Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Newsletter
October 2021
“To achieve equity we must begin with respect for the dignity of individuals, appreciate the protective nature of community and the power of collective action" - Jennie Joseph, NCLS2020
Incredible presentations on Birthing Justice by Village members Stephanie Crawford, Founder of Propa City Outreach, Nashira Basil, Founder of the Boston Neighborhood Birth Center, and Leseliey Welch, Co-Founder of Birth Detroit.
The Summit has many opportunities for networking.
A great Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Networking Session took place on Monday and don't miss the second opportunity this Friday, October 22nd at 4:30pm ET!

Join us to shape the conversation with fellow community leaders, practitioners, change agents, and advocates. Register today for the Vital Village Networks 2021 National Community Leadership Summit!
The Baby Cafe & Breastfeeding Support Group video many members created in 2018 with DommiesBlessed went viral last month and now has over 32,000 views. Great job!
Breastfeeding Leader Highlight

Read more on the role of Doulas and the advocacy work Doulas in Rhode Island are engaged in to support Black Maternal Health.
Learn more about She-Tara’s business, The Birth Co.
October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month occurs every October. Take time to honor and remember those who have lost a child during pregnancy or lost a child in infancy.

Reach out to a Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Advocate

Join the October Peer Scholar Support Night
Volunteer Opportunities
Boston Breastfeeding WARMLINE Lactation Counselor

Seeking virtual peer counseling opportunities? Our WARMLINE is seeking volunteers who have completed lactation counseling training and have experience as peer counselors.
Boston Breastfeeding Virtual Support Group Counselor

Our support groups are still meeting, just virtually! We are looking for more volunteers to help us support mothers. Any direct lactation mentoring done during virtual support groups can count towards IBCLC hours.
The BMC Codman Square Baby Café and the Vital Village Network Boston Breastfeeding Coalition is improving access to breastfeeding support for every parent in the Boston area by building connections between individuals and organizations that promote breastfeeding advocacy. We have partnered with the Mattapan Square Farmers Market to support families in their first food journey!  The market is located on the corner of Cummins Highway and Fairway.

The Mass. PPD Fund, a new nonprofit working on postpartum depression and other Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) in Massachusetts, is engaged in strategic planning to figure out the best ways we can help build communities’ and organizations’ capacity to address PMADs. Your partnership and input are essential to this process. Please take 5 minutes to fill out this survey.

DommiesBlessed interviewed and documented the breastfeeding journeys of five amazing mothers in honor of last year's Black Breastfeeding Week. We are continuing to collect stories and invite you to share yours here.
We love staying up-to-date with your news! If you want us to share out updates, events, flyers, webinars, or job opportunities, let us know. You can email us at bostonbreastfeeding@bmc.org or tag @bostonbreastfeeding on relevant Facebook posts and we can re-share on social media or add to our Coalition Newsletters.
Webinar and Training Opportunities
Are you an emerging leader who is committed to food justice and equity? If so you should consider the Community Food Systems Fellowship. 
Are you a healthcare provider that has worked with families who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss?
This virtual space of support has been designed just for you!

For more information email info@propacityco.org 
Resources
Breastfeeding and Mental Health Pocket Guide
Mental health providers should know the positive correlation between breastfeeding and mental health and the negative correlation between weaning and mental health and speak to patients about the importance of breastfeeding for positive mental health outcomes.Download the Breastfeeding and Mental Health Guidance Pocket Guide at mibreastfeeding.org/tools under the “Mental Health” tab.
This guide lists programs and organizations that provide free diapers to community members with updated contact information and eligibility requirements. The guide includes locations for Greater Boston, Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southeastern Massachusetts.
Regularly updated with descriptions, contact info, locations, hours, and website links for important basic family needs.
Free app available on Apple, Android, and desktop for families to locate and access free or low-cost, high-quality local food resources in their neighborhoods
Text KIDS to +1(844)-806-0616 to receive free text messages on nearby community resources, wellness tips, and family-fun activities.
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Are you a Breastfeeding Scholar who is looking to connect with other Scholars?
Join the private Facebook Group just for Breastfeeding Scholars - a centralized location to stay updated on CERP offerings, scholarship opportunities, network with peers, and share and find resources.
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.