Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Mission Moment with Dr. Kimarie Bugg, Workplace Lactation Toolkit, & more

The USBC e-Newsletter, Staying Abreast, is published in a weekly news brief format, called the Weekly Wire (WW). Past issues are archived below.

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Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Mission Moment with Dr. Kimarie Bugg, Workplace Lactation Toolkit, & more

10/18/2024

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- USBC Mission Moment With Dr. Kimarie Bugg
- Welcoming New USBC Member Organization: The Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice
- Upcoming Events on USBC Events Calendar
International News
- WHO Position Statement on Transitioning to Midwifery Models of Care
National News
- NASEM Listening Session Series on Breastfeeding Experiences
- House Bill Recognizing the Contributions of Midwives Introduced
- The Milk Bank Workplace Lactation Toolkit
State & Community News
- California Bill On Increasing Postpartum Supports for Incarcerated Mothers Signed Into Law
- New York Bills Expanding Access to Donor Human Milk Signed Into Law
Upcoming Events
News & Views
Journal Publications

denotes a USBC member organization news item denotes a USBC-affiliated constellation news item

USBC Updates

USBC Mission Moment With Dr. Kimarie Bugg

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee hosted a Membership Meeting on Thursday, September 26. The biannual virtual event brings together the approximately 140 member organizations that comprise the USBC and work collaboratively to drive policy and practice changes that create a landscape of breastfeeding support. Dr. Kimarie Bugg delivered the “Mission Moment,” a meeting-opening practice that brings us into presence, connects our work to the people and communities we serve, and keeps our focus on the positive and impactful change we seek. "This organization has bought us out of our silos and has taught us that we are stronger together," said Dr. Bugg. Visit the blog, "USBC Membership Meeting Mission Moment with Dr. Kimarie Bugg: We are Stronger Together!," for a full transcript of the mission moment.

Welcoming New USBC Member Organization: The Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is thrilled to welcome The Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice (ALPP) to the USBC membership network. ALPP is a non-profit organization that provides a national certification program in breastfeeding and human lactation for nurses, physicians, dietitians, WIC personnel, peer counselors, independent lactation counselors, and other healthcare professionals. The ALPP vision is of a world where all families have access to quality, interdisciplinary, culturally sensitive lactation care, thereby promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding and human lactation in the United States. The USBC warmly welcomes The Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice to our network!

Upcoming Events on USBC Events Calendar

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee maintains an Events Calendar with upcoming breastfeeding-related events that are hosted by our extensive network of USBC member organizations. Events include online trainings, learning opportunities, virtual conferences, and more. Check out the calendar to explore recently added events taking place in the coming weeks. Are you a USBC member organization? We invite you to submit your organization's events and conferences via the USBC Member Portal.

International News

WHO Position Statement on Transitioning to Midwifery Models of Care

The World Health Organization released a "Transitioning to Midwifery Models of Care: Global Position Paper." The position paper describes the guiding principles of midwifery models of care and reviews the advantages of adopting these models of care. It highlights the significant role and impact that midwives can have within health systems while recognizing the importance of collaborative and integrated care where various professionals jointly contribute to providing high-quality maternal and newborn health services.

National News

NASEM Listening Session Series on Breastfeeding Experiences

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Committee on Understanding Breastfeeding Promotion, Initiation, and Support Across the United States hosted "Perspectives on the Breastfeeding Journey: A Listening Session Series." The six-part series provided an opportunity for the committee to hear about the lived experiences of individuals and to consider their perspectives in future deliberations. Session recordings:

House Bill Recognizing the Contributions of Midwives Introduced

Representative Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12) introduced House Resolution 1539. The bill recognizes the roles and contributions of certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives in providing high-quality, evidence-based, and cost-effective health care services to women and childbearing families in the United States. The resolution notes that midwifery-led care is associated with improved breastfeeding rates.

The Milk Bank Workplace Lactation Toolkit

The Milk Bank published the "Workplace Lactation Toolkit." The toolkit aims to help employers understand workplace lactation regulations and how compliance can help retain healthier, more engaged employees, and prevent costly fines.

State & Community News

California Bill On Increasing Postpartum Supports for Incarcerated Mothers Signed Into Law

California Governor Newsom signed California Assembly Bill 2740 into law. The new law increases prenatal and postpartum support to incarcerated mothers by requiring referral to a social worker within seven days of arriving at a prison; ensuring incarcerated mothers and their newborns remain at a medical facility after delivery for recovery, postpartum medical care, and bonding time for no fewer than three days before the child is removed; and permitting incarcerated mothers to breastfeed the newborn and pump breast milk to be stored and taken with the child upon removal from the medical facility.

New York Bill Expanding Access to Donor Human Milk Signed Into Law

New York Governor Hochul signed Senate Bill 6674A/Assembly Bill 7790A into law. The new law expands insurance coverage requirements for human donor milk and removes the requirement for coverage only during inpatient use. Donor milk coverage is required when a licensed medical practitioner has issued an order for an infant who has a documented birth weight of less than one thousand five hundred grams or a congenital or acquired condition that places the infant at a high risk for development of necrotizing enterocolitis. Read the press release.