Big Latch On 2019 Recap

On Saturday, August 3, 2019, the Binational Breastfeeding Coalition (BBC) hosted the 8th Annual Big Latch On at Bassett Place (El Paso, Texas, USA). In the spirit of working bi-nationally, BBC members from the NaSer organization in Ciudad Juárez simultaneously hosted the event at Parque Central (Cd. Juárez, Chih, MX). The local Big Latch On is held in tandem with worldwide synchronized efforts to bring awareness to the importance and benefits of breastfeeding. (For more information about the Global Big Latch On, visit biglatchon.org.)

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. Juárez broadcast and print media who helped promote the Big Latch On. It was also great to be able to greet each other over the big screen provided for us by CONN’S APPLIANCES!

Thank you El Paso - Cd. Juárez, for positively supporting breastfeeding in a public place while embracing it as a normal part of day-to-day life. The BBC is proud to join with our sisters and brothers on both sides of the border and celebrate mothers and babies wherever they are born and wherever they live. Onward to 2020!

Total Attendance in El Paso, TX = 205

• Total number of latches = 57 Babies (1 set of twins)

• Total number of breastfeeding women = 56

• Supporters and other attendees = 92

Total Attendance in Cd. Juárez, Chih. = 356

• Total number of latches = 89 Babies

• Total number of breastfeeding women = 89

• Supporters and other attendees = 178

Total Attendance for 2019 = 561

Apoyo Psicológico en NaSer / Psychological support at NaSer

Nos complace anunciar que la Psicóloga Lucero Arreola se a unido a nuestro equipo. Dará ayuda psicológica de Lunes a Viernes, de 5 a 7 pm con cita.

We are very happy to announce that Psychologist Lucero Arreola has joined our team. She will provide services Monday thru Friday, from 5-7pm with appointment.

NaSer Acompañamiento Perinatal
7704 Calle Centeno, Granjero, Cd. Juárez, Chih., Mexico

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Message in regard to our event on August 3, 2019

To our BBC members and supporters,

We had a wonderful event yesterday, and we will give you the numbers shortly.

But before that, we'd like to express both our gratitude for your participation and sadness over how our event was affected by the terrible shootings at a nearby store. As many of you are aware, we were winding down as the police entered Bassett and asked us to shelter under tables and in safe spaces. That was a frightening moment. Lots of people from our event were still there and we saw mothers and babies, dads, grandmothers, children and others scurrying to safety. Of course, as it turned out there was not a gunman at Bassett.

Because of the disturbance, however, many people left items in the mall or at their tables. Please feel free to contact Bassett Security if you are looking for something: the number is 915-274-9828. The mall was locked all night and we were assured that all of the items were secured. It's open today.

Thank you for all you did yesterday, we saw so many of you helping each other and strangers. 💝 As our community heals we send you all hugs and good wishes.

Sincerely,
Libby, Loretta, Rosalba and Ernie

“What they didn’t teach you about breastfeeding in your training” with Dr. Jack Newman (2019 Breastfeeding Lecture Series “Look Who’s Talking”)

It was once said, “It takes a village to raise a family”, and in that same manner it takes a village to host a lecture with Dr. Jack Newman. It was true collaboration to host such a renowned expert in the field of lactation. Dr. Newman spoke to a room of 65 attendees, at El Paso Health’s office on the evening of June 18, 2019.

The lecture was well attended by a wide variety of lactation professionals all gathered in one place with the same agenda: to improve support for breastfeeding women and babies by learning from the dozens of brilliant video clips from Dr. Newman’s decades of practice.

Dr. Jack Newman is a Canadian-born pediatrician. He is a world famous author, lecturer and teacher. He spoke to an enthusiastic crowd of nurses, speech language pathologists, doulas, IBCLCs, CLCs, neonatologists, pediatricians, dentists, and dieticians, from El Paso, New Mexico and Ciudad Juárez, México.

As is typical for El Paso/Juárez hospitality, Dr. Jack Newman was presented with several gifts. He received a thank you plaque commemorating this event from Dr. Myriam Herrera and the BBC. He also received a basket of traditional Mexican candy donated by Dr. Karla del Bosque, from NaSer in Ciudad Juárez.  Dr. Prashant Joshi from El Paso Children’s Hospital also received a plaque and a basket of Mexican candy in recognition of the help he gave in facilitating Dr. Newman’s lecture.

The evening ended with a presentation to Dr. Newman of a beautiful painting by Patricia Beckmann, an artist well known in Mexico. The painting depicts a half woman/half Catrina breastfeeding two babies, (representing the U.S. and Mexico) with the Franklin Mountains in the background and the star on the mountain where her heart would be. The painting is entitled, “La Unión Sigue Adelante: Es Amor”. It is breathtakingly beautiful and a powerful statement.

Finally, the Binational Breastfeeding Coalition would like to enthusiastically thank all the partners who made this one-of-a-kind lecture possible: El Paso Health, Envision of UNM’s Department of Pediatrics, and Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso Department of Pediatrics.

Concurso de Fotografía

Concurso de Fotografía “Lactancia materna, más que alimentar, es amar”

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"Sisters on the Border" Presentation

On Nov. 8 in Albuquerque NM, The Binational Breastfeeding Coalition (BBC) along with New Mexico WIC Breastfeeding on the Border Project, were invited to present at the New Mexico Hospitals and Clinics Maternity and Infant Care Summit. This year’s theme was “Bridging the Gap”. The BBC presented “Sisters on the Border” highlighting the collaboration between the 2 organizations.

Emphasis at the conference was placed on the BBC Lecture Series, Look Who’s Talking, as well as New Mexico’s Breastfeeding on the Border Project’s promotora project. Conference presenters explained that traveling from El Paso, Anthony, Chaparral, Sunland Park, and Ciudad Juarez to other major Texas and New Mexico cities is costly and time consuming. The “Sisters on the Border” presentation explained how our two organizations banded together to bring education to us at a fraction of the cost without compromising quality.

The Summit was well attended by 100 providers from New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Kansas and Tennessee. BBC had the opportunity to network with the planning committee, which may provide opportunity for future collaboration.

Please take a minute to look at the graphic artist’s interpretation of one of many sessions of “Bridging the Gap”.

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.