Removing the stigma
TOWN OF WALLKILL – Nearly 50 nursing mothers banded together at Orange Regional Medical Center to celebrate the power of motherhood and stop the stigma against breastfeeding.
The Big Latch On event, which is held each year worldwide during National Breastfeeding Week, encourages women to gather around and nurse together for one day. The event has been held for four years at ormc.
“We are offering support for moms who are breastfeeding today,” said Debbie Vermilyea, the Nursing Director of the medical practice’s Rowley Family Birthing Center. “This event brings attention to the importance of breastfeeding; we are making it ok to breastfeed in public.”
A march around the center’s fitness trail was held before the official gathering. Mothers from the medical practice’s New Moms Support Group and around the area shared their thoughts on the significance of this event.
“It’s important to support women who nurse, especially with all the negative commentary in society,” said Karen Morris, a group member and art teacher from Valley Central High School. “It’s really good to normalize breastfeeding in our culture.”
Ashley Hamilton, a local mother who attended with her 6-month-old daughter Acelia, had this to say about society’s perception of breastfeeding.
“There is still this over-sexualization of female bodies in our culture,” she said. “It’s still a male-run world.”
To Kerri Scales, a mother of two who came with her nearly 5-month-old daughter Harper, this event signals “a coming together with other moms. We are celebrating the privilege of being able to provide for your child.”
The Global Big Latch On started in 2005 and had only two countries – The United States and New Zealand. Now, 28 countries are participating. Nearly 18,000 babies worldwide were fed last year alone.
