Moms call attention to nursing benefits

GREEN BAY - With a greater push toward healthier children, area moms came together this weekend in a public demonstration to show that nursing is normal.

And they were taking part in an international effort aimed at raising awareness about breast-feeding.

Two dozen mothers gathered at Whitney Park in Green Bay Saturday morning, feeding their children in the way they say is the most natural way they know.

"We're just trying to make nursing normal. That this is a normal, everyday activity that people do," said Kimberly Gunn, a mom of three and a lactation consultant.

The Big Latch On, as they called it, was participated in around the world for International Breastfeeding Week.

"We're hoping to break a world record this year,” said Ashley Armstrong with La Leche League of Green Bay.

This gathering was sponsored through the Brown County Breast-feeding Coalition and La Leche, to promote the benefits of breast-feeding. The large demonstration of public breast-feeding was the first of its kind in Green Bay.

"Health reasons number one,” said Armstrong, as for why she breast-feeds. “It's best for baby. It's way more affordable, obviously it doesn't cost anything. And it's better for the earth. It doesn't leave a carbon footprint."

This generation of moms says it's getting back to basics by breast-feeding babies. However, they say not everyone in the community has been supportive.

"People tell you to move, and you shouldn't have to,” said Gunn.

Others we spoke to out in the community say they support a mother's choice to breast-feed. However, they feel discretion should be used when nursing in public.

"I would say it's uncomfortable sometimes. In the mall some of them do it, but they're not that conscious of it or whatever,” said Dorothy Kosner of Green Bay, who said formula was pushed a few generations ago when she was a new mom.

But these mothers say the attitudes towards nursing have started to change.

"I think our community overall is pretty supportive of breast-feeding moms,” said Armstrong.

It’s something breast-feeding advocates say will help support a healthier generation of children.

The International Big Latch On 2012 surpassed the 2011 record. There was a total breastfeeding children 8717 in  626 locations in 23 countries. That's more than 3000 additional children from last year's total.

Former Governor Jim Doyle signed a law in 2010 granting mothers in Wisconsin the right to breast-feed in public places.

For more information about breast-feeding support in the Green Bay area, click here .