Boston Breastfeeding Coalition
Greetings!

The Boston Breastfeeding Coalition is finishing off the year strong, with exciting opportunities ahead! Read on for updates & invitations.
Increasing Breastfeeding Support across Boston
2019 Highlights
  • Celebrated our 100th scholarship provided for lactation education training to community leader

  • Expanded breastfeeding support with a new group at The Guild in Dorchester and an additional Mattapan Hugs and Play group on Fridays. Check out the updated calendar! If you have any changes to the calendar, please email us.

  • Over 650 caregivers and 900 children attended our support groups and our groups reached over 70 new caregiver-child dyads.

  • Over 1000 hours of lactation support provided by our volunteers to families across Boston.

  • Vital Village received IBCLE Pathway 1 recognition, allowing scholars to count support group hours towards their IBCLC.
Do you provide or are you seeking lactation counseling? Visit Zipmilk , DoulaMatch , ALPP , and Medela to be listed as a provider or find one near you!
Supporting Pathways for Breastfeeding Scholars

  • A new progress tracking tool is in development to support our scholars in tracking the hours committed to providing breastfeeding support and pursuing lactation education! Share your input on what information you would like to see.

  • During our Sisters to Emerging Leaders meeting on November 15, Coalition Members Melody Cunningham, Waetie Sanaa Cooper Burnette, and Jenny Weaver shared their work with Boston's families. Their stories helped establish relationships that will expand opportunities for scholars across Boston.

Are you a Breastfeeding Scholar who is looking to connect with other Scholars? Join the private Facebook Group just for Breastfeeding Scholars.
Promoting Connections in Maternal-Child Health
Brigham & Women's Hospital (BWH) Stronger Generations Initiative has launched a new comprehensive program to support mothers of children from prenatal to age 2.

Stronger Generations Family Partnership Program

To learn more, contact the Program Director of the Stronger Generations Initiative, Ariel Childs, at BWHStrongerGenerations@partners.org.
Interested in impacting policies and practices to support early childhood health? The Boston Healthy Child Care Initiative Learning Collaborative is open for registration!

Check out the event page to learn more and register.
Save the date for the 2020 Nursing Mother's Council Conference!

March 9, 2020
Boxboro Regency Hotel
242 Adams Pl, Boxborough MA

Visit bace-nmc.org for details and registration!
The  Abundance App   is available on iOS and Android devices, as well as on desktops. Abundance empowers Boston residents to easily access affordable, high-quality food resources. Download the FREE app today! 
CONtexts aims to promote positive outcomes between caregivers and children by sharing weekly resources through a FREE text service and interactive resource sharing map. These resources are ideal for anyone working with or caregivers of children ages 0-5.

To subscribe, text KIDS to 8-8-5-8-8.
Once you're subscribed you will receive 3 weekly FREE text messages:
  • Monday: Nearby community resources
  • Wednesday: Wellness tips
  • Friday: Family-fun events
Other News & Happenings
Join Vital Village Network on January 13, 2020 for Part 2 of the Securing Equity in Massachusetts' Education series, where Senator Chang-Diaz will discuss The Student Opportunity Act , a historic state education funding reform bill .
Unsung Heroes
Do you know a community member involved with the Vital Village Network's Boston Breastfeeding Coalition who has shown exceptional commitment to service and leadership to maximize child well-being?

Nominate an Unsung Hero to be recognized at the next Vital Village Network event!
Vital Village Network's Boston Breastfeeding Coalition is committed to improving access to breastfeeding support for every parent in Boston, promoting connections between individuals and organizations that engage in breastfeeding advocacy, and supporting pathways for professional lactation counselors.