Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - USBC Feature in USA TODAY "Empowering Working Moms" Campaign & 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 - USBC Feature in USA TODAY "Empowering Working Moms" Campaign & more

8/22/2025

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- USBC Featured in USA TODAY "Empowering Working Moms" Campaign
- USBC Submits Comment to CDC on mPINC Survey
Special Section on National Breastfeeding Month
National News
- Federal Appeals Court Upholds Constitutionality of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
State & Community News
- Illinois Bill Enhancing Workplace Protections for Nursing Mothers Signed Into Law
Funding Opportunities
Upcoming Events
News & Views
Journal Publications

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

USBC Updates

USBC Featured in USA TODAY "Empowering Working Moms" Campaign

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is excited to have a feature article in the "Empowering Working Moms" campaign in USA Today. In 2025, millions of working mothers face challenges balancing their careers with pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and caregiving. Employers and HR leaders have a powerful role to play—through policies, benefits, and workplace cultures that truly support moms. This campaign shares solutions, expert insights, and real stories to inspire positive change in the workplace. Together, we can strengthen our workforce while supporting the moms who are at the heart of it.

USBC Submits Comment to CDC on mPINC Survey

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee submitted a comment to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in response to the public comment opportunity on Monitoring Breastfeeding-Related Maternity Care via the Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) survey. The mPINC survey is a key tool for tracking how maternity care practices support breastfeeding. The USBC comment affirms the utility of the survey as a vital component of monitoring breastfeeding-related practices and provides recommendations to ensure the survey reflects the full scope of infant feeding experiences, identifies gaps in lactation support, and continues to inform improvements in hospital care.

Special Section on National Breastfeeding Month

It's National Breastfeeding Month! The 2025 NBM theme is Forward Together. The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee and the lactation field are busy preparing activities, events, and celebrations. Join us as we take the 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 help support important campaigns like this one. Highlights from the field include:

AANHPI Lactation Collaborative: The AANHPI Lactation Collaborative is inviting professionals who identify as AANHPI or primarily serve AANHPI communities in birthing or lactation to take the "Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Resource Mapping Survey," which will be used to help create a public resource directory and shape future projects that increase access to culturally grounded lactation support.
Black Mamas Matter Alliance: In Honor of Black Breastfeeding Week, Black Mamas Matter Alliance is hosting a webinar, "Centering Community in Breastfeeding Research," on Friday, August 29. The webinar will share research findings and strategies for culturally informed breastfeeding interventions that advance equity and improve outcomes for Black families.
Global Military Lactation Community: The Global Military Lactation Community (GMLC) announced that the theme for the 2025 Military Lactation Celebration is Decade of Dedication. As part of National Breastfeeding Month, GMLC hosts a three-day lactation celebration for U.S. military families worldwide, from August 22 through August 24. This year, GMLC is honoring its first Decade of Dedication, a decade in which every ounce of progress in supporting the infant/child feeding needs of military communities has been fueled by purpose, persistence, and the unwavering commitment of hundreds of volunteers.

Hackensack Meridian Health: As part of their "Breastfeeding Month Lecture Series: Prioritize Breastfeeding & Create Sustainable Support Systems", Hackensack Meridian Health is hosting a webinar, "Black Breastfeeding Week: Under-utilization of breastfeeding services: how to better support the Black dyad and to promote exclusive breastfeeding" on Wednesday, August 27. This series is designed for Physicians, Nurses, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, and Lactation Consultants.

Breastfeeding Proclamations

Cascade County, Montana: The Cascade County Board of Commissioners proclaimed August 1-7 as National WIC Breastfeeding Week.
Guam: Governor Guerrero signed a proclamation declaring August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Guam.
Lima, Ohio: Mayor Smith proclaimed August 2025 as Breastfeeding Awareness Month in the City of Lima, Ohio.
Mohave County, Arizona: The Mohave County Board of Supervisors and Board of Health signed a proclamation declaring August 1–7, 2025, as National WIC Breastfeeding Week in Mohave County, Arizona.
Mono County, California: The Mono County Board of Supervisors adopted a proclamation designating August 2025 as National Breastfeeding Month.
Nebraska: Governor Pillen proclaimed August as Nebraska Breastfeeding Month.
Santa Cruz, California: Mayor Keeley proclaimed August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month in the City of Santa Cruz, California.

Local NBM Events

Healthy Savannah: In honor of Black Breastfeeding Week, Healthy Savannah is hosting a screening of "Chocolate Milk," a film about the breastfeeding experiences of African American mothers, followed by a discussion on Sunday, August 24, in Savannah, Georgia.

NBM News & Views

Inc. Magazine: "Businesses Can’t Afford to Ignore Workplace Lactation Week: Small and medium-size businesses have multiple ways to support working parents."
KIMT News 3: "Olmsted County WIC wins national award for breastfeeding support"
La Leche League USA: "Conversations about Breastfeeding Support in AANHPI Languages"
Marshfield Mail: "Webster County Health Unit earns National Breastfeeding Award"
Northcentral PA: "UPMC lactation consultant: The power of breastfeeding"
Observer Research Foundation: "Breastfeeding and malnutrition: A global perspective"
Rice County Public Health: "National Breastfeeding Month: Rice County Public Health lactation counselors support families"
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department: "Why breastfeeding is great for babies—and for moms"
WBOY: "Breastfeeding Awareness Walk held in Morgantown"

National News

Federal Appeals Court Upholds Constitutionality of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling in Texas v. Bondi overturning a lower court’s injunction that had blocked enforcement of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) for state employees in Texas. The ruling held that PWFA was passed constitutionally under pandemic-era proxy voting rules. The decision ensures that reasonable workplace accommodations for pregnant and postpartum workers remain enforceable nationwide and for Texas state employees. Highlights from the field include:

A Better Balance: "Federal Court Issues Big Win for Women’s Rights and Democracy"
HR Dive: "Pregnant Workers Fairness Act must be enforced in Texas after all, 5th Circuit says"

State & Community News

Illinois Bill Enhancing Workplace Protections for Nursing Mothers Signed Into Law

Illinois Governor Pritzker signed SB212 into law. The new law amends the state’s Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act to clarify that employees must be paid at their regular rate during breaks to express breast milk, that paid breaks must be provided as needed by the employee, and that employers cannot require the employee to use paid leave to express milk or reduce the employee's compensation during the break time in any other manner.