Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - FY25 Federal Budget Analysis, ABM Clinical Protocol Revision, & 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 - FY25 Federal Budget Analysis, ABM Clinical Protocol Revision, & more

8/30/2024

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- Fiscal Year 2025 Federal Budget Process Underway: Appropriations Bill Analysis
- Policy Priority Survey: Help Inform the USBC Policy Priorities!
- Join USBC Stakeholder Listening Session: Centering Indigenous and Native American Communities to Inform Five-Year Plan
- September Technical Assistance Session on USBC Data Survey Tool
Special Section on National Breastfeeding Month
International News
- Guidance Report on the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes
National News
- ABM Clinical Protocol on Breastfeeding Promotion Revised
- LGBTQIA2S+ Guide for Professionals Working With Lactating Families
- HHS Annual Progress Report Addresses Maternal Health Crisis
- Surgeon General Advisory on the Mental Health of Parents Cites Paid Leave
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

Fiscal Year 2025 Federal Budget Process Underway: Appropriations Bill Analysis

Each year funding is allocated to a variety of federally funded programs that include lactation support through the federal appropriations process. The fiscal year 2025 federal budget process is underway and the USBC completed a detailed analysis of the current appropriations bills and associated reports. Visit the Federal Appropriations For Breastfeeding webpage for a chart showing funding levels for programs relevant to the lactation field and the "FY25 Appropriations: Status Update and What it Means for Breastfeeding" blog post for additional information on unfunded or one-time directives in the appropriation bills and associated reports. Highlights:

The Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) Appropriations report includes $9.75 million for the Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding program and $68.95 million for the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health program, level funding from fiscal year 2024.
The Senate Labor-HHS report also expresses support for the Women's Bureau's work and dedication to supporting paid leave programs and encourages the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to examine how health insurers have implemented comprehensive lactation services, the standards set to determine reimbursement rates for breastfeeding supplies and services, and the current best practices used to provide coverage to help women breastfeed.
The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations report recognizes Amtrak's work to implement lactation accommodations for nursing employees and customers, and encourages Amtrak to consider the continued expansion of such accommodations on board its trains and stations.

Policy Priority Survey: Help Inform the USBC Policy Priorities!

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee launched the "Policy Priority Survey: Help Us Understand the Most Pressing Needs of Breastfeeding Families." Individuals are invited to take the survey and share their perspectives on the breastfeeding policy issues that most urgently need to be addressed in the upcoming Congressional session. The annual USBC Welcome Congress campaign will take place in early 2025 to educate policymakers on the top five breastfeeding policy priorities. The survey will be open through Monday, September 16.

Join USBC Stakeholder Listening Session: Centering Indigenous and Native American Communities to Inform Five-Year Plan

The USBC is inviting all Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Pacific Islanders to join us for a virtual listening session co-hosted by Kimberly Moore-Salas, IBCLC, Navajo Tribe Member, and Urban Metrics Consultants, LLC (UMC) on Friday, September 13, from 1-2:30 p.m. ET. The USBC is working to develop a five-year plan aimed at advancing infant nutrition security and addressing breastfeeding disparities, especially those impacting Indigenous Peoples and Black populations. This is a valuable opportunity to contribute to the development of the plan at an early stage, and we hope you will join us during this facilitated conversation. Space is limited to the first 30 people who register.

September Technical Assistance Session on USBC Data Survey Tool

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee hosts the data project tool, Infant Feeding in the U.S. With funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the USBC is using the "Rebel.Science" platform to host this simple survey tool and support maternal and child health stakeholders in collecting timely and accurate data on infant feeding at the organizational, state, and national levels. Organizations are able to brand the survey with their own logo and images and distribute the 5-question multiple choice survey to their clients who have given birth within the past 6 months. As more organizations join in, survey hosts will be able to compare their results with other participating organizations. The USBC is hosting a technical assistance (TA) session on Friday, September 13, at 1 p.m. ET to answer questions and help organizations launch their survey.

Special Section on National Breastfeeding Month

The 2024 National Breastfeeding Month (NBM) theme is Nourish, Sustain, Thrive. Join us as we take time in August (and beyond!) for action, education, and celebration of our collective efforts. Share your organization's plans with us so we can amplify your work in the Weekly Wire and on social media, shop the USBC Store for official NBM merch, and make a donation to the USBC in honor of someone passionate about this cause. Highlights from the field include:

Irth App: The Irth App is holding a Lactation Line from 6-11 p.m. ET each day through Saturday, August 31, to offer live support from experienced lactation consultants.
MCHB: The HRSA Maternal Child Health Bureau updated the "MCHB Supports Breastfeeding" webpage to include two new resources during National Breastfeeding Month. MCHB invites you to hear directly from their MCH nutrition grantees as they share their experiences in the new "Celebrating Breastfeeding with MCHB Grantees: Becoming Certifed Lactation Counselors (CLC)" resource and from HRSA Home Visitors who support mothers on their breastfeeding journeys in the new "Celebrating Breastfeeding with MCHB Grantees: A Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Breastfeeding Success Story" resource.
SLL:
- Semana de La Lactancia Latina/Latina/x Breastfeeding Week will take place September 3-9. This year's theme is Reclaiming Culture Through Lactation. The observance shares stories, uplifts voices, and comes together to celebrate the culture and resilience of Latino communities, bringing awareness to the unique barriers faced by these communities. The Semana de La Lactancia Latina organizers are hosting the "Virtual National Kickoff Latinx Breastfeeding Event 2024" Facebook Live event on Tuesday, September 3, at 2 p.m. ET. The event will offer a space to share and celebrate Latinx stories and culture.
- The Semana de La Lactancia Latina organizers are looking to uplift events celebrating the week and released an event form where individuals and organization can share their plans.
- The Semana de La Lactancia Latina team is hosting the "Evento Virtual para cerrar la Semana de lactancia Latina/Virtual closing ceremony" on Monday, September 9, at 2 p.m. ET. This is a virtual event to close Latina/x Breastfeeding Week, featuring highlights from the video series and reflections on the week's celebrations and impact.
WLL: This weekend marks the start of Workplace Lactation Week, which will take place from September 1-7. This year's theme is Policy to Practice: Making Lactation Support a Reality. The observance celebrates the contributions of nursing mothers and parents in the workplace and aligns with Labor Day, highlighting the vital role working and pumping parents play in the workforce. Healthy Horizons is offering a free virtual "Back to Work Pumping & Lactation" class on Friday, September 6, at 1 p.m. ET. Register to empower yourself with the knowledge and confidence to make your transition back to work smooth and successful.
Congress.gov: Representative Adams (D-NC-12) introduced a resolution titled, "Expressing support for the designation of the week of August 25, 2024, through August 31, 2024, as 'Black Breastfeeding Week'." The resolution raises awareness about the maternal child health crisis in Black communities and the important role that breastfeeding plays in improving maternal and infant health outcomes.

Local Events

CCL:
- In Honor of Latina/x Breastfeeding Week, Cuenta Conmigo Lactancia and Lifespan Local are hosting "Celebracion de la Semana de la Lactancia Latina" on Wednesday, September 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. MDT at Lifespan Local in Denver, CO. Register to reserve your spot.
- Cuenta Conmigo Lactancia is hosting "Capacitación y Celebración de La Semana de la Lactancia 2024," a celebration and training event on Saturday, September 7, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. MDT at the LINC Library in Greeley, CO. This session offers continuing education credits. Learn more and register.
CSSBC: In honor of Black Breastfeeding Week, the Chicago South Side Birthing Center is hosting the third annual "Latch & Stroll" event on Saturday, August 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT in Russel Square Park in Chicago, IL.
SBC: The Sacramento Breastfeeding Coalition is hosting the "Empower & Nourish: Breastfeeding Education, Healing and Self-Care for the Black Community" event on Saturday, August 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT at the Reason Center in Sacramento, CA. The event will include a Q&A session, lactation education, lunch, and a resource fair featuring local community partners in the mental health, perinatal, and family support fields.
The Village House: The Village House is hosting the "Black Breastfeeding Week Celebration," a storytelling and healing circle in honor of Black Breastfeeding Week, on Saturday, August 31, from 12-5 p.m. PT in Moreno Valley, CA.

Breastfeeding Proclamations

Albany, GA: Mayor Dorough proclaimed the week of August 25 as Black Breastfeeding Week in Albany, Georgia.
Essex County, NJ: The Essex Board of County Commissioners proclaimed August as Breastfeeding Month in the County of Essex.
Iowa: Governor Reynolds proclaimed August as Breastfeeding Month in Iowa.
Massachusetts: Governor Healey proclaimed August as Massachusetts Breastfeeding Month.
Santa Cruz County, CA: The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors proclaimed August as Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Awareness Month in Santa Cruz County, California.
Shawnee, OK: Mayor Bolt proclaimed August as National Breastfeeding Month in the City of Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Wisconsin: Governor Evers proclaimed August as National Breastfeeding Month and issued an additional three proclamations recognizing August 8-14 as Indigenous Milk Medicine Week, August 15-21 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week, and August 25-31 as Black Breastfeeding Week.

NBM News & Views

A Better Balance: "Young Breastfeeding & Lactating Workers Need A Right to Paid Leave"

Minnesota Department of Health: "Award-winning Minnesota WIC program offers Nursing Nest for babies at the State Fair"

U.S. Army: "Military Honors Mothers, Infants by Supporting Breastfeeding"

WKRG: "Take 5: National Breastfeeding Month with Dr. Meg Heusser"

WSJM: "Health Department promotes breastfeeding as part of National Breastfeeding Month"

International News

Guidance Report on the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes

The Global Breastfeeding Collective released "Countering Industry Arguments Against Code Implementation: Evidence and Rights-Based Responses," a guidance report for policymakers and advocates of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes. The report presents the most common arguments the baby food industry uses to oppose Code legislation, alongside responses and counter-arguments based on scientific evidence and international human rights law.

National News

ABM Clinical Protocol on Breastfeeding Promotion Revised

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine released a revised clinical protocol, "Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Clinical Protocol #19: Breastfeeding Promotion in the Prenatal Period." In the updated protocol, prenatal and breastfeeding medicine practitioners are supplied with evidence-based recommendations, helping individuals and organizations to advocate for integrating prenatal breastfeeding promotion into their existing systems.

LGBTQIA2S+ Guide for Professionals Working With Lactating Families

The Maine State Breastfeeding Coalition released the "LGBTQIA2S+ Reference for Professionals," a resource developed to help guide professionals working with LGBTQIA2S+ families in their lactation journeys and provide better care. The guide contains resources that are beneficial for both providers and families.

HHS Annual Progress Report Addresses Maternal Health Crisis

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a report to Congress titled, "Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis in the United States: An Update from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services." The annual progress report provides updates on activities and outcomes of HHS programs working to improve maternity outcomes, trends in U.S. maternal health outcomes, drivers contributing to the maternal health crisis, how HHS is addressing these drivers, and a measurement framework to assess progress in addressing the maternal health crisis. The report includes several initiatives with breastfeeding support components, including the Office on Women's Health Reducing Disparities in Breastfeeding Innovation Challenge.

Surgeon General Advisory on the Mental Health of Parents Cites Paid Leave

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released "Parents Under Pressure: The Surgeon General's Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents." The advisory highlights the urgent need to better support parents, caregivers, and families to help our communities thrive and provides recommendations for national, territorial, state, local, and tribal governments to support parents and caregivers, including the recommendation to establish a national paid family and medical leave program.