Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - USBC Membership Enrollment Now Open, NBM Resources, & 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 Membership Enrollment Now Open, NBM Resources, & more

8/8/2025

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- Join the Movement: USBC Membership Enrollment Now Open!
- USBC Breastfeeding Resource Guide for Parents
Special Section on National Breastfeeding Month
National News
- Paid Leave Report Examines Trends in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Washington
State & Community News
- Pennsylvania Bill Introduced to Require Lactation Rooms in Public Buildings
- Connecticut Bill Requiring Licensure for Lactation Consulting Signed Into Law
Upcoming Events
News & Views
Journal Publications

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

USBC Updates

Join the Movement: USBC Membership Enrollment Now Open!

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) is excited to announce that the 2025 Open Enrollment Period for new organizational members is officially underway! Are you part of an organization passionate about advancing breastfeeding policy and practice across the United States? Now is your chance to become part of the nation’s most unified voice for breastfeeding advocacy. Whether you're a national nonprofit, governmental agency, coalition, or community-based organization, we welcome you to explore membership with USBC. Here’s how to get started: Complete the USBC Membership Interest Form & Affiliated Coalitions Directory Request Form, the first step in our streamlined application process. Eligible organizations will be invited to submit their full membership application by Friday, October 31. As a USBC member, you’ll join a dynamic network committed to equity, collaboration, and meaningful change. Together, we’re expanding, deepening, and diversifying our coalition to better serve families nationwide. Explore our Membership Directory to see who’s already making an impact. Discover the Benefits of Membership and how your organization can contribute to and benefit from being part of the USBC Membership Network.

Let’s build a stronger, more inclusive breastfeeding movement together!

USBC Breastfeeding Resource Guide for Parents

This National Breastfeeding Month, we encourage you to share our "Parent Resources: Breastfeeding & Human Milk" webpage with the families you work with. This resource is designed for expecting and new parents seeking information about breastfeeding and human milk. While the USBC does not offer direct breastfeeding support services or programming, our team developed this curated webpage to help guide families to the providers, information, and resources that can support their infant feeding journey.

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:

Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine: In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is presenting "Feeding Forward," a global storytelling series featuring conversations with ABM members from around the world. Each episode explores what breastfeeding medicine looks like in different countries and cultures — from how care is delivered and regulated, to how families and professionals are supported, to the challenges and triumphs experienced on the ground.
Healthy Horizons: Healthy Horizons announced that nominations are now open for the 8th Annual Lactation Room Contest. Three organizations will win lactation equipment, furniture, services, and supplies for their workplace and lactating parents with a combined value of $20,500. The contest is open through the end of Workplace Lactation Week, Sunday, September 7.
Journal of Human Lactation: In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, the Journal of Human Lactation is offering free access to the article "The Climate Crisis and Breastfeeding: Opportunities for Resilience." This article delves into the multifaceted effects of climate change on breastfeeding and offers solutions for resilience.
1,000 Days: 1,000 Days released the 2025 Breastfeeding Inspiration Guide, a digital social media toolkit with sample social media messaging and graphics for National Breastfeeding Month.

Breastfeeding Proclamations

Chatham County, North Carolina: The Chatham County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution declaring August as National Breastfeeding Month and August 1-7 as World Breastfeeding Week in Chatham County, North Carolina.
City of Fargo, North Dakota: Mayor Mahoney proclaimed August as National Breastfeeding Month and August 1-7, 2025, as World Breastfeeding Week in Fargo, North Dakota.
District of Columbia: Mayor Bowser proclaimed August 2025 as National Breastfeeding Month, commending the observance to all Washingtonians.
Illinois: Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed August as Breastfeeding Promotion Month in the state of Illinois.
Massachusetts: Governor Healey proclaimed August 2025 as Massachusetts Breastfeeding Month.
Ohio: Governor DeWine signed a proclamation declaring August as Ohio Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
Pennsylvania: Governor Shapiro proclaimed August 2025 as Breastfeeding Month in Pennsylvania.
South Carolina: Governor McMaster proclaimed August 2025 as Breastfeeding Month in South Carolina.

Local Events

Healthy Horizons: Healthy Horizons is hosting a "Walk for Breastfeeding Awareness" in Burlingame, CA, on Saturday, August 9 at 9:45 a.m. PT. Join the one-mile walk to help raise awareness for breastfeeding during National Breastfeeding Month.
Sacred Roots Lactation: Sacred Roots is hosting its annual Black Breastfeeding Week celebration, "Milkchella," in Portland, OR, on Saturday, August 23 at 11 a.m. PT. This family-friendly event will feature music, food, giveaways, and resources to honor the beauty, power, and importance of Black lactation and community.

NBM News & Views

AhlulBayt News Agency: "Formula of lie: How capitalism stole motherhood"
Global Breastfeeding Collective Youtube Channel: "Voices of Mothers: How Health Care Systems Can Support Breastfeeding"
New Jersey Education Association: "August is National Breastfeeding Month"
Our Milky Way: "Happy World Breastfeeding Week!"
The Guam Daily Post: "More months, more benefits: Breastfeeding builds a healthier future for the Marianas"
UC San Diego Extended Studies: "Breastfeeding in the Workplace: How You Can Create a Culture of Support"
WIBW: "Kansas advocates join together for breastfeeding month"
World Health Organization: "On World Breastfeeding Week, countries urged to invest in health systems and support breastfeeding mothers"
Women's Rights & Empowerment Network: "Advocacy in Action Spotlight: Kristyn Leonard, IBCLC, CLC"

National News

Paid Leave Report Examines Trends in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Washington

The National Partnership for Women and Families released a report, "Strong State Evidence for Paid Leave: A Look at Connecticut, Rhode Island and Washington State." Diving into previously unpublished data from paid leave programs in the three states, this report examines trends in use of paid leave for each type of claim – medical, family caregiving, and parental – by gender, wage level, and (in Washington) race and ethnicity, as well as intersections of these categories. The report provides a deep dive into how paid leave is being used in one longstanding program and two more recently-implemented programs through an equity lens.

State & Community News

Pennsylvania Bill Introduced to Require Lactation Rooms in Public Buildings

Pennsylvania Senator Cappelletti introduced Senate Bill 940. The bill would require that lactation rooms be provided in Commonwealth buildings for individuals who need to express breastmilk or nurse their child. The bill would require that signage be posted designating the location of the lactation room and that each lactation room be shielded from view, free from intrusion, and contain a chair, a working surface, and an electrical outlet.

Connecticut Bill Requiring Licensure for Lactation Consulting Signed Into Law

Connecticut Governor Lamont signed House Bill 7287 into law. The budget law includes a provision requiring lactation consultants to hold a certification from the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and to obtain a state license to practice. The law provides limited licensure exceptions for certain specified providers whose scope of practice includes lactation consulting.