USBC Updates

National Breastfeeding Month Merchandise is now LIVE!

We're excited to share that our 2026 National Breastfeeding Month merchandise collection is now live!

Show your support for the First Food field and help spread this year's theme, RISE: Resilience, Interdependence, Self-Determination, Empowerment. Every merchandise purchase and donation helps support USBC's work to create a landscape of breastfeeding support for all families.

National News

 Infant Formula Recall: FDA & CDC Investigation in Infant Botulism

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) announced an infant formula recall and outbreak investigation, "Outbreak Investigation of Infant Botulism: Powdered Infant Formula (June 2026)." On Saturday, June 13, Nara Organics recalled all Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula. The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health, Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of three confirmed or suspected infant botulism illnesses from three states: California, Pennsylvania, and Washington. All three cases included in this outbreak consumed Nara Organics-brand powdered infant formula. The FDA's investigation is ongoing. Media highlights include:

• Newsweek: "CDC Warns of Recalled Formula After Babies Hospitalized for Botulism"

Maternal Health for Veterans Act Introduced in Senate

Senator Duckworth (IL) introduced the Maternal Health for Veterans Act (S.4694). The bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out a maternity care coordination program that provides care to eligible veterans from the beginning of pregnancy until 12 months postpartum. The bill includes training and support for community maternity care providers such as physicians, midwives, nurse practitioners, doulas, and lactation consultants certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. The bill would also require annual reporting on maternal health outcomes among veterans receiving care at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. Read the press release.

State & Community News

 Kansas Returning to Work Toolkit: Resources for Breastfeeding Parents

The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition released a toolkit, "Returning to Work: Resources for the Pumping  & Breastfeeding Parent." This toolkit is designed for parents who are breastfeeding and pumping to understand their rights to express human milk while at work. It offers information on preparing to go back to work, creating a plan to return (including a sample return to work plan), as well as some tips and expert advice on dealing with challenges while breastfeeding. 

Action Opportunities

Paperless Lactation: "UnitedHealthcare Is Cutting Lactation Coverage on September 1. Here’s How to Fight." Action deadline: n/a.

Funding Opportunities

 Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition: "2026 Becoming Application: Funding to Support Aspiring Lactation Support Providers." Application deadline: Wednesday, July 15.

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health: "Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health." Application deadline: Wednesday, July 15.

Upcoming Events

On-Demand:

•  Michigan Breastfeeding Network, Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinars: "When Barriers Shape Birth & Beyond: Supporting Physiological Labor in an Inequitable System"

News & Views

Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs: "House Committee Passes Legislation with Promising Gains and Notable Concerns for MCH Funding"

Association of State and Territorial Health Officials: "Summary of FY27 House LHHS Appropriations Bill: June 2026"

Pennsylvania Senate Democrats: "Collett's Paid Leave Bill Advances Through Senate Committee"

 SAFE Infant Feeding Team:

• "Bringing IYCF-E to the National Stage to Change Systems: The SAFE Team at #NBCC26"
• "Disaster Response on an Island – Lessons from IYCF-E Response in Puerto Rico"

Salina Journal: "Salina pediatric clinic earns five-star breastfeeding designation"

Sunflower State Radio: "Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition Awards Grants to Encourage Breastfeeding in Kansas"

South Charlotte Weekly: "Novant Health Ballantyne earns Baby-Friendly designation"

Upper Michigan's Source: "Family resources organization launches parenting support, education programs"

U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan: "Beyer, Fitzpatrick, Houlahan Reintroduce Legislation to Provide Paid Family and Medical Leave for Federal Employees"

U.S. Breastfeeding Committee
1629 K Street NW Suite 300 | Washington, District of Columbia 20006
(773) 359-1549 | office@usbreastfeeding.org 

Follow Us

USBC Updates

The Momentum Continues: Thank You for Bringing NBCC 2026 to Life

As we reflect on the 2026 National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening in Bethesda last week, we are filled with gratitude for everyone who helped make this gathering so successful. To our attendees, speakers, introducers, sponsors, exhibitors, staff, and partners: Thank you! Your knowledge, passion, and commitment brought our theme, Rooted in Legacy, Growing Toward Justice, to life in countless ways throughout the week.

Together, we honored the foundations laid by those who came before us while imagining new possibilities for the future of the First Food field. Through thoughtful dialogue, shared learning, meaningful connections, and collective visioning, you helped create a space that was both grounding and energizing.

The ideas exchanged, relationships strengthened, and momentum generated during our time together will continue to ripple outward long after the conference has ended. We leave inspired by the wisdom in this community and energized by the work ahead. The energy you brought to this gathering will help propel our field forward as we continue working toward building systems that protect, promote, and support breastfeeding and infant nutrition for all families.

Thank you for being part of this movement and for helping shape what comes next. We look forward to carrying this momentum forward, together, in the year ahead!

National News

Moms Matter Act Introduced

Senator Gillibrand (NY) introduced the Moms Matter Act (S.4552). The bill would establish a grant program to fund community-based organizations, maternity care providers (including lactation consultants certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners), and mental health providers to expand maternal mental health services, integrate behavioral health care into primary care settings, establish group prenatal and postpartum care programs, and train maternity care providers to identify and refer individuals with maternal mental health conditions or substance use disorders. The bill would also fund grants to grow and diversify the maternal mental and behavioral health care workforce, with priority given to programs serving populations with elevated rates of maternal mortality and morbidity. A companion bill, H.R.8811, was introduced by Representative Clarke (NY-9).

State & Community News

Michigan Bills Introduced to Regulate Donor Milk and Establish Medicaid Coverage for Donor Milk

Michigan Senator Geiss introduced Senate Bills 724, 725, and 726 to establish a regulatory framework for donor human milk. SB 724 would establish safety standards and processing requirements in alignment with Human Milk Banking Association of North America guidelines, and prohibit adulterated or raw milk with civil and criminal penalties. SB 725 would expand Medicaid coverage for donor human milk for up to two years after birth for eligible individuals and infants. SB 726 would add criminal sentencing guidelines for violations of SB 724's prohibitions. Media highlights include:

• Michigan Advance: "Geiss bills would regulate human milk banks, expand access to donor milk"

Action Opportunities

International Baby Food Action Network: "Call to end Nestlé-UNU Partnership." Sign-on deadline: n/a.

 Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition: "A State Bill, A National Opportunity." Action deadline: n/a.

National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers: "Protect FY 2027 Funding for Infants & Toddlers." Action deadline: n/a.

National Partnership for Women & Families: "We're listening to mothers, too." Story submission deadline: n/a.

National WIC Association: "Reject USDA Reorganization that Threatens WIC Services!" Action deadline: n/a.

Funding Opportunities

National Institutes of Health: "Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health." Application deadline: Thursday, January 7, 2027.

Vital Village Networks: "Certificate in Community Leadership and Advocacy Scholarship Application." Application deadline: Friday, July 31. 

Upcoming Events

Monday, June 15:

• Black Families Flourishing: "Exploring Research and Policy to Support Black Families and Strengthen America's Future"

Thursday, June 25:

• Trust for America's Health: "Defining the Wins: Statewide Policy Change Strategies for Public Health"

Friday, June 26:

• Johns Hopkins University: "Creating Connections for Communicating Science"

Tuesday, June 30 - Wednesday, July 1:

•  Urban Indian Health Institute: "Indigenous Evaluation Workshop Registration Form"

News & Views

Blavity: "Black Midwives Say Laws Are Limiting Maternal Care, So They Are Suing These Southern States"

Illinois.gov: "Illinois Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act Takes Effect June 1"

Relief Web: "Policy Brief: Breastfeeding for Resilience and a Healthier Planet Promoting Optimal Infant Feeding Practices Across the Mandera Triangle"

Voice of OC: "OC Officials Won’t Pursue Renewing Funding For New Black Infant Health Program"

Journal Publications

Cell Reports Medicine: "Breastfeeding may lessen socioeconomic disparities in child health through differences in the infant gut microbiome"

International Breastfeeding Journal:

• "Breastfeeding in the shadow of war: a qualitative study on the experiences of Palestinian women"
• "Gender-just reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in maternity care services through the ‘baby- friendly hospital initiative’: a scoping review"

Journal of Perinatology: "Enhancing breastfeeding outcomes in preterm infant: a collaborative approach with dedicated lactation specialists and family engagement"

U.S. Breastfeeding Committee
1629 K Street NW Suite 300 | Washington, District of Columbia 20006
(773) 359-1549 | office@usbreastfeeding.org 

Follow Us