Here’s a spin on National Breastfeeding Month: activism! August is National Breastfeeding Month and August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week, which is a time to advance breastfeeding as part of the country’s larger healthcare agenda. Throughout the month, MomsRising.org will collaborate with other groups to advocate for a society that is more supportive of breastfeeding. Join us!

One event we’re really excited to present bridges the gap between celebrating breastfeeding and moving the country forward with breastfeeding-friendly policies. “Action for the Summer Recess” is a free, live webinar on Thursday, August 8th, 11-12:30 PM PST/2-3:30 PM ET with the United States Breastfeeding Committee, MomsRising.org, National Partnership for Women & Families and National WIC Association about actions breastfeeding supporters like you can take during this month. We will cover:

• The latest developments on breastfeeding-related legislation/policy from Capitol Hill and Washington DC;
• The talking points and messages you can use to make show the importance of policies and programs that support breastfeeding; and,
• Graphic tools and materials to use during the August recess to educate legislators.

All are welcome - to participate click here.

Here's what else is in store for the rest of the month:

Week 1: August 5-10
Topic: Peer counseling

• We’re kicking off a rousing round of applause for peer counselors. Keep an eye out for the image and help it make the rounds on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. When you see it, like it and share it with the hashtag #PeerCounselorsROCK
• Has a peer counselor made a difference in your breastfeeding relationship? Join the #WellnessWed tweetchat on Wednesday, August 7th, 11-1 PST/2-3 PM ET and share your story.
• We’re bringing back the #BlkBfing tweetchat with Breastfeeding ROSE (@Support_ROSE) and special guest, Ebony Magazine (@EBONYMag). On Thursday, August 8th, 5-6 PM PST/8-9 PM ET we’ll be discussing the impact of community-based breastfeeding counseling and media on breastfeeding among African-Americans.

Week 2: August 11-17
Topic: Paid Family Leave
What is the connection between Paid Family Leave and breastfeeding success? Stay tuned to our blog and social media pages for graphics and stories that highlight how paid family leave did or could have helped families get a solid start to breastfeeding.

Week 3: August 18-24
Topic: Maternity Care Practices
Hear from Childbirth Connection and Amnesty International about the how maternity care practices relate to the initiation of and overall experiences of breastfeeding families.

Week 4: August 25-31
Topic: Employer Support

• A 3 week-long collection of “Pumping in progress” signs will culminate in a collage celebrating moms who pump at work and the employers who respect their right to do so. The hashtag for this event is #PumpingAtWork.
• Listen to MomsRising radio and read our blog for details on the First Food movement and details about the law protecting break time to pump breastmilk at work.