Volume 8, Issue 3 | June 5, 2020
From Dr. Sarah Jolley, KBC Chair

So much has happened (and also not happened) since our last KBC Update was sent at the end of March! I helped my children finish up the school year from home while also working from home. I’m sure some of you can relate to that experience! While some of you can relate to working from home and/or taking care of children, I’m also sure there are some of you who have lost jobs or been furloughed. Still others of you are frontline or essential workers and have continued working, possibly even working extra during this time. COVID-19 is a situation unlike any most of us have ever faced, and each of us is likely dealing with changes and struggles we didn’t see coming. As experts work to understand the virus and its impact, each of us work to adjust to the changes we’ve seen in our everyday lives. 
 
These are challenging and stressful times. In addition to COVID-19, the murder of George Floyd is yet another event that highlights the systemic racism that is prevalent in our country. Racism is a public health issue, and the disparities we see in things like COVID-19 deaths and in breastfeeding outcomes provide evidence of that. The KBC, along with our members and partners such as the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, remains committed to addressing racial and ethnic disparities in breastfeeding rates. We believe the following will be essential in that work: 
  • Increasing access to lactation support providers of color
  • Supporting community-centered, culturally relevant mother-to-mother breastfeeding support clubs
  • Supporting breastfeeding coalitions and organizations led by people of color 
 
While our in-person listening tour dates originally scheduled for this month have been postponed, we are still focused on listening. We are listening to deepen our collective understanding of the impact of racism on breastfeeding. Please share your stories, experiences, thoughts, and insights about breastfeeding in Kansas here:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ThoughtsBreastfeeding . We are hopeful that our in-person listening tour will be able to happen in the fall (with additional precautions in place as needed), and we would love to see you at one of those events. Until then, we would encourage you to share with us through our online platform ( https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ThoughtsBreastfeeding ) and/or feel free to reach out to us directly at  info@ksbreastfeeding.org   Thank you!
GENERAL MEETING

Friday, June 12 | 12-1 p.m.

Please join from your computer, tablet or smartphone  https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/690080925
Or dial (872) 240-3212; Access Code: 690-080-925

12:00 Welcome & Introductions 
12:05 Approval of previous meeting notes (below) and current agenda 
12:10 COVID-19 
  • Resources & recommendations 
  • Hospital practices 
  • WIC 
  • Home Visitors 
  • KBC plans for in-person courses & conference 
  • What do you need? 
12:40 Section Updates – Section Chairs
12:50 New Workgroup - “Community Supporting Breastfeeding: The Next Steps” 
1:00 Adjourn 
2020 BREASTFEEDING CONFERENCE

Kansas has been one of the states leading the way in the response to this pandemic and we are fortunate to have public health officials who are providing detailed updates. Our top priority for the 2020 Breastfeeding Conference is the safety and health of our attendees. At this time the 2020 Breastfeeding Conference is still scheduled for October 29-30, 2020 in Wichita. We will continue to rely on expert guidance and directives from public health experts as we plan during this difficult time. We will update attendees directly and the KBC Community via email, Social Media and our website. We are already working on accommodations to ensure the protection of our speakers and attendees and to remain in compliance with governmental mandates and recommendations. We look forward to seeing you, from an appropriate physical distance, in October! Check here for details as we update them.
NEWS

STATE

Opportunity to Share Your Thoughts About Breastfeeding in Kansas : Help us learn about the landscape of breastfeeding in Kansas and the role the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition can play in creating a state where breastfeeding is normal and supported. Only 5 quick questions. Thank you in advance!  Click HERE

Congratulations to the Dodge City Public Library  for receiving the Bronze level  Breastfeeding Employee Support Award .  List of award-winning employers . Award  application here .

NATIONAL

NEW report  - “ The Role of Law and Policy in Assisting Families to Reach Healthy People’s Maternal, Infant, and Child Health Breastfeeding Goals in the United States . ” The report offers evidence-based solutions to promote and support breastfeeding across sectors.  Infographic  illustrating the report recommendations. 

Voices from the Field: COVID-19 and Infant Feeding  -  The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee collection of stories from families, clinicians, and allied health workers to create a public record of their lived experiences. 

Share your insights on how the pandemic is impacting infant feeding  –  The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee wants to hear from a broad representation of people from communities across the country, including pregnant and breastfeeding families, public health employees, health care facility  management/administration, health care providers and allied health workers, and beyond
NEW RESOURCES

From the KBC:


From the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine:

From Coalition of Oklahoma Breastfeeding Advocates:

Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition, Inc. | 785.477.4666 | ksbreastfeeding.org