The event aimed to raise breastfeeding rates around the region.
Co-organiser and Plunket breastfeeding works administrator Renee Haumu said the event was a "breastfeeding celebration".
She said the region’s breastfeeding statistics were showing a decline, which was why events like that were important to "turn that trend around".
She said 108 people turned up, including mothers, babies and support people.
The event allowed space for people to speak freely about their experiences.
She said among the people gathered there was a strong theme of not every experience being the same.
"You might think you’ve got it sorted with one baby and then the second one arrives and it’s different," Miss Haumu said.
There were also reflections on what they should have done differently, like reaching out for help while problems were still small and not letting them become bigger problems.
At one stage in the event mothers were invited to write words which described something they had learnt about breastfeeding from their journey.
Miss Haumu said some responses she had received were "convenient", "surprisingly hard", "a privilege", and "empowering".
While in previous years the event had been about latching babies on to the breast at the same time, that was no longer the goal.
Miss Haumu said — along with the fact that some might not be hungry — "babies get distracted".
The day had been a collaboration between South Canterbury Plunket and Arowhenua Whānau Services.
Arowhenua Whānau Services co-organiser Megan McNeill said the intention behind the day was to acknowledge the breastfeeding journey and to have kaupapa about it.
Ms McNeill said the event provided a space for family members from different generations to come together and talk about their experiences.
"And just acknowledge that journey."
The event was held at Te Aitarakihi Marae, and hosted talks from professionals in the field.
One speaker, Highfield School principal Amy Logavatu, spoke about working and breastfeeding.
