Weekly Wire: Staying Abreast: Share Your #ThisIsOurWhy Story & more

In this issue:

• USBC Updates
  • Share Your #ThisIsOurWhy Story
  • Order Your NBM T-Shirts Before They're Gone!
• Special Section on National Breastfeeding Month
• International News
  • Statement by UNICEF Executive Director and WHO Director-General on World Breastfeeding Week
• National News
  • CDC NIS Breastfeeding Data
  • NASEM Report: Federal Policy to Advance Racial, Ethnic, and Tribal Health Equity
• State & Community News
  • Minnesota Webinar on Pregnant/New Parent Workers' Rights and Protections
  • State of Breastfeeding in Kansas 2023 Report
• Funding Opportunities
• News & Views

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

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USBC Updates

Share Your #ThisIsOurWhy Story

This National Breastfeeding Month, join the celebration by sharing your stories about why increasing support for breastfeeding and increasing access to human milk is important to you. The 2023 NBM theme is This Is Our Why, which celebrates the many reasons breastfeeding and human milk are important, as well as why we, as advocates, work to protect, promote, and support human milk feeding. Each of us has our own "why": why we care, why we work so hard, why we are passionate, and why we don't give up. The USBC will be amplifying stories during National Breastfeeding Month to demonstrate why our collective work is so important. Beyond August, we will be sharing your compelling stories with policymakers and partners, and featuring excerpts in campaigns that make the case for critical policy changes that impact babies, mothers, lactating people, and families nationwide. Take a moment to share your story with us today!

Order Your NBM T-Shirts Before They're Gone!

We invite you to shop the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee's National Breastfeeding Month 2023 Bonfire store to order this year's limited-edition t-shirt featuring the This is Our Why logo on the back which lists the many reasons why the support and protection of breastfeeding and human milk feeding are so important. Available in a variety of colors and styles, we hope you'll find one that's perfect for you and your whole team. Make a donation at point of sale! Visit our Ways to Give webpage to learn about all of the ways you can support the USBC vision of thriving families and communities, including giving a sustaining gift this National Breastfeeding Month by becoming a monthly donor. 

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Special Section on National Breastfeeding Month 

National Breastfeeding Month (NBM) kicked off this week, and we invite you to join us as we take the time 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 and make a donation to help support critical advocacy efforts. While the Weekly Wire generally does not include paid events, events occurring during National Breastfeeding Month are the exception to this rule. Highlights from the field include:

• 1,000 Days: 1,000 Days released the2023 Breastfeeding Inspiration Guide, which contains ready-to-share social media and communications messaging, graphics, and content from various organizations celebrating National Breastfeeding Month, including the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee.
•  COBA: The Coalition of Oklahoma Breastfeeding Advocates is hosting a free webinar celebrating National Breastfeeding Month, "A Pediatrician's Advice on Your Breastfeeding Journey," on Friday, August 11 at 12:30 p.m. ET. The webinar offers parents and providers tools and tips for successful breastfeeding.
•  MIBFN: The Michigan Breastfeeding Network is hosting its second annual virtual 5K: "2023 Moving Together for Systems Change 5K." After signing up for the run, you will get an exclusive design t-shirt and can participate in the 5K at any point in August!
• pumpspotting: In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, pumpspotting is hosting a Mother Pumpin Party on Friday, August 4 at 11 a.m. ET. The event is a virtual party with inspiring stories and speakers, including USBC Executive Director, Nikia Sankofa, audience participation in polls and app challenges, and giveaways and gifts. RSVP to join the party! 
•  SDBC: 
  • In celebration of Indigenous Milk Medicine Week, the San Diego Breastfeeding Coalition is hosting a virtual webinar, "How The Nooni Project Helps Reclaim Breastfeeding in Indigenous Communities Part 2," on Friday, August 11 at 1 p.m. ET. Participants will learn about Historical trauma, how it's passed down, how it manifests itself, and how to serve Indigenous communities in breastfeeding and beyond. 
  • The San Diego Breastfeeding Coalition is hosting a virtual webinar, "Culturally-Based Engagement & Support for Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Families," on Thursday, August 17 at 3 p.m. ET. The discussion will cover the modern cultural social practices of NHPI people and how understanding these social practices will help you better engage and learn how you can support the community in the prenatal and postpartum period and with lactation. 
•  SEMI: The Southeast Michigan IBCLCs of Color is hosting a live stream of "Changing the Face of Lactation Support: If Not Us, Then Who?" on Wednesday, August 30 at 2:30 p.m. ET. This documentary sheds light on the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of IBCLCs of Color in Southeast Michigan.
• USBC: The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee released the 2023 NBM Google Drive on the National Breastfeeding Month webpage. The folder contains a number of sharable USBC graphics and QR codes to help promote National Breastfeeding Month.

Local Events

• AABN: The African American Breastfeeding Network is hosting its9th Annual Lift Up Every Baby! event on Saturday, August 26 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. CT at the Heritage Green Park in Milwaukee, WI. The goal of the event is to acknowledge and celebrate community strengths, assets, cultural norms, and Black resilience despite institutionalized racism, health disparities, and inequities. 
• Breastfeeding Coalition of Ventura County: The Breastfeeding Coalition of Ventura County is hosting its first annual Birth & Baby Resource Fair on Saturday, August 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT at Barranca Vista Park in Ventura, CA to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week. The Breastfeeding Coalition of Ventura County and the Ventura Coast Milk Bank have partnered to provide free access to valuable family resources on pregnancy, birth, parenting, breastfeeding, donor human milk, post-partum care, and maternal mental health.
•  BSTARS: Breastfeeding Sisters that are Receiving Support is hosting a 3k walk and Health Fair in support of Black Breastfeeding Week on August 27 at the Historic Robert Church Park in Memphis, TN. Registration for the walk is at 8:30 a.m. CT and the walk starts at 9 a.m. CT. 
• Division of Indian Work: In honor of Indigenous Milk Medicine Week, the Division of Indian Work in Minneapolis is hosting a Milk Walk/Run on Sunday, August 13 from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. CT at the Bde Maka Ska-Thomas Beach. Refreshments and snacks will be provided and participants will receive a t-shirt at the end of the run.  
•  Navajo Breastfeeding Coalition: The Navajo Breastfeeding Coalition is celebrating National Breastfeeding Month with a Health Fair, Farmer's Market, and Family Fun Walk at the Window Rock Bashas Parking Lot in Window Rock, Arizona on Wednesday, August 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m MT. 

Breastfeeding Month Proclamations

• Kansas: Governor Kelly Vickers issued a proclamation declaring August 2023 Kansas Breastfeeding Month.
• Michigan: Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation declaring August 2023 as Breastfeeding Month in Michigan.
• Saline County, MO: Mayor Vince Lutterbie issued a proclamation declaring this week Saline County Breastfeeding Awareness Week, 2023.

NBM News & Views

• CBS Texas: "National Breastfeeding Month: Texas WIC celebrates mothers, offers free support"
• Fox10 News: "Dr. Francie Ruzic with Mobile Bay OB-GYN Center discusses breastfeeding"
• WAND: "CUPHD holding supply drive for National Breastfeeding Month"

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International News

Statement by UNICEF Executive Director and WHO Director-General on World Breastfeeding Week

UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell and WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued a joint statement on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week. The statement emphasizes the importance of supportive workplaces in increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates to reach the global 2030 target of 70 percent. UNICEF and WHO are calling on governments, donors, civil society, and the private sector to step up efforts to take measures to support breastfeeding in the workplace.

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National News

CDC NIS Breastfeeding Data

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new breastfeeding rates from the National Immunization Survey - Child (NIS-Child). The data examines infant feeding rates and characteristics among U.S. children born between 2013 and 2020.

NASEM Report: Federal Policy to Advance Racial, Ethnic, and Tribal Health Equity

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine pre-published a consensus study report titled, "Federal Policy to Advance Racial, Ethnic, and Tribal Health Equity." The report analyzes how past and current federal policies may create, maintain, and/or amplify racial, ethnic, and tribal health inequities and mentions breastfeeding in the context of doula care as an evidence-based, cost-effective way to mitigate racial and ethnic health inequities around birth. This report identifies key features of policies that have served to reduce inequities and makes recommendations to help achieve racial, ethnic, and tribal health equity.

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State & Community News

Minnesota Webinar on Pregnant/New Parent Workers' Rights and Protections

The Minnesota Department of Health WIC Program and Family Home Visiting Program are hosting a webinar, "Minnesota Workers' Rights and Protections for Pregnant and New Parents," on Thursday, August 17 at 11:30 a.m. ET. The session will feature speakers from the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage & Hour Division, and Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry who will discuss updates to worker protections for pregnant and new parents and case examples highlighting the 2023 changes to the law. The primary audience for this webinar is WIC, Family Home Visiting, public health staff, and other healthcare professionals supporting families returning to work. 1.5 L-CERPs will be provided to participants through a partnership with the Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition.

 State of Breastfeeding in Kansas 2023 Report

The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition released the State of Breastfeeding in Kansas 2023 report. The report includes breastfeeding rates in the state and action resources for individuals, hospitals, healthcare providers, state and local governments, and businesses.

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Funding Opportunities

HHS: "Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) (S06 Clinical Trial Optional)." Application deadline: August 7, 2026.

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News & Views

Breast/Chestfeed New Haven: "Media Advisory: Union Station Lactation Space Launch"

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Journal Publications

American Journal of Preventative Medicine: "Associations Between Breastfeeding and Post-perinatal Infant Deaths in the U.S."

Breastfeeding Medicine: "Promotion, Protection, and Support of Breastfeeding as a Human Right: A Narrative Review"