beginning the lecture series “Look Who’s Talking” with a smash!

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Resúmen de “Tongue Snippin’: A Life Changing Event,” La Primer Conferencia En Nuestra Serie Educativa Sobre La Lactancia “Look Who’s Talking” (Mira Quien Habla) del 2018

La conferencia “Tongue Snippin’: A Life Changing Event” se llevó a cabo el 18 de abril del 2018 en el 1140 N. St. Vrain, en El Paso, TX, de las 6pm-8pm. El Dr. Alfred Márquez, Jr., DDS, presentó una enorme colección de diapositivas que llevó a la audiencia desde el desarrollo temprano de los mamíferos hasta la oleada actual de madres lactantes. El Dr. Marquez destacó las consecuencias en la edad adulta que experimentan aquellos que en su infancia tuvieron restricciones orales tales como Lengua Trabada, hipertrofia del frenillo del labio superior, y paladar alto. Demostró cuidadosamente las muchas consecuencias potenciales de restricciones no reconocidas como maloclusión, apnea del sueño, respiración por la boca, ADHD (Desorden de Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad), y hasta incontinencia urinaria nocturna en los niños. ¡Particularmente nos agradó que el Dr. Márquez se refiriera a la lactancia como “El Aparato Dental de la Naturaleza”!

Nos encantó ser anfitriones de más de 50 enfermeros(as) registrados(as), asesores de lactancia, nutricionistas, dentistas, patólogos de lenguaje y habla (logopedas), trabajadores sociales, doulas, trabajadores de salud de la comunidad, y parteras(os). La audiencia incluyó varios bebés y niños y bastantes miembros de la Coalición Binacional de la Lactancia quienes dieron de su tiempo como voluntarios para que este evento fuera un éxito. Muchos miembros trajeron aperitivos para el grupo, otros donaron su tiempo, materiales, y pericia irremplazable.

El evento fue un rotundo éxito dado que sobrepasamos nuestra meta de tener 40 asistentes pre-registrados con un total de 52. También ofrecimos descuentos a aquellos estudiantes que no buscaban obtener créditos de Educación Continua. Ofrecimos dos horas de CNEs para enfermeros(as) provistos por University Medical Center en el Departamento de Educación de Enfermería de El Paso y nuestra agencia internacional de certificación del consejo, IBLCE o la Junta Internacional de Asesores Examinadores de Lactancia (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners) verificó este evento para 2 horas de L-CERPs.

¡Queremos agradecer al Dr. Alfred Márquez, DDS por generosamente donar todo el tiempo que dedicó a preparar y presentar esta conferencia! ¡Gracias, Dr. Márquez, y gracias a ustedes los miembros de la BBC por hacer del inicio de esta serie de conferencias “Look Who’s Talking” (Mira Quien Habla) todo un exitazo!

Big Latch On 2017 Recap

Photography courtesy of / Fotografía cortesía de
Mario Kaferni Fotografía

(en español)

On Saturday, August 5, 2017,  from 9:00AM-12:00PM at Basset Place (El Paso Texas), the Binational Breastfeeding Coalition (BBC) hosted the 6th Annual Big Latch On to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week. We are proud to say that our event was a huge success!

We would like to thank everyone who supported the event, from the businesses/organizations who allowed us to place posters at their establishments, to the volunteers who graciously gave their time. We would also like to thank all the El Paso and Cd. Juarez broadcast and print media who helped promote the Big Latch On.

Thank you to our community for positively supporting breastfeeding in a public place while embracing it as a normal part of day-to-day life.

Total Attendance = 399

• Total number of latches = 91 Babies (2 sets of twins)
• Total number of breastfeeding women = 89
• Total other children attending = 56
• Table staff = 40
• Volunteers = 13
• BBC members = 20
• Supporters w/moms = 90

Table and raffle sponsors:

• Dept. of Public Health of the City of EP – WIC
• The Desert Doula
• El Paso First Health Plan
• El Paso Dentistry For Kids
• Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe – WIC
• UTEP
• City of El Paso Dept. of Public Health
• Las Palmas Medical Center
• PediaMed Night Clinic
• AM Integrative Dental Care
• El Paso Pediatric Associates
• Desert Sun Chiropractic
• Bliss Birth Midwifery
• University Medical Center at El Paso
• The Retreat
• Association of Border Collaboratives(ABC)
• Star Kids Pediatric Dentistry
• V. Ramos Photography
• Texas Child Care licensing
• Nia Koreen Photography

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Resúmen de la Gran Lactada 2017

El sábado, 5 de agosto del 2017, de las 9:00AM-12:00PM en Bassett Place (El Paso, TX), la Coalición Binacional de la Lactancia (BBC por sus siglas en inglés) llevó a cabo la 6ta Anual Gran Lactada en celebración de la Semana de la Lactancia Mundial. ¡Nos orgullece decir que nuestro evento fue un gran éxito!

Quisiéramos agradecer a todos los que apoyaron este evento, desde los negocios/organizaciones que nos permitieron poner carteles en sus lugares de establecimiento, hasta los voluntarios que amablemente dieron de su tiempo. Además, queremos agradecer a todos los medios de transmisión e impresos que ayudaron en promover la Gran Lactada.

Gracias a nuestra comunidad por apoyar de manera positiva no solo la lactancia en un lugar público, sino también por aceptarla como algo normal y cotidiano.

Total de asistentes = 399

• Número total de lactantes = 91 bebés (2 pares de gemelos)
• Número total de madres lactantes = 89
• Total de niños(as) en asistencia = 56
• Personal de mesas = 40
• Voluntarios = 13
• Miembros de la BBC = 20
• Simpatizantes acompañando a madres = 90

Patrocinadores de mesas y rifa:

• Dept. of Public Health of the City of EP – WIC
• The Desert Doula
• El Paso First Health Plan
• El Paso Dentistry For Kids
• Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe – WIC
• UTEP
• City of El Paso Dept. of Public Health
• Las Palmas Medical Center
• PediaMed Night Clinic
• AM Integrative Dental Care
• El Paso Pediatric Associates
• Desert Sun Chiropractic
• Bliss Birth Midwifery
• University Medical Center at El Paso
• The Retreat
• Association of Border Collaboratives(ABC)
• Star Kids Pediatric Dentistry
• V. Ramos Photography
• Texas Child Care licensing
• Nia Koreen Photography

Breastfeeding Welcome Initiative Press Conference

On February 24, 2017 health officials, non-governmental agencies and community leaders form El Paso, Juarez and Las Cruces gathered at the Texas Department of State Health Services building for a press conference to launch the Breastfeeding Welcome Initiative developed by the Alliance of Border Collaboratives.

Invited speakers provided breastfeeding statistics and their experience with successful programs that contribute to create a breastfeeding culture here in the Paso del Norte region. Dr. Mary Anderson TDSHS provided the opening remarks with the message it takes a village to support a mother to breastfeed and we all are part of that village.

Astid Lara from the El Paso Department of Public Health WIC program provided insight on the program benefits and outcomes. Carlos Martinez Flores Share his breastfeeding experience as a husband supporting his wife, a father and a long standing leader in the education sector in Ciudad Juarez.

Elsa Cornejo summarized breastfeeding activities taking place in New Mexico as it related to Mother Friendly Hospitals and lactation experts that are available 24/7. New Mexico has shared their experience internationally they were invited to a conference in Guadalajara. Lissa Kundsen share with participants New Mexico experience with breastfeeding laws.

Libby Berkeley form the Binational Breastfeeding Coalition mentioned that BBC is a nonprofit organization with a mission statement that commits to border collaboration that conducts diverse activities to create breastfeeding support networks to help mothers to breastfeed. In order to accomplish this BBC partners with the Big Latch On, local Baby Cafés, La Leche League and Hospital de la Mujer in Juarez. The main areas of work include: awareness, health promotion, community engagement, education and research.

Rosalba Ruiz presented the Breastfeeding Welcome Initiative that created a breastfeeding welcome media campaign for mothers and their families to improve support for breastfeeding in public. This project will help to provide more comfortable, shame-free areas in El Paso businesses such as shopping venues, libraries, and restaurants for nursing mothers to have the freedom to be away from home longer and patronize businesses in their communities.

The press conference had an audience of more than 40 individuals from El Paso, Juarez and Las Cruces representing different sector: health, media, education, religious and business. The event was covered by print, radio and television media outlets.

The room was filled with enthusiasm with participants ready to collaborative to improve the future health of the border community. To view the media campaign materials and videos, please visit www.abc-ep.org.

The Big Latch On 2016

The Big Latch On is an international synchronized breastfeeding celebration held annually in conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week. More than 320 individuals attended the 5th Annual Big Latch On (BLO) organized by the Binational Breastfeeding Coalition (BBC).

The event took place at Bassett Place with registration starting at 9:00 am. This was a great opportunity for families to bond and set an example of how easy and beneficial it is to breastfeed. Children were playing and mothers shared experiences with other mothers and family. Supporting the event this year was Telemundo news anchor Karla Mariscal, serving as an MC and participating as a mother.

At 10:30 am MT, the Big Latch On occurred, with moms jointly breastfeeding their babies for one full minute in a loving, supportive environment. This year, the Big Latch On had 86 mothers and 86 infants latching. Attendees reported they felt they were making a difference by participating in an event that transcends borders and countries. “Being part of a world event is so awesome,” mentioned a father, who attended in support of his wife for a second consecutive year.

Efforts have multiplied since 2012, with Anthony, NM and Ciudad Juarez, MX also hosting their own BLO events this year. Support from the media and promotion by individuals and organizations helped spread the word for the event and the importance the Big Latch On holds.  

BLO by the numbers

• 2012 = 80 mothers participated locally (BBC event); 8,862 globally
• 2013  = 82 mothers participated locally (BBC event); 14,536 globally
• 2014 = 94 mothers participated locally (BBC event); 13,798 globally
• 2015 = 110 mothers participated locally (BBC event); 14,889 globally
• 2016 = 86 mothers participated locally (BBC event); 17,223 globally

Many promotional items and educational materials from partner agencies were included in the registration bags for breastfeeding moms. The majority of the items were contributed by the Texas Department of State Health Services/ Office of Border Health. Other partner agencies include Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe WIC, City of El Paso Dept. of Public Health WIC, El Paso First, Superior Health Care, Alliance for Border Collaboratives, West Texas Regional Poison Control Center, Ruben Torres Sr. and Nicke’s.

Following the BLO, donated gifts were raffled. Donors included: Lube & Tune (Jaime Parra), Lencho Guerra Photography, Star Medical, Dr. Michael Ponce, Amanda Monarez, Brenda Amador, La Fe WIC, Ameda, Ofelia O’Donnell, Undercover Mama, Bamboobies, Bailey, Bethany Mata, Avon, The Retreat, El Paso First, Alliance for Border Collaboratives, Sierra Providence East Breastfeeding Group, Nicke’s, and Matthew Manriquez.