Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Co-Creating the Lactation Landscape: A Regional Action Lab for the Year Ahead, & More

Weekly Wire: May 1, 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
  • NBCC Spotlight: Co-Creating the Lactation Landscape
  • May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Month: Share Your AANHPI Breastfeeding Resources
• State & Community News
  • DC New Parent Study Findings
  • Nebraska Bill Granting Paid Parental Leave to State Employees Vetoed
  • New York Bill Introduced Requiring Breast Pumps for Incarcerated Parents
• Action Opportunities
• Funding Opportunities
• News & Views
• Journal Publications

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

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USBC Updates

NBCC Spotlight: Co-Creating the Lactation Landscape

This year’s conference's regional meeting, "Co-Creating the Lactation Landscape: A Regional Action Lab for the Year Ahead," will provide attendees with an opportunity to connect and strategize with those in their region to move the First Food field forward. Breastfeeding conferences generate powerful ideas, inspiration, and urgency, but advocates often return home without the protected time or structure needed to turn that energy into sustained action. This facilitated working session is designed to serve as an “activation” space, intentionally building on breastfeeding policy, research, and advocacy conversations happening among attendees. Rather than repeating national frameworks or assuming shared policy knowledge, this session centers the coalition itself as the unit of change.

Register today to experience this energizing session and many others at this year’s National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening. Book your hotel by Tuesday, May 12 to guarantee access to our group rate. 

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Month: Share Your AANHPI Breastfeeding Resources

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month! During this month, we celebrate the diverse, rich culture of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, while shedding light on health disparities affecting the AANHPI population. To help us amplify breastfeeding and lactation-related resources specific to AANHPI communities and spotlight AANHPI Heritage Month, please submit your events and resources for sharing on USBC communication channels, including social media, the Weekly Wire, and our website.

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State & Community News

DC New Parent Study Findings

The Urban Institute released the brief "Balancing Work, Child Care, and the Transition to Parenthood." The resource explores new parents’ experiences during the transition to parenthood using data from in-depth interviews of new parents from the District of Columbia New Parent Study about their employment, child care decisions, and experiences returning to work or school while balancing new parenting responsibilities. Key findings show that parents want better policy alignment, including expanded paid family and medical leave and more flexible workplace practices to support families and ease the process of returning to work after becoming a new parent.

Nebraska Bill Granting Paid Parental Leave to State Employees Vetoed

The Nebraska Governor vetoed Legislative Bill 878 after the bill was passed by the legislature. The bill would have made state employees eligible for 6 weeks of paid parental leave. The Governor’s veto cited his belief that these benefits should be negotiated through the collective bargaining process.

New York Bill Introduced Requiring Breast Pumps for Incarcerated Parents

New York Senator Salazar introduced S02666A. The bill would require institutions and local correctional facilities to provide breast pumps and related materials to incarcerated parents who give birth while in custody and safely store expressed breast milk until it can be delivered to the incarcerated parent’s child.

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Action Opportunities

Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs: "Replication Projects." Application deadline: Wednesday, June 3.

Health Leads: "Doula-Friendly Hospitals Pilot Initiative." Application deadline: n/a.

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Funding Opportunities

 Health Resources and Services Administration: "​​Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate Pathways (LEAP) Training Program​​." Application deadline: Monday, June 1.

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News & Views

 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: "Celebrating 75 Years of ACOG: Build on Legacy. Shape the Future."

Bioengineer: "Breastfeeding: Connecting Infant Health and Climate Action"

Duke Global Health Institute: "The Hidden Struggle of Infant Feeding After Helene"

Center for Children & Families at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University: "States Rely on Adequate Funds from Title V MCH Block Grant to Address Maternal and Child Health Needs"

New America: "Virginia’s New Paid Leave Law Closes the Loop Between Implementation and Policy"

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Journal Publications

JAMA Network Open: "Doula Care and Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review"

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U.S. Breastfeeding Committee
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(773) 359-1549 | [email protected] 

 

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