Weekly Wire: Welcome New USBC Members, New Story Tool Debuts, & 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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Weekly Wire: Welcome New USBC Members, New Story Tool Debuts, & more

11/11/2022

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- New USBC Members: Native Breastfeeding Coalition of Wisconsin and Navajo Breastfeeding Coalition
- Call for Stories: Why Is This Work Important to You?
National News
- Policy Brief on Economics of Infant Feeding in U.S.
- Webpage on the Rights of Pregnant, Postpartum, and Breastfeeding Workers
- Updated DOLWebpage on Rights of Nursing Employees
- Secretary's Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality Meeting in December
- Congressional Briefing on State of Obesity Report
- Digital Training on Preventing Racial Bias in Perinatal Care
Funding Opportunities
News & Views
Journal Publications

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

USBC Updates

New USBC Members: Native Breastfeeding Coalition of Wisconsin and Navajo Breastfeeding Coalition

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is pleased to welcome two new coalitions to the USBC membership! The Native Breastfeeding Coalition of Wisconsin works to encourage the traditional practice of breastfeeding to improve the lives of women, babies, and families for generations to come. The coalition serves the vision that Native Communities support breast milk as the first food to nourish the mind, body, and spirit.

The Navajo Breastfeeding Coalition comes to the USBC membership with a mission of improving the health of Navajo families by providing compassionate, unbiased, and accessible care to birthing families through holistic traditional practices that promote healing. The USBC warmly welcomes both coalitions to the membership community!

Call for Stories: Why Is This Work Important to You?

The USBC has published a new story collector tool asking just two questions about your passion for breastfeeding, human milk, and the policies and practices that protect, promote, and support them. Stories are the fuel that keep us working for real change that families need, and stories help us educate lawmakers about policies that can make a difference. Personal stories allow us to keep a pulse on the needs of today's families, and they serve as a powerful tool to inspire action across all sectors. The easy tool invites you, your network, and the families you serve to tell us about your passion for breastfeeding, be it personally, professionally, or politically (meaning, how can policies help?)! We know that breastfeeding and human milk feeding mean unique things to everyone. We are interested in learning about what fuels you! Please take a moment to share your "why" today!

National News

Policy Brief on Economics of Infant Feeding in U.S.

EconoFact released a policy brief titled "Economics of Infant Feeding in the U.S." The publication examines the full scope of economic tradeoffs families in the U.S. face when deciding how to best ensure the nutritional health of their infant. The brief notes that while the nutritional value of breast milk is high and mothers seem to have internalized the "breast is best" mantra, this recommendation is wildly in conflict with policy support available for mothers (and, families more broadly), and also not aligned with industry drivers for the production and marketing of infant formula.

Webpage on the Rights of Pregnant, Postpartum, and Breastfeeding Workers

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Delaware released a know your rights webpage titled "Pregnant, Post-Partum and Breastfeeding Workers." The webpage answers common questions workers have about pregnancy accommodations, the right to express milk at work, and harassment related to pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as information about where to seek help.

Updated DOL Webpage on Rights of Nursing Employees

The Department of Labor released an informational webpage on the rights of nursing employees. The webpage highlights protections available under the Break Time for Nursing Mothers law, which protects the right to take breaks at work to express milk, and includes resources and sources of help for employees with questions. The webpage is part of the worker.gov website, a one-stop resource center to help workers understand their rights and access resources at the Department of Labor.

Secretary's Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality Meeting in December

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced that the next meeting of the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality (ACIMM) will be held on Wednesday, December 7, from 11-6 p.m. ET. The ACIMM advises the Secretary of Health and Human Services on department activities, partnerships, policies, and programs directed at reducing infant mortality, maternal mortality, and severe maternal morbidity and improving the health status of infants and women before, during, and after pregnancy. The agenda for the meeting is being finalized and will be posted on the ACIMM webpage.

Congressional Briefing on State of Obesity Report

Trust for America's Health is hosting a national webinar titled "State of Obesity 2022: Better Policies for a Healthier America Congressional Briefing" on Wednesday, November 30, at 1:30 p.m. ET. The briefing will explore findings from the latest TFAH report. Speakers will cover the latest data on obesity and its impacts, highlight promising approaches to ensure healthier communities, and offer policy recommendations that can help all Americans lead healthier lives. The State of Obesity report highlights breastfeeding programs' role in addressing obesity, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, and other programs through the CDC Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding funding line.

Digital Training on Preventing Racial Bias in Perinatal Care

Diversity Science released an on-demand complimentary course for individuals titled "Dignity in Pregnancy & Childbirth: Preventing Racial Bias in Perinatal Care." The course uses real-life, composite stories to illustrate the way racial bias, however unintended, can undermine perinatal care. It also provides specific, concrete, evidence-based strategies for interrupting racial bias. The course is also available for organizations.