Weekly Wire: February 24, 2021
The Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire e-Newsletter is a compendium of news, actions, and resources considered to be of interest or relevance to the breastfeeding field. The newsletter aims to support the USBC's mission "To drive collaborative efforts for policy and practices that create a landscape of breastfeeding support across the United States." Included items are submitted for consideration or identified by the USBC e-news team via extensive online review. Whenever possible, the newsletter utilizes language directly from the primary source of an item without additional analysis or edits. In some cases, the USBC offers additional perspectives through the "USBC Insights," media and partner highlights, and the "News & Views" section. Inclusion of an item in the e-newsletter does not imply endorsement or support by the USBC of an item or organization, unless specifically noted.
In this Issue:
- USBC Updates
- Love Letter to the First Food Field
- 2021 Conference Award Applications Open
- New USBC Members: Pennsylvania Breastfeeding Coalition & Mamava
- National News
- Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) Survey Deadline Friday, summarized from CDC
- Webinar on Telelaction Care, summarized from NWA
- Clinical Protocol on Breastfeeding-Friendly Physician's Office, summarized from ABM
- IBCLC Care Award Application Open, summarized from ILCA
- Public Comment Opportunity on Child Care Nutrition and Activity Study, summarized from USDA/FNS
- COVID-19 Relief Bill Advances, summarized from Congress
- Funding Opportunity for Building Community Resilience, summarized from NACCHO
- Infant and Young Child Feeding Guidance Comparison, summarized from NASEM
- State & Community News
- Chinese Version of Women's Economic Equality Toolkit, summarized from Legal Momentum
- Equity Lens
- Bill Prohibiting LGBTQ Discrimination Introduced, summarized from Congress
- News & Views
denotes a USBC member organization news item 
denotes a USBC-affiliated constellation news item
USBC Updates
Love Letter to the First Food Field
The USBC Executive Director, Nikia Sankofa, published a blog post titled "Love Letter to Coalitions." The post is a heartfelt letter to the First Food field, and especially to breastfeeding coalitions and those doing community-based lactation support. The letter recognizes the challenges and tragedy of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the perseverance and dedication of all who serve birthing families. In the post, Nikia lifts up the crucial role of breastfeeding coalitions and highlights three exciting opportunities to engage with the USBC:
- Breastfeeding coalitions are invited to participate as special guests at the USBC Membership Meeting on Thursday, February 25, from 12-2:30 p.m. ET.
- Organizations can get a complimentary registration to the National Breastfeeding Conference & convening through full participation in the organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion assessment.
- Individuals can be featured in the USBC compendium of equity champions by sharing how you support other organizations in advancing their equity work.
2021 Conference Award Applications Open
The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is pleased to invite eligible and interested maternal and child health grassroots workers to apply for an Award for the National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening. Awards are granted in three categories: Emerging Leader, Tribal Trailblazer, and Cultural Changemaker. Award recipients will receive a free full-access registration to the online conference, promotion of their work, and more. The application deadline is Sunday, March 21. Please share this announcement widely with your networks!
New USBC Members: Pennsylvania Breastfeeding Coalition & Mamava
Welcome to two new USBC member organizations! The Pennsylvania Breastfeeding Coalition (PABC) is a new Coalition Member of the USBC that works to facilitate community and statewide efforts to protect, support, and promote breastfeeding as the norm for all families across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The PABC began in 1992 in connection with the PA Department of Health but now operates as an independent 501(c)3 non-profit. Over the past two decades, the PABC has created a number of communication mediums including a website and a newsletter, worked with state Senators on breastfeeding-related legislation, and developed educational materials for health professionals, among other projects. The coalition is currently partnering with the PABC Equity Workgroup to identify opportunities to reduce gaps in maternal health outcomes and implement the workgroup action plan.
Mamava is a new Affiliate For-Profit Member of the USBC. The company's mission is to create a healthier society through a changed cultural perception of pumping and nursing that affords every woman the opportunity to nurse her child regardless of her circumstances. Mamava was born in 2006 when the co-founders were both working breastfeeding moms who often found themselves pumping in bathrooms when they traveled. They decided enough was enough—moms deserve dignified and private lactation spaces that provide the kind of support they need to pump breast milk. Mamava officially launched in 2013. Today, Mamava offers lactation pods for high-traffic public spaces and a free locator app to help parents find lactation spaces. Their website hosts a number of resources for employers – on lactation spaces, legal compliance, and HR topics – as well as resources for breastfeeding parents.
National News
Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) Survey Deadline Friday, summarized from CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2020 national survey of Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) will close in two days - this Friday, February 26, 2021. Thank you to hospitals that have already submitted their survey! To receive an individualized Hospital Report and be included in state and national level reports, hospitals must complete and submit their survey. For questions, visit CDC's mPINC website or email mPINC@cdc.gov.
Webinar on Telelaction Care, summarized from NWA
The National WIC Association is hosting a webinar titled "Telelactation in Urban, Suburban and Rural Environments" on Thursday, March 4, from 3-4 p.m. ET. Presenters will provide an overview of the role of telelactation in urban, suburban, and rural environments and describe the role and challenges of telelactation with underserved populations. The presentation will also discuss ways to avoid internet overuse and screen fatigue.
Clinical Protocol on Breastfeeding-Friendly Physician's Office, summarized from ABM
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine released a clinical protocol titled "ABM Clinical Protocol #14: Breastfeeding-Friendly Physician's Office—Optimizing Care for Infants and Children." The protocol includes 12 guidelines for the care of breastfeeding mothers and infants, including establishing a written breastfeeding-friendly office policy, educating all office staff on breastfeeding benefits, complying with the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, and knowing local and national breastfeeding laws.
IBCLC Care Award Application Open, summarized from ILCA
The International Lactation Consultant Association opened applications for the IBCLC Care Award. Hospital-based facilities and community-based health agencies that staff currently certified IBCLCs may apply online to become a recognized IBCLC Care Award facility. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 5.
Public Comment Opportunity on Child Care Nutrition and Activity Study, summarized from USDA/FNS
The U.S Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, submitted a public information collection request for the "Study of Nutrition and Activity in Child Care Settings II (SNACS-II)." SNACs-II is the second comprehensive, nationally representative assessment of Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) providers and the infants, children, and teens they serve. Among other updates, CACFP requirements are now designed to encourage breastfeeding. Comments will be collected by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). OMB is particularly interested in comments that evaluate whether the proposed collection of information for the study is necessary, enhance the information to be collected, and minimize the burden of collecting the information for the study. Comments can be submitted in written or electronic form using the public comment portal. The deadline to submit comments is Monday, April 19.
COVID-19 Relief Bill Advances, summarized from Congress
The House Budget Committee completed its virtual markup of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a bill to address the public health and economic consequences of COVID-19. The legislative package includes $880 million in WIC investments, would reinstate the paid sick and family leave benefits that expired at the end of December, would extend Medicaid coverage for pregnant beneficiaries through one year postpartum, and a wide range of other provisions. The bill now goes to the House Rules Committee before heading to the full floor for consideration. Highlights include:
- AMCHP: "AMCHP CEO Applauds House Committee’s Postpartum Medicaid Extension Policy as 'Significant Down Payment' on Congressional Efforts to Improve Maternal Health"
- CHN: "CHN: House Prepares Legislation To Pass President Biden’s American Rescue Plan"
- House Committee on the Budget: "House Budget Committee Clears Way for American Rescue Plan"
- House Education & Labor Committee: "Committee Advances Major Piece of COVID-19 Relief Package"
- House Ways & Means Committee: "Chairman Neal Announces Markup of Covid-19 Relief Measures"
- USA Today: "Where does the $1.9T COVID-19 relief bill go from here? And, when can you expect help? Here's what we know."
Funding Opportunity for Building Community Resilience, summarized from NACCHO
The National Association of County and City Health Officials released a request for applications titled "Building Community Resilience through Maternal Child Health and Emergency Preparedness and Response Collaboration." The purpose of this funding opportunity is to help local health departments build community resilience and improve the lives of pregnant people, birth parents, and their infants by strengthening partnerships between maternal and child health and emergency preparedness programs within local health departments. NACCHO will award up to four health departments through this opportunity. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 26.
Infant and Young Child Feeding Guidance Comparison, summarized from NASEM
The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine released an interactive resource titled "Feeding Infants and Children From Birth to 24 Months: Summarizing Existing Guidance." Published as a complementary summary to an earlier consensus study report from NASEM, the resource reviews and compares the current landscape of feeding recommendations for infants and young children, identifies the level of consistency, and provides guidance for the development of future guidelines.
State & Community News
Chinese Version of Women's Economic Equality Toolkit, summarized from Legal Momentum
Legal Momentum published a Chinese version of "A Legal Toolkit for Women's Economic Equality" and its supplement. The resource has also been published in English and Spanish. Covering federal and New York State protections, the toolkit provides information about rights, benefits, avenues for action, and resources on core issues that impact women's economic security, including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and paid family leave.
Equity Lens
Bill Prohibiting LGBTQ Discrimination Introduced, summarized from Congress
Representative David Cicilline (D-RI-1) introduced the Equality Act (H.R. 5). The bill would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation in the areas of employment, education, credit, jury service, federal funding, housing, and public accommodations. The bill notes that many women have faced discrimination because they are pregnant or breastfeeding and defines discrimination on the basis of sex to include pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition. Read the press release.
News & Views
The Conversation: "Breastfeeding research improves lives and advances health, but faces conflicts"
ILCA blog: "IBCLC Day 2021: Honoring You"
Mothers' Milk Bank Northeast blog: "MelroseWakefield Healthcare Baby Café Empowers Milk Recipient to Become Milk Donor"
