The Big Latch on is back and bigger than ever this year. Started in New Zealand in 2005 and brought to Portland in 2010, the Big Latch On is an annual celebration of World Breastfeeding Week with an attempt to break the world record for the most mothers breastfeeding simultaneously. This year the event is a global partnership between the Portland-based Big Latch On and New Zealand’s Women’s Health Action. This is the first year the event will span two days so that families can participate on either a weekday or weekend depending on what works best for you. Nursing mothers and anyone who supports nursing mothers are welcome. At each registered location, witnesses will count all the mothers that have latched their babies on for one minute at 10:30am. There are currently over 400 locations in 18 countries and counting. You can find out more about World Breastfeeding Week and the Big Latch On, by visiting World Breastfeeding Week, or the Big Latch On.
This year, choose either Friday, August 3 or Saturday, August 4. Plan to be at your site by 10 to register. The count will take place promptly at 10:30 am. Here are some of the events we’ve heard about in and around Portland, OR. More are being added every day – so check here if you don’t see one that works for you, or host your own location – all it takes is at least two nursing mothers and two non-participating witnesses.
Below we have compiled information from the Big Latch On site – including location information, descriptions from the businesses and additional information. If we are missing anything, please contact us and let us know.
Friday, August 3 ~ Please Arrive by 10 am (unless otherwise noted)
SOUTHEAST
Eco Baby Gear
LOCATION: 2122 SE Division, Portland
DETAILS: Spielman Coffee Roasters will be providing fresh-baked bagels and, Columbia Gorge Juice Company will provide drinks
MORE INFO: 503-233-4167 |info@ecobabygear.com
NORTHEAST
Bella Stella
LOCATION: 2751 NE Broadway St., Portland
MORE INFO: 503-284-4636 | help@bellastellababy.com
NE La Leche League
LOCATION: Rose City Park the Playground, NE Thompson St & NE 62nd Ave, Portland
DETAILS: Bring a blanket and a snack to share.
MORE INFO: Merriah – 503-970-9554 | merriahfairchild@gmail.com
Small Beginnings Group
LOCATION: Columbia Park Annex @ 4355-4399 N Willamette Blvd, Portland
DETAILS: Meet by the swings and bring a blanket and something water proof just in case!
MORE INFO: biglatchon@smallbeginningsgroup.com
WESTSIDE
Baby Boot Camp-Beaverton
LOCATION: Tualatin Hills Parks & Rec Athletic Center, 15707 SW Walker Rd, Beaverton
DETAILS: Baby Boot Camp’s stroller fitness class is free on the day of the event. Meet by the bike racks outside the athletic center by 9am for the class . Or, to join the Big Latch on without doing the class first, meet at at 10am at the playground at Howard M. Terpenning Complex at the corner of Walker and 158th.
MORE INFO: Cindy Davidson – cmeteach@gmail.com
My Precious Kid
LOCATION: 633 SE Baseline St, Hillsboro
DETAILS: Prizes & more
MORE INFO: Kay Green - 503-693-2832 | kay@mypreciouskid.com
VANCOUVER
Sante Mama
LOCATION: 113 NE 92nd Ave., Vancouver
OREGON – BEYOND PDX METRO
ASHLAND
Family Massage Education Center
LOCATION: 1081 E Main St, Ashland
MORE INFO: JoAnn Lewis – 541-482-3567 | HelloFMEC@gmail.com.
NEWBERG
LLL Of Yamhill County Potluck in the Park
LOCATION: Jaquith Park – 1215 N College St, Newberg
DETAILS: Meet at the Pavillion next to the horseshoe pit. Bring a dish to share and join us for our potluck. Prizes, raffle, and a baby-wearing demonstration.
SALEM
Bella Vie’s Big Latch On in the Orchard
LOCATION: 13160 Jerusalem Hill Rd NW, Salem
DETAILS: Bring a blanket to sit on and a snack to share.
MORE INFO: Jen – 503-315-2229 | info@gentlebirthcenter.com
Little Bums n More
LOCATION: 3290 Liberty Rd S, Salem
DETAILS: Please bring a blanket or chair to sit on. Will have prizes.
MORE INFO: 971- 209-2867 | littlebumsnmore@gmail.com
ST. HELENS
Campbell Park
LOCATION: N Vernonia Rd & McMichael Ave, St Helens
Saturday, August 4 ~ Please Arrive by 10 am!
SOUTHEAST
Birthingway Breastfeeding Center
LOCATION: 12113 SE Foster Rd, Portland
MORE INFO: Jena Novotny - 503-760-3131 | jena@birthingway.edu
MotherTree Birth Services
LOCATION: 14146 SE Holgate Blvd, Portland
DETAILS: Take Holgate past the old Holgate Trailhead and take the right paved drive up to the big brown house. Bring a blanket and enjoy other families, chickens, goats, and horses.
MORE INFO: RSVP with Jesse at info@mothertreebirth.com
The Warehouse Cafe
LOCATION: 3434 SE Milwaukie Ave., Portland
DETAILS: Treats, prizes, and a family-friendly concert at 11 am with Bunny Lu and The Super-Happy-Fun-Time Crew. Songs and sing-a-longs, a little yoga and some hokey-pokey good times.
MORE INFO: 503-544-5196
Zenana Spa and Wellness Center
LOCATION: 2024 SE Clinton St., Portland
MORE INFO: 503-238-6262 | info@zenana-spa.com
SOUTHWEST
Andaluz Waterbirth Center
LOCATION: 3323 SW Naito Parkway, Portland
DETAILS: Directions here
MORE INFO: carmen@waterbirth.net
NORTHEAST
Bella Stella
LOCATION: 2751 NE Broadway St., Portland
MORE INFO: 503-284-4636 | help@bellastellababy.com
Milagros
LOCATION: 5433 NE 30th Ave, Portland
DETAILS: For the third year, Grand Central Bakery will be providing baked goods. There will also be free cupcakes from Robots Love Cupcake and coffee from Extracto Coffee Roasters. Gift certificates for Cocotte and Milagros will raffled.
VANCOUVER
Clark County Breastfeeding Coalition
LOCATION: Farmer’s Market at Esther Short Park, Vancouver
DETAILS: The tent and event set up will be near the playground, where older children may play.
OREGON – BEYOND PDX METRO
CORVALLIS
La Leche League Willamette Valley
LOCATION: Avery Park, SW 15th St, Corvallis
DETAILS: Big Latch On will be followed by Friends of La Leche League Family Potluck Picnic and play date.
COTTAGE GROVE
Modern Midwifery Care
LOCATION: Coiner Park - E Main St & E Washington Ave, Cottage Grove
DETAILS: Meet by the Coiner Park gazebo. Bring a picnic and stay to play after.
MORE INFO: Marie - smarie@riseup.net
EUGENE
Little Acorn Diapers
LOCATION: Oakmont Park, 2295 Oakmont Way, Eugene
MORE INFO: Kara Lester – 541-915-3666 | littleacorndoula@gmail.com
SALEM
Little Bums n More
LOCATION: 3290 Liberty Rd S, Salem
DETAILS: Please bring a blanket or chair to sit on. Will have prizes.
MORE INFO: 971- 209-2867 | littlebumsnmore@gmail.com
compiled from information from Big Latch On by Erin Ruff
