August is National Breastfeeding Month

The Gratiot County Breastfeeding Coalition (GCBC) is excited to be celebrating our first year this August! The GCBC was established in September of 2022, as a program of Child Advocacy, to collaborate with local organizations and families in creating a more breastfeeding-supportive culture in our community. The coalition meets once a month to share updates on lactation resources and trainings, identify barriers, discuss a relevant educational topic, and plan community events. Meetings are open to anyone who wishes to learn more about how to improve breastfeeding support in our community, and are regularly attended by staff from Child Advocacy, Mid-Michigan District Health Department, MyMichigan Health, Gratiot Integrated Health Network, local doulas, community lactation supporters, and parents. Our educational topics this past year have included presentations about human milk in the NICU, the Infant Mental Health services provided by GIHN, the impact of tethered oral tissues on breastfeeding, WIC, Infant Safe Sleep, the role of doulas in supporting families, and the services provided by Eight Cap & 0-5 Head Start. Monthly meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 4:30 p.m., in the Child Advocacy Training Room as well as Zoom.

Accomplishments in our first year:

• Lactation Supply Drive for the Baby Pantry
• Hosted a Babywearing Workshop with Tri-City Babywearers
• Donated breastfeeding children’s books to all Gratiot County libraries
• The only host located in the state of Michigan for The Global Big Latch On 2023
• Collaborated with Midland, Saginaw, and Bay County Breastfeeding Coalitions to establish and co-facilitate monthly Virtual Breastmilk Circle Support Group

August is the perfect time to recognize, support and promote breastfeeding as it is National Breastfeeding Month! The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee declared August as National Breastfeeding Month in 2011, and this year's theme is This is Our Why: to help shine a light on why breastfeeding advocacy is so important and center the conversation on the babies and families who need our support. Additionally, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action recognizes August 1-7 as World Breastfeeding Week, as a global campaign to raise awareness and galvanize action on themes related to breastfeeding. The GCBC has many events planned throughout the month to honor National Breastfeeding Month; be sure to check out the flyers at the end of this newsletter!

If you have additional questions about the GCBC, or are interested in more information on any of the events in August, please email amanda@childadvocacy.net.

The GCBC has its own website and Facebook page with additional resources and support: www.gcbreastfeedingcoalition.com

We hope you can join us in celebrating, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding this month!

Amanda Siddall

MSN, RN, CLC, Breastfeeding Coalition Coordinator