Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Welcoming New USBC Members, AAP Clinical Report on Human Milk for VLBW Infants

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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The WW goes on hiatus several times a year: the weeks of the Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New Year's holidays, the weeks before the Presidents Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day holidays, and the weeks of the USBC membership meetings.

Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Welcoming New USBC Members, AAP Clinical Report on Human Milk for VLBW Infants

1/16/2026

Weekly Wire: January 16, 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
- Welcoming New USBC Member Organizations: AfterBirth LLC and Balsam Bosom Wellness and Restorative Center, LLC
- 2026 National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening: Early Bird Rates Extended!
National News
- AAP Clinical Report on Promoting Breastfeeding and Human Milk for VLBW Infants
- Updated Paid Leave Explainers
State & Community News
- Arizona Bill Introduced to Require Medicaid Coverage of Lactation Care
- Missouri Bill Introduced to Exempt Breast Pumps from Sales Tax
- New York Bill Introduced to Improve Access to Lactation Rooms in Public Facilities
Action Opportunities
Upcoming Events
News & Views

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

USBC Updates

Welcoming New USBC Member Organizations: AfterBirth LLC and Balsam Bosom Wellness and Restorative Center, LLC

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is thrilled to welcome 18 organizations to the USBC member network as of January 2026! Over the coming weeks, each edition of the Weekly Wire newsletter will highlight two new member organizations, presented in alphabetical order. This week, we are highlighting AfterBirth LLC and Balsam Bosom Wellness and Restorative Center, LLC.

The mission of AfterBirth LLC is to promote and sustain the health and wellbeing of children and their families by providing quality, affordable, comprehensive primary care pediatric and early postpartum services near Anderson, South Carolina. AfterBirth strives to voice the needs of the underserved in spaces where they are rarely heard.

Located in Weptumpka, Alabama, Balsam Bosom Wellness and Restorative Center, LLC offers pre-puberty to senior care education, resources, and supplies for breast health and development with enhanced advocacy, support programs, and on-site products for women who are breastfeeding and those diagnosed with breast cancer.

The USBC warmly welcomes all new and returning member organizations to our table!

2026 National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening: Early Bird Rates Extended!

Are you thinking about attending the USBC annual conference but disappointed that you missed the discounted pricing? We have great news! Early bird and discounted rates have been extended through the end of January. Register by Saturday, January 31, 2026, to take advantage of the best ticket price of the season! The 2026 National Breastfeeding Conference and Convening, themed Rooted in Legacy, Growing Toward Justice, is designed to develop and strengthen the leadership capacity of the public health workforce, including representatives from direct service organizations, breastfeeding coalitions, hospitals and healthcare facilities, health departments, research institutions, and federal agencies. We hope you'll join us as we convene to strengthen our collective impact in protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding at the national, state, local, and community levels. Download the preliminary agenda, access the link to booking your lodging at the group rate, or review marketing and sponsorship opportunities on the USBC Conference webpage. More information about USBC Member Organization discounts and promotional codes can be found in the Monthly Member Newsletter.

National News

AAP Clinical Report on Promoting Breastfeeding and Human Milk for VLBW Infants

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a new clinical report, "Promoting Human Milk and Breastfeeding for the Very Low Birth Weight Infant: Clinical Report," reaffirming that a mother’s own milk is the standard for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). When the mother's milk is unavailable or insufficient, the AAP recommends pasteurized donor human milk to reduce the risk of serious complications, including necrotizing enterocolitis — highlighting its critical role in protecting vulnerable infants.

Updated Paid Leave Explainers

New America released updated paid leave resources. "Explainer: Paid and Unpaid Leave Policies in the United States" offers an updated overview and map of state paid leave programs, including modifications to durations and family caregiving coverage. "Explainer: Paid Leave Benefits and Funding in the United States" provides an updated overview of how benefit rates, benefit amounts, and contributions compare across states.

State & Community News

Arizona Bill Introduced to Require Medicaid Coverage of Lactation Care

Arizona Representative Fink introduced HB2051. The bill would require Medicaid coverage of breastfeeding and lactation care services, including consultations, education, and counseling provided in inpatient, outpatient, home-based, and group settings.

Missouri Bill Introduced to Exempt Breast Pumps from Sales Tax

Missouri Senator Washington introduced SB872. The bill would authorize a sales tax exemption for electric and manual breast pumps as well as collection and storage supplies, in addition to other items used to initiate, support, or sustain breastfeeding when using a breast pump.

New York Bill Introduced to Improve Access to Lactation Rooms in Public Facilities

New York Senator Cleare introduced S8652. The bill would revise the definition of "lactation room" to include specific features such as a chair, a working surface, nearby access to clean running water, and an electrical outlet if the building has electricity. The bill would also require signage for lactation rooms in public buildings and the compilation of a publicly accessible directory of public buildings with available lactation rooms.