Weekly Wire: Infant Formula Shortage Webinar Today, NBM Graphics Available, Share Your Workplace Support Story, and more

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Weekly Wire: Infant Formula Shortage Webinar Today, NBM Graphics Available, Share Your Workplace Support Story, and more

7/22/2022

Weekly Wire: July 22, 2022

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- USBC Webinar Highlight on Infant Formula Shortage
- Share Your Workplace Support Story
- Give to the USBC
Special Section on National Breastfeeding Month 2022
International News
- Recap of WHA Discussion and Action on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition
National News
- Webinar on Updated AAP Breastfeeding Guidelines
- Webinar on Community Human Milk Sharing
- Applications Open for EMPower Best Practices Hospital Cohort
- Webinar on Federal Workplace Rights for New and Expecting Workers
- Roundtable Discussion on PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act
- House Committee Call for Paid Leave and Child Care Stories
- Bill to Improve Protections for Children in Immigration Custody Introduced in House
- Fact Sheet on Actions to Strengthen Infant Formula Resiliency in WIC Program
- Resources on Imported Infant Formula
- Final Research Plan on Breastfeeding Interventions
- Public Comment Opportunity on Planned MIECHV Information Collection
News & Views
- Media Highlights
- Journal Publications

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

USBC Updates

USBC Webinar Highlight on Infant Formula Shortage

The USBC Deputy Director, Amelia Psmythe Seger, is a panelist on a webinar titled "Feeding Babies and Toddlers Safely: Update on the Formula Shortage Webinar." The webinar is hosted by the National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers and will take place on Friday, July 22, at 2:30 p.m. ET. Panelists will participate in a discussion about infant nutrition security, how families across the country are faring today, the systems that must be fixed, and steps that can be taken to ensure that this never happens again.

Share Your Workplace Support Story

The USBC has announced a call for stories on workplace lactation protections. Nearly 9 million women of childbearing age are not covered by the Break Time for Nursing Mothers law, the federal provision that requires break time and a private space for lactating employees to pump during the workday. The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act would close this coverage gap, and we're still working hard to call on the Senate to pass the PUMP Act into law. One of the most effective ways to change hearts and minds (and move legislation) is by sharing stories from real people illuminating the need for the right to pump at work. When legislators hear about the actual babies, parents, and providers counting on them, it makes a difference! Just a few sentences in your own words can help us demonstrate to policymakers why their action is so important. When you visit our story tool, you'll find question prompts on this and several other topics to help get your thoughts flowing.

Give to the USBC

It's been a busy six months for us at the USBC! In addition to coordinating and unveiling the theme for National Breastfeeding Month, Together We Do Great Things, we launched a proclamation toolkit for state and local organizations, and hosted our annual conference. And that's not at all! Our work to connect with legislators and mobilize action on critical policy priorities like the PUMP Act and federal funding for breastfeeding is continuing to make waves. The USBC relies solely on donations to support advocacy efforts like these, and we are asking for your support. Please make a donation today!

Special Section on National Breastfeeding Month 2022

National Breastfeeding Month is right around the corner! We invite all member organizations, breastfeeding coalitions, partner organizations, and individuals to participate in online action and conversation about the policy and practice changes needed to build a landscape of support for babies and families. Please share your organization's plans so we can amplify your work in the Weekly Wire and on social media. Highlights from the field include:

APIBTF: The Asian & Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Task Force announced the theme of this year's Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week: Telling Our Own Stories. Elevating Our Voices.
GBC: The Global Breastfeeding Collective is hosting a webinar titled "Take Ten Steps Up for Breastfeeding" on Wednesday, August 3. In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, speakers will discuss the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, talk about tools and resources to help adopt the Ten Steps in health systems, and share stories about the Ten Steps in action. The webinar will be presented twice with simultaneous translation in Arabic, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
LER: Lactation Education Resources extended the "Rising Tide Scholarship" application period to Monday, August 15. The scholarship is designed to increase the number of Black IBCLCs in the United States. Award recipients will be announced during Black Breastfeeding Week.
MIBFN: The Michigan Breastfeeding Network launched a virtual 5K taking place throughout August. Individuals can participate in the "MOVE for the Breastfeeding Justice Movement 5K" from anywhere, as an individual or with others. Proceeds from this 5K will go towards MIBFN's efforts for systemic breastfeeding change in Michigan.
PABC: The Pennsylvania Breastfeeding Coalition announced that Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf published a proclamation declaring August as Breastfeeding Month in the state.
- Has your organization requested a state or local breastfeeding proclamation? Please share your proclamation news and updates so we can amplify your efforts!
USAID: USAID Advancing Nutrition is hosting a webinar titled "Developing Capacity: Strengthening Breastfeeding Counseling in Kenya through Mentorship" in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week on Tuesday, August 2, at 7 a.m. ET. Speakers will highlight a competency-driven mentoring program designed to strengthen skills in breastfeeding counseling among health workers in Kenya. They will share insights and considerations for others interested in designing mentoring programs and other types of capacity-strengthening activities, focusing on unique considerations around strengthening breastfeeding counseling competencies.
USBC: The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee launched a series of unbranded graphics featuring the National Breastfeeding Month 2022 logo. The shareable graphics can be used by individuals and organizations to honor this important observance. Access the graphics on the NBM webpage.

International News

Recap of WHA Discussion and Action on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition

The Infant Feeding Action Coalition (INFACT) posted a recap from the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) titled "Global trading standards must follow WHO in restricting harmful marketing." The post highlights the concerns raised by 45 countries at the World Health Assembly about the Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition agenda item. Many countries stressed the importance of protection against deceptive tactics that idealize the safety and nutritional value of baby feeding products and mislead parents.

National News

Webinar on Updated AAP Breastfeeding Guidelines

The American Academy of Pediatrics will host a webinar titled "What's New with the 2022 AAP Breastfeeding Policy?" on Wednesday, August 10, at 8 p.m. ET. Speakers will highlight recommendations of the revised AAP Policy Statement on Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. The session will summarize the current breastfeeding statistics, benefits of breastfeeding, and opportunities to advocate for breastfeeding supportive policies at the local, state, and national levels.

Webinar on Community Human Milk Sharing

The California Breastfeeding Coalition is hosting a webinar titled "How to Support Families Who Engage in Community Human Milk Sharing" on Tuesday, July 26, at 3 p.m. ET. A panel of speakers will discuss the current evidence for community milk-sharing and how to apply best practices for shared decision-making with families. They will also highlight best practices for informing families about guidelines for medical screening of potential milk donors and safe handling and storage of human milk.

Applications Open for EMPower Best Practices Hospital Cohort

The Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute opened enrollment for the next cohort of the EMPower Best Practices project. EMPower Best Practices is a hospital-based quality improvement project aimed at improving evidence-based maternity care practices supportive of optimal infant nutrition through skills-based competency training and ongoing technical assistance. Through the initiative, EMPower Best Practices will provide training materials, tools, and resources to help each participating hospital build a tailored, sustainable training plan at no cost. All U.S.-based hospitals are eligible to participate in the program.

Webinar on Federal Workplace Rights for New and Expecting Workers

The U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is hosting a webinar titled "Working Mothers: What to Expect from Your Employer When You're Expecting" on Wednesday, August 10, at 1 p.m. ET. Speakers from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and WHD will provide information on the federal laws that protect pregnant workers from discrimination, provide time off for the birth or adoption of a child, and ensure that nursing workers can take breaks to pump breast milk while at work.

Roundtable Discussion on PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act

First 1000 Days Kansas is hosting an event as part of their "First Fridays Policy Round Table" series on Friday, August 5, at 10 a.m. ET. Tina Sherman from MomsRising and Jessica Lee from the Center for WorkLife Law will discuss updates on the status of the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act.

House Committee Call for Paid Leave and Child Care Stories

The House Ways & Means Committee issued a call for stories about the impact of paid leave and child care policies on working women. The Committee is looking for individuals to share what their daily lives look like without paid leave or child care and why access to these policies is critical. Stories can be shared as a short video, photo with a caption, or written piece. The deadline to submit stories is Monday, August 15.

Bill to Improve Protections for Children in Immigration Custody Introduced in House

The Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2022 (S. 4529/H.R. 8349) has been introduced in both the House and Senate. The bill would establish new standards to ensure that the safety and well-being of children in immigration custody are prioritized, including supporting breastfeeding.

Fact Sheet on Actions to Strengthen Infant Formula Resiliency in WIC Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a fact sheet titled "Biden-Harris Administration Announces Actions to Strengthen Infant Formula Access Resiliency in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)." The publication highlights actions that the Administration has taken to ensure WIC participants have access to infant formula and includes future steps the USDA will take.

Resources on Imported Infant Formula

The Food & Drug Administration released a series of resources for parents and caregivers on imported infant formula. Resources include an infographic comparing formula labels, a video gallery about preparing infant formula, and descriptions of the safety review processes.

Final Research Plan on Breastfeeding Interventions

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published the final research plan on interventions to support breastfeeding. The research plan includes key questions, contextual questions, and the Task Force's research approach. Next, the Task Force will release a draft recommendation and draft evidence plan and open another public comment period.

Public Comment Opportunity on Planned MIECHV Information Collection

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Human Resources and Services Administration launched a public comment period for proposed information collection for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program: Advancing Health Equity in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency project. The project aims to understand how health equity can be advanced during the COVID-19 public health emergency in communities with MIECHV-funded home visiting programs. The deadline to submit comments is Monday, August 15.