Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - "Black History is Still Being Made," A Black History Month Reflection Blog Post, IBCLC Day, & 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 - "Black History is Still Being Made," A Black History Month Reflection Blog Post, IBCLC Day, & More

2/27/2026

Weekly Wire: February 27, 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
- "Black History is Still Being Made," A Black History Month Reflection Blog Post
- 2026 USBC Conference: Updated Agenda Released
- Welcoming New USBC Member Organizations: The Nebraska Breastfeeding Coalition and Nourishing Newborns
International News
- IBCLC Day is March 4
National News
- Policy Brief on Strengthening Community-Based Doula Care
- Flexible Leave Act Introduced in House
Action Opportunities
Funding Opportunities
Upcoming Events
News & Views
Journal Publications

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

USBC Updates

"Black History is Still Being Made," A Black History Month Reflection Blog Post

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee published a blog post, "Black History is Still Being Made," featuring a reflection from Nourish & Thrive Executive Director Stephanie Amekuedi. Below is an excerpt from Stephanie's reflection. Read the full piece on the USBC blog.

2026 USBC Conference: Updated Agenda Released

An updated agenda for the Rooted in Legacy, Growing Toward Justice 2026 National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening (NBCC) has been published. The agenda is now complete with session titles and presenters' names, and provides the opportunity to explore session topics, plan your participation, and see how the convening will spotlight inclusive strategies, policy updates, and community innovations shaping the future of infant feeding. Learn about awards nominations, marketing opportunities, or hotel reservations on the conference website and reserve your seat today to learn, connect meaningfully, and work together to create a lasting impact on the landscape of infant feeding in the U.S.!

Welcoming New USBC Member Organizations: The Nebraska Breastfeeding Coalition and Nourishing Newborns

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is thrilled to welcome 18 organizations to the USBC member network as of January 2026! To welcome them, each edition of the Weekly Wire newsletter is spotlighting two of the new member organizations, presented in alphabetical order from the new cohort. Access the archive to review past editions. The USBC warmly welcomes all new and returning member organizations to our table! This week, we highlight the Nebraska Breastfeeding Coalition and Nourishing Newborns.

The Nebraska Breastfeeding Coalition’s mission is to advance the health of Nebraskans by making breastfeeding the norm through education, advocacy, and collaboration. Their vision is a Nebraska where every family is supported to breastfeed through a strong, statewide network of advocates and lactation providers delivering quality, effective care - creating informed communities, equitable access, and a culture that values human milk.

Nourishing Newborns offers free home visits with a Certified Postpartum Doula, Infant Massage Instructor, and Breastfeeding/Lactation Medicine Physician, offering a lifeline to families in the rural, frontier Plumas and Sierra Counties in California. Their mission is to provide free home visits, empowering caregivers to meet infants' needs for nutrition and healthy touch.

International News

IBCLC Day is March 4

Hosted by the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA), Wednesday, March 4, marks International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Day. IBCLC Day celebrates the extraordinary services that IBCLCs provide to expectant parents, new mothers, and the healthcare teams who form their circle of care. ILCA released a marketing toolkit featuring information on IBCLC Day, sample social media posts, suggested hashtags, a sample email, and graphics to make it easy to show appreciation for IBCLCs. In honor of IBCLC Day, the Journal of Human Lactation developed a special open-access collection available until March 4, "Celebrating the Impact of IBCLCs," featuring a collection of articles that spotlight how IBCLCs advocate for families worldwide.

National News

Policy Brief on Strengthening Community-Based Doula Care

HealthConnect One released a new policy brief, "Strengthening Community-Based Doula Care Amid Shifting State and Federal Policy." This report reflects rapidly evolving state and national policies that directly impact Black, Brown, and Indigenous community-based doulas and the families they serve. HealthConnect One will host a webinar on Monday, March 16, to share key findings from the brief, outline what is at stake for community-based doulas, and discuss next steps to advance fair reimbursement, sustainable workforce investment, and full integration into the maternal health ecosystem.

Flexible Leave Act Introduced in House

Representatives McBride (DE-At-Large) and Luna (FL-14) introduced the Flexible Leave Act (H.R.7505). The bill would amend the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to allow workers to take leave intermittently or on a reduced schedule for any qualifying reason, including bonding with a new child, without needing approval from a doctor or employer. Read the press release.

Action Opportunities

California Breastfeeding Coalition: "2026 Lactation Impact Awards Nomination Form." Nominations deadline: TODAY, Friday, February 27.

International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners & International Lactation Consultant Association: "IBCLC Care Award." Application deadline: Sunday, March 22.