As National Breastfeeding Month comes to a close today, we reflect on the activities and learnings on promoting breastfeeding intention, initiation, and duration during the month of August 2021. From the first-ever National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week to Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association’s Michigan Community-Based Doula Summit, we are inspired by the stories of resilience, support, and cultural preservation to strengthen breastfeeding across communities.
Our highlights from National Breastfeeding Month include:
- The Chicago Regional Breastfeeding Taskforce Baby Shower celebrating World Breastfeeding Week on August 7th,
where HealthConnect One provided baby supplies and information on COVID-19 vaccines and pregnancy/lactation.
- #FoodFri Twitter Chat on Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding + Food Health, led by Moms Rising on August 13th. View the full conversation here.
- Completion of Breastfeeding Advocate Training with Cohort 1 The training, a major component of the First Food Equity Project supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, will train close to 100 Black, Brown, and Indigenous individuals serving birthing communities of color. Learn more here.
- Op-Ed on Why We Need A Black Breastfeeding Week by LaBrisa Williams, the Executive Director of the Tulsa Birth Equity Initiative, a HealthConnect One community-based doula replication site.
- LacationLegislation Instagram Live on Ausgust 25th we kicked off #BlackBreastfeedingWeek with a conversation on the impact of legislation on lactation for Black birthing people with Tina Sherman of MomsRising.
- Breastfeeding Engagement During the Pandemic Twitter Chat on August 26th we discussed Breastfeeding Engagement and Support During the Pandemic alongside our partnersBlack Mothers Breastfeeding Association, Chicago Regional Breastfeeding Taskforce, Reaching our Sisters Everywhere, and the Northeast Mississippi Birthing Project. Read the full conversation here.
- Lactation Across Borders Roundtable Discussion to close out National Breastfeeding Month we held a roundtable discussion on “Lactation Across Borders: Breastfeeding and Lactation Culture and Practice within Immigrant Communities.” During thediscussion, panelists working with immigrant communities across America to strengthen their maternal and child health outcomes shared their insights on supporting breastfeeding within these communities. Replay will be avaiblae soon here.
Post image credit: Black and Brown Breastfeeding Week Denver Facebook Page