Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - AAP Policy Statement on Paid Leave, FY25 Appropriations Action Opportunity, & 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 - AAP Policy Statement on Paid Leave, FY25 Appropriations Action Opportunity, & more

11/1/2024

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- "Fall Back" Into the USBC! Ways To Support and Give
- 2 Minute Action: Call on Congress to Pass a Federal Budget that Invests in Breastfeeding
- USBC Office Closure for Election Day: Tuesday, November 5
National News
- AAP Policy Statement Endorsing Universal Paid Family and Medical Leave
- NEC Working Group Report on State of Science on NEC for Preterm Infants
- Final Rule on Safety Standard for Nursing Pillows
- 2024 Home Visiting Yearbook
State & Community News
- Legal Toolkit for Women's Economic Equality in New York
Action Opportunities
Upcoming Events
News & Views
Journal Publications

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

USBC Updates

"Fall Back" Into the USBC! Ways To Support and Give

This month, we invite you to "fall back" into supporting the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee. Your generosity enables us to empower families, advocate for policy changes, and enhance community support systems that make breastfeeding more accessible for everyone. We have a variety of options—some of which don’t require any funding from you!

Save 20% on holiday cards and gifts from Minted: use the code FUNDRAISEUSBC at checkout for your exclusive discount. In return, Minted donates 15% to the USBC. This is a new partnership, and we are excited to share it with you in time for holiday shopping!
Gift a USBC-branded sweatshirt, tee, tote, or mug by shopping for merchandise at our online store.
Become a monthly donor. Set your own frequency and custom amount on our secure donation site.
Turn your used vehicle into a tax-deductible donation to the USBC. CARS will pick up, tow, and handle the details for you.
Email our development team to coordinate a corporate match for the USBC this upcoming giving season.

2 Minute Action: Call on Congress to Pass a Federal Budget that Invests in Breastfeeding

Help us educate policymakers on the importance of funding breastfeeding programs by using our quick action tool today. Since 2012, the federal budget has funded the CDC Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding program, which has helped improve maternity care practices, increase access to lactation support providers, address disparities in breastfeeding rates, and more. Policymakers have not yet reached an agreement about the Fiscal Year 2025 federal budget. After the election, Congress will return to the Capitol to continue working on the funding bills. In the meantime, we need to make sure that they're hearing from voters like you about the importance of this program.

USBC Office Closure for Election Day: Tuesday, November 5

The USBC office will be closed on Tuesday, November 5, in observance of Election Day. At the USBC, our mission is deeply rooted in advocating for policies that safeguard the health of infants, families, and communities nationwide. Today, many across our nation, along with our team as individuals, will take time to select leaders who will shape policies that reflect a commitment to equity and long-term well-being for all. We invite you to stand with us by taking action: visit our Take Action webpage to send a message to your legislators on critical issues impacting families and communities nationwide.

National News

AAP Policy Statement Endorsing Universal Paid Family and Medical Leave

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released the "Paid Family and Medical Leave: Policy Statement." In its first policy statement endorsing universal paid family and medical leave, the AAP lays out the health benefits for families and moves toward economic equity in the workforce. Paid family and medical leave (PFML) helps parents balance the competing obligations of work, personal illness, and family. PFML is needed when adding a new member of the family or when a family member or individual becomes acutely or chronically ill. Universally available PFML is a key component of improving the health of children and families and is critically needed in the United States. The statement emphasizes the association between paid family and medical leave and increased breastfeeding initiation and duration rates. Read the news release.

NEC Working Group Report on State of Science on NEC for Preterm Infants

The Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in Preterm Infants Working Group of the National Advisory Council of Child Health and Human Development (NACHHD) published a report that was submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary. The report details findings on the state of the science on NEC and nutritional support for preterm infants and provides 17 recommendations to improve the scientific evidence base about NEC. One of the major themes underpinning the recommendations is the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that very low birth weight infants receive human milk, preferably from their own parent, or from pasteurized donor human milk if the parent’s milk is not available. Media highlights include:

The Legal Examiner: "More Research Is Requested for NEC and Baby Formulas"

Final Rule on Safety Standard for Nursing Pillows

The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a final rule titled "Safety Standard for Nursing Pillows." The final rule sets a federal mandatory standard to improve the safety of nursing pillows. The new rule will become effective Wednesday, April 23, 2025, and will require that all nursing pillows manufactured for sale after the rule takes effect meet the new requirements. The rule sets performance standards for nursing pillows that are designed to ensure that these pillows remain helpful for caregivers to breast and bottle-feed infants while reducing the risk of injury and death. Under the rule, nursing pillows include any product intended, marketed, or designed to position and support an infant close to a caregiver’s body while breast- or bottle feeding. These products rest upon, wrap around, or are worn by a caregiver in a seated or reclined position. Maternity pillows are excluded from this standard as they are intended for use by expecting adults. Read the press release.

2024 Home Visiting Yearbook

The National Home Visiting Resource Center published the "2024 Home Visiting Yearbook." The yearbook compiles key data on early childhood home visiting models at the national and state levels. The yearbook provides information about who receives, administers, and could benefit from home visiting. This year's yearbook includes direct links to national data sources for maternal and child health indicators, including breastfeeding rates.

State & Community News

Legal Toolkit for Women's Economic Equality in New York

The Women's Legal Defense and Education Fund released "A Legal Toolkit for Women's Economic Equality." The toolkit provides guidance to women and advocates in New York on 13 core issues that relate to women's economic equality, including paid family leave and pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.

Action Opportunities

Internal Revenue Service, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and Health and Human Services Department: "Enhancing Coverage of Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act." Comment deadline: Friday, December 27.