A MASS breastfeeding event is taking place in Keighley as part of a global initiative.

Mums, their children and family members are being urged to get involved.

The venture – in support of The Big Latch – will aim to help break the world record for the most children being breastfed simultaneously, set at over 21,500 across the globe last year.

Women wishing to take part in the event – on Friday, August 2 – should meet at Town Hall Square, or Keighley Healthy Living in Scott Street if it is wet, at 10am. The feed will take place at 10.30am.

Afterwards, until 3pm, stalls will be staged in the Airedale Shopping Centre offering further information about breastfeeding and support.

Several services are combining to stage the activities, which are also planned to coincide with World Breastfeeding Week.

Jane Dickens, strategic breastfeeding lead at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is a fun event for mums to attend, but it’s also an important part of normalising breastfeeding and will give women more confidence to feed their babies ‘here, there and everywhere’.

“The Big Latch is a sociable event where mums can come along and meet each other, offer support and join the international movement to raise the profile of breastfeeding.”

The event will also enable businesses to discover more about the Breastfeeding Welcome scheme, and sign-up to it.

Implemented locally by the care trust and Bradford Council, the national scheme aims to encourage more businesses to declare they are ‘breastfeeding friendly’.

Participating premises display a special sticker so breastfeeding mums know they are welcome.

The scheme is open to a range of venues, from shops and cafes to libraries, community centres and health practices.

“This means mums can relax and get on with feeding their baby without worrying about what other people think – and it’s an important confidence boost too,” said a spokesman.

“By joining the scheme, businesses are helping to benefit the whole community as well as letting customers know that they are cared for – even the youngest ones.”

Any business interested in signing-up, but unable to attend the event, should e-mail breastfeedingwelcome@bdct.nhs.uk.