February 2024

Dear KBC Members,

In last month’s letter, I alluded to Groundhog Day (movie) as I was back to serve as Chair of the Board of the KBC. Now, this month is the real Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, PA.  It was on Friday, February 2, 2024!  And because we, in the United States and therefore Kansas, are fun humans, we anticipated that when the groundhog emerged from its burrow on Friday and saw its shadow, winter would go on for six more weeks.  We anticipated that there was a possibility that the laws of nature and physics would change: the sun would not come out, and so the groundhog would not see a shadow, and that the Vernal Equinox would not occur on March 19th as it always does in the Northern Hemisphere! 

This made me think about other areas of our lives...  

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Don't miss the first emPOWER Talk!

Friday, February 9, 2024

12-1 p.m. CST

KBC is presenting quarterly discussions to inform and inspire. This Friday's topic is "Fatherhood." Todd Moore (Diversity & Health Equity Program and Project Strategist with the AAFP) is facilitating the conversation with panelists LeDarious Johnson (Dope Black Dads, KCK), Alex Tyson (Geared Up Dads), and Jose Miranda (Healthy Babies).

Click here to join or call (646) 876-9923, Zoom Meeting ID 899 1997 6995

• For the first time ever, breastfeeding initiation in Kansas is over 90%! According to the 2022 Annual Summary of Vital Statistics from KDHE, breastfeeding initiation in 2022 was 90.5%, up from 89.7% in 2021. This data is from Kansas birth certificates.

• NEW video highlighting the great work of Neosho County WIC’s breastfeeding program. We see you, Stephanie and Thressa!

• Updated data! The KBC has updated the "Breastfeeding Support by Kansas County” data. Data includes breastfeeding rates, peer and clinical lactation support, and systems’ level support. Check out your county! 

• New Research- Breastfeeding Initiation by WIC Receipt After Formula Shortages in 2022 

• Attention Hospitals!
• Regional Hospital Skills Fairs will be held April 2-11 across Kansas. These are FREE and open to Kansas hospital staff. Details & registration HERE.
• CDC’s 2024 National Survey of Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) survey has launched! Look for your hospital’s survey. Battelle, the contractor implementing the mPINC survey for CDC, will contact your hospital. It may take several weeks for some hospitals to be contacted. The CDC anticipates all hospitals will be contacted by mid-February. 



Looking for more breastfeeding news and resources from the national level? Sign up for U.S. Breastfeeding Committee's communication list and be the first to know.

• MotherToBaby launched a new bilingual website featuring evidence-based information on the benefits or risks of medications and other exposures during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. 

• A new statewide directory of doulas! Created by the Kansas Birth Justice Society. Doulas, sign up for your listing here and connect with families in your area!

• Breastfeeding Policy Map - New resource to help the lactation field monitor relevant legislative and regulatory proposals. This new interactive map is updated weekly to reflect federal and state legislation and regulations with the potential to impact infant feeding and/or the lactation field.

• Breastfeeding University was created with busy healthcare providers in mind. The interactive modules will help establish a working knowledge of how to support families in meeting their breastfeeding goals. Click here for details.

• Communication Skills for Lactation Support Providers - 5-hour trainings:
• Communication Skills for Lactation Professionals (La Leche League)
• 360 Degree Communications Bundle (Lactation Education Resources) 

Like what you read? Please consider making a donation to support the continued work of the KBC.

Suggestions for future publications are welcome at info@ksbreastfeeding.org.

Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition

ksbreastfeeding.org