Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Announcing the 2026 National Breastfeeding Month Theme, 2025 Annual Report Released, & 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 - Announcing the 2026 National Breastfeeding Month Theme, 2025 Annual Report Released, & More

4/3/2026

Weekly Wire: April 3, 2026

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 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
- USBC 2025 Annual Report Released
- 2026 National Breastfeeding Month Theme Announcement & Proclamation Toolkit
- USBC Conference Announcement: Awards Nomination Deadline Extended
- USBC Supports...
National News
- Momnibus Act Introduced
- 2026 Black Maternal Health Week Toolkit
- Infant Formula Safety Modernization Act Introduced
- NICHQ Respectful Maternity Care Toolkit
State & Community News
- Resources for Clinicians and Parents on Breastfeeding & Substance Use Disorder
- Maryland Bill Introduced to Expand Employment Protections
- Oregon Bill Introduced to Require Coverage for Doula and Lactation Counselor Services
Action Opportunities
Upcoming Events
News & Views
Journal Publications

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

USBC Updates

USBC 2025 Annual Report Released

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is pleased to announce that the 2025 Annual Report has been released and is available on our website! The magazine-style digital annual report provides a review of how we learned, connected, and acted together in 2025 and offers insights and data from our accomplishments. We hope these pages help inspire you as you continue on your journey of learning, connecting, and dedication to taking action on collaborative efforts that create a landscape of breastfeeding support across the United States. Together, we do great things!

2026 National Breastfeeding Month Theme Announcement & Proclamation Toolkit

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee will celebrate National Breastfeeding Month 2026 under the banner, RISE: Resilience, Interdependence, Self-Determination, Empowerment. This year's theme was crafted to capture the heart and strength of the First Food field. Each word in the acronym was chosen to highlight our network's strengths as we advocate for the policy, systems, and environmental changes necessary to create a landscape of breastfeeding support for every family. Our image centers the sunrise, embodying the enduring spirit of our community.

The 2026 NBM Proclamation Toolkit is also available. This package of resources is designed to ease the process of submitting a request to your state or territory to proclaim August as Breastfeeding Month. The toolkit includes a spreadsheet with links and information on submitting a request, as well as templates for both long and abbreviated proclamations that can be customized for your submission.

In recognition of National Breastfeeding Month (NBM), the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee hosts a social media advocacy and outreach campaign inviting member organizations, breastfeeding coalitions, partner organizations, and individuals to participate in online action and conversation about the policy and practice changes needed to build a landscape of support for babies and families. It's a time where we learn, connect, and act together to build momentum that sustains our movement through the coming year!

USBC Conference Announcement: Awards Nomination Deadline Extended

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee 2026 Awards Application deadline has been extended to Friday, April 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT! The USBC National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening Awards recognize and celebrate individuals advancing breastfeeding and lactation support through leadership, advocacy, research, systems change, and community-based work. These honorees represent the heart of our field; people whose dedication, vision, and persistence make a lasting impact year after year. The 2026 Awards categories include the Hamlin-Taylor Community Impact Leader Award, the Native Knowledge Award, and the Cultural Changemaker Award.

The Awards Committee is seeking nominations for individuals who have demonstrated long-term commitment to breastfeeding advocacy or support, are leading meaningful work at the community, state, or national level, and do vital work that may be underrecognized or behind the scenes. Find details and learn more about each award category on the submission form.

USBC Supports...

Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance:

"FY27 Congressional Sign-On Letter: Support the Federal Funding of Maternal Mental Health Programs"

Trust for America’s Health

National News

Momnibus Act Introduced

Representatives Underwood (IL-14) and Adams (NC-12), along with 199 cosponsors, introduced the Momnibus Act (H.R.7973). The package of 14 bills comprehensively addresses the drivers of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities in the U.S. The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income country, with significant and persistent disparities in maternal health outcomes, including breastfeeding rates. Read the press release. Media highlights include:

Parents: "Maternal Mortality Rates Remain High in the U.S.—Here’s One Thing That Could Help Save Lives"

2026 Black Maternal Health Week Toolkit

Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) released the 2026 Black Maternal Health Week Toolkit. This toolkit contains key messaging, social shareables, and other materials related to #BMHW26. The 2026 Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) theme is Rooted in Justice & Joy. Held annually from April 11-17 and during National Minority Month, BMHW is a week-long campaign founded and led by BMMA to build awareness, foster activism, and community-building, amplifying the voices, perspectives, and lived experiences of Black Mamas and birthing people.

Infant Formula Safety Modernization Act Introduced

Representative DeLauro (CT-3) introduced the Infant Formula Safety Modernization Act (H.R. 7867). The bill would modernize federal oversight of the nation’s infant formula supply by mandating new testing and reporting obligations for manufacturers.

NICHQ Respectful Maternity Care Toolkit

The National Institute for Children's Health Quality (NICHQ) released the "Resources to Create a Culture of Respectful Maternity Care" toolkit. The toolkit provides practical tools and strategies to help clinicians, clinical teams, and health system leaders integrate respectful, patient-centered practices into routine maternity care. The toolkit includes a resource guide organized across five domains of respectful care: dignity, communication, autonomy in decision-making, informed consent, and accountability. It also features Clinical Training Modules aligned with key stages of the birth journey, including triage, admission, labor, delivery, and the immediate postpartum period, along with evaluation strategies to support implementation.

State & Community News

Resources for Clinicians and Parents on Breastfeeding & Substance Use Disorder

Maine State Breastfeeding Coalition released "Guidelines for the Use of Human Milk in the Context of Substance Use Disorder," a clinical reference for healthcare providers that includes evidence-based recommendations, a substance clearance table, and a decision pathway to guide individualized care planning in partnership with families. The Coalition also released "Breastfeeding and Substance Use: A Parent Resource," a handout for families that outlines when it is safe/unsafe to provide breastmilk when navigating Substance Use Disorder (SUD), how to maintain milk supply during periods of uncertainty, and where to find support. The parent resource is designed to be shared directly with families during prenatal care, during hospitalization for birth, and at discharge. These resources reflect current evidence and were developed to support consistent, trauma-informed, non-stigmatizing care for birthing people with substance use disorder across Maine. Together, they are intended to reduce variation in practice and ensure that families receive accurate information and compassionate support regardless of where they give birth.

Maryland Bill Introduced to Expand Employment Protections

A group of Maryland Delegates introduced HB536. The bill would expand protections against employment discrimination to apply to temporary disabilities caused by childbirth, menopause, and related medical conditions, including lactation and the need to express breast milk for a nursing child.

Oregon Bill Introduced to Require Coverage for Doula and Lactation Counselor Services

A group of Oregon Senators introduced SB1568. The bill would require Medicaid and private insurance providers that cover pregnancy and childbirth to also cover doula services and lactation counselor services. The bill would also direct the Traditional Health Workers Commission to establish a voluntary registration system for lactation counselors.

Action Opportunities

Anthropology of Motherhood, DC Breastfeeding Coalition, & Deaf & Hard of Hearing Breastfeeding Collective: "Call for Art: Bridging the Gap." Submission deadline: Thursday, April 30.

New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force: "2026 Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS) Cohort Application -- El grupo de estudio de Especialistas en lactancia materna certificados del 2026." Application deadline: Sunday, April 12.