Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Newsletter
April 2021
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Get to Know the 2021 Breastfeeding Scholar Cohort
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Please join us in welcoming the 2021 CLC Breastfeeding Scholars! These scholars applied and were selected by a community led committee to join this year’s scholar cohort. |
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Bio: I am a mother to an amazing little boy. I have a background in Social Work with an interest in Health Equity. My focus is on bringing awareness to families on natural ways to improve the health of their families to build strong family units. As a peer counselor, I want to encourage and motivate families to be informed about the breastfeeding journey.
Fun Fact: I like to make natural soaps and hair products!
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Bio: I am founder and CEO of Queen and Baby, a community that offers Black mothers a space to set and reach their breastfeeding goals. I am a mom of 2 breasted babies and an passionate advocate for breastfeeding moms in the workplace. A multi-passionate activist and artist, Shannan has devoted her time to numerous national and international non-profit organizations spanning the arts, international affairs, social enterprise and higher education. I am a member of the Boston Association for Childbirth Education & Nursing/Nursing Mothers’ Council. And as a Certified Lactation Specialist, Shannan is actively pursuing her International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
Fun Fact: I worked on Norwegian Cruise Lines as a dancer.
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Bio: I am a Program Coordinator for Stronger Generations at Brigham and Women's Hospital, where I manage community health programs for young parents in the Boston area. Prior to BWH, I earned my MPH from Boston University where I got to explore my passion for maternal and child health. I am passionate about health equity and social justice, and looks forward to supporting and empowering parents and families in their breastfeeding journeys.
Fun Fact: I have an interest in global health and the culture of breastfeeding outside of the US. I also have a 4 year old beagle from Guatemala!
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Bio: Hello, my name is Danielle Champagnie. I’m a mother of four children and a grandmother of one. Three out of four of my children were premature babies and spent time in the NICU. I breastfeed all of my children, and saw first hand the benefits of breastfeeding premature infants as well as the challenges that can arise. My goal is to provide physical & emotional support, be a resource to families by providing education & helping them to understand the importance of breastfeeding & it’s natural nutritional values. In the future, I hope to work with Premature/NICU infants and families.
Fun Fact: I'm an LPN & I Love making custom cakes.
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Bio: Edwige M. Jean, Breastfeeding Counselor Hello, I am Edwige, born and raised in Dorchester, MA. I have a wonderful son whom I adore. I’ve worked in OB/GYN for 15yrs both Clinical and Administrative. For the past 6yrs, I’ve been working as a Prenatal Intake Coordinator. I am an aspiring IBCLC working with Vital Village, in 2019 I graduated with a BS degree in Maternal Child Health with Human Lactation. Because of my passion for Maternal Child Health, I recently started my own business Baby Luv LLC to provide Maternal Care Services for Mothers and Babies.
Fun Fact: I love to Travel.
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Bio: Currently, I am a Registered Dietitian working with the pediatric and adult population at Boston Medical Center. I am interested in promoting breastfeeding because I feel the benefit of breastfeeding with my children. I also observed the benefits of breast milk when I worked in NICU as a Human Milk specialist.
Fun Fact: I am a mother of three children and returned to school for nutrition and dietetic degree when my little one started kindergarten.
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Bio: I am an early childhood education teacher and the founder of Propa City Community outreach, a non profit that promotes positive mental and emotional healing in the community and works closely with women who have been affected by pregnancy and infant loss. I am also a full spectrum and bereavement doula that works with women in all stages of motherhood on finding peace, balance and educating themselves as a way to build trust in their own voice.
Fun Fact: I am a mother to 2; one angel and one rainbow baby and the godmother to 18.
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Bio: Nneka Hall is the Mother of 4. She is a Commissioner on the Ellen Story Postpartum Depression Commission and the Racial Inequities in Maternal Health Commission. She is a full spectrum Doula / Maternal Fetal Health advocate who specializes in black infant and black maternal mortality. Nneka is the Founder of Quietly United in Loss Together, Mama’s Kitchen and Mother IS Supreme Postpartum Care.
Fun Fact: I love to travel with my children.
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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.
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Join us Tuesday, April 27th at 6pm. |
As we official welcome the 2021 Breastfeeding Scholar Cohort. Come and share words of wisdom and advice for our new Cohort. |
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Join us Thursday, April 15th at 12 pm.
As we celebrate Black Maternal Health Advocates and their role in advocating for change. Nashira Baril from Neighborhood Birth Center will join to share more about their role in expanding pregnancy care and birth options in the Boston area.
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The registered nurse adheres to the rules and regulations of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. is primarily responsible for professional performance and direct patient care. The role encompasses nursing assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, evaluation, and coordination of care for patients and their families across the healthcare continuum. The registered nurse is accountable for clinical, educational, quality, and fiscal patient care outcomes using the model of care designed by the nursing department and in accordance with established agency policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines, and standards of practice
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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.
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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.
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Breastfeeding Counselors are available every day to help. Call today for support from our trained & experienced peers.
CALL: 857-301-8259
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Stay connected, informed, and supported by your community. Virtual breastfeeding support groups and Baby Cafes are held throughout the week.
Check out our website to register and join!
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Webinar and Training Opportunities |
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IBCLC Requirements and Pathways Explained In Detail FREE Webinar
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Always wanted to become an international board certified lactation consultant? Having trouble finding your way? Join us on April 19th from 7pm-8:30pm PST for "IBCLC Requirements and Pathways Explained In Detail" featuring BreastfeedLA's Clinical Director Hannah Halliwell, IBCLC, ICCE. This webinar is a deep dive into the requirements and pathways to becoming an IBCLC.
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Courageous Conversations: "First Foods" and Race, Past, Present and Future |
Join us for a panel conversation with Andrea Freeman, author of "Skimmed: Breastfeeding, Race and Injustice" along with Adjoa Jones, Shamiesha Johnson and facilitated by Jadah Parks Chatterjee. Discuss the lasting legacy of racism and injustice on breastfeeding and public health as it applies to Black mothers, birthing people and families today. We will also explore advocacy and systemic changes needed to address inequity today and in the future. April 20th at 6:00-7:30PM
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“Dismantling Racism and Implicit Bias in Breastfeeding and Human Lactation” – registration opens April 20th |
Despite rising trends in initiation of breastfeeding rates, disparities persist in initiation and duration for certain racial and ethnic groups, particularly among African Americans. While breastfeeding is often painted as a personal choice there are many factors that influence one’s decision, plan, and initiation and duration. This webinar will address how racism, specifically anti-Black racism is the root cause of disparities in breastfeeding and lactation. I will debunk the theory of implicit bias and expose how racism in its many forms shows up in lactation practice.
Approved for 1 L-CERP, 1 nurse’s contact hour, 1 social work CE hour, 1 dietitian CPEU, 1 community health worker CEU, 1 certified health education specialist CECH, and one CME until April 20, 2022.
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"Flourishing THROUGH '21
An afternoon to benefit the Mass PPD Fund."
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We can't wait to see YOU at the Mass. PPD Fund's third annual Flourishing! Saturday, May 8th @ 2:00-3:30pm EDT
This year's theme is Flourishing THROUGH, in recognition of the many challenges our communities have faced this year - as well as the resiliency, joy, and strength that have helped us get through it, together. We are excited to welcome you to what we know will be another wonderful afternoon in support of the Mass. PPD Fund.
We are pleased to share that Flourishing's ticket price remains an optional donation (choose "General Admission on us!" or "Donation" on the next screen). Anything you can give to support our mission is, of course, deeply appreciated, and will help us continue to raise awareness and increase communities' capacity to address postpartum depression and other Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) through online support, training diverse professionals, and so much more.
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Professional Opportunities |
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D.R.I.V.E Scholarship Application
Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition
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MBC’s DRIVE Committee is pleased to announce the opening of our first scholarship application. This scholarship is open to all Massachusetts residents and is specifically for the sitting fee for the Fall 2021 IBLCE Exam (09/15-09/24). Applicants who have already paid for the exam are welcome to apply as well. Complimentary attendance to the MBC 2021 Breastfeeding in the Bay State Annual Conference (10/4) is also included in this scholarship. |
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On April 15th the CAN will reconnect (virtually) and celebrate coming together as a full CAN. The CAN will share CAN updates including CAN prioritized maternal health legislation in addition to sharing Preconception Health (PCH) Workgroup next steps. |
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Vital Village Networks and our partners--Countdown to Kindergarten, MSPCC/MassAIMH, and United Way--invite families of children 0-8 in Boston to join us for an evening focused on learning about, voicing needs, and collectively brainstorming solutions around supporting children’s social, emotional, and mental health when returning to in-person childcare and school. The solutions we voice will be summarized as recommendations and shared out.
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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.
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Regularly updated with descriptions, contact info, locations, hours, and website links for important basic family needs.
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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
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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.
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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. |
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