August is here and you know what that means - It is National Breastfeeding Month!!
Every August I take time to reflect on my own breastfeeding journey with my four boys - From my oldest who was a comfort nurser to my twins who I initially pumped for every 2 hours and tube feed breastmilk in the NICU to my youngest who weaned earlier this spring after nursing for 2 years, 5 months and 27 days (not that I was counting).
I also reflect on the joys and struggles that my friends, my colleagues, my peers, and my community face meeting their breastfeeding goals. How public policies like paid family and medical leave, access to affordable and quality healthcare, and workplace accommodations for pumping moms, could have helped knock down many of the barriers that they face.
The moms I know are not alone. Right now far too many moms plan to breastfeed but hit seemingly insurmountable hurdles when they return to work. While nearly four out of five U.S. mothers start out breastfeeding, less than half are still breastfeeding at six months postpartum.
That’s why I am excited that MomsRIsing is celebrating National Breastfeeding Month focusing on YOU and the policies that could help breastfeeding moms meet their goals. Haven’t shared your story? You can do so now. Is social media your thing? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with #NBMRisers17.
Join us throughout the month of August on Twitter for our #WellnessWed series. Our Wellness Wednesday tweet chats are 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. Be sure to use hashtag #WellnessWed to follow the conversations. This month’s topics include:
- August 1-5 (to coincide with World Breastfeeding Week): Breastfeeding and Healthcare
- August 6-11: Breastfeeding & Birth Stories (Tweetstorm)
- August 13-19: Breastfeeding and Pumping Rights #IPumpedHere
- August 20-26: Breastfeeding and Racial Equity
- August 27-31: Black Breastfeeding Week: Bet On Black!
And every Monday, our Military Mondays blog post series will focus on breastfeeding.
Join us in celebrating National Breastfeeding Month. Share your story and advocate for public policies that support ALL breastfeeding moms!
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