Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Newsletter
December 2020
Important Updates
Breastfeeding and COVID-19
COVID-19 Vaccine Considerations For Pregnant and Breastfeeding Mothers
Upcoming Events
Celebrating Our Partners
The Boston Breastfeeding Coalition was formed under the umbrella of Boston Medical Center's Vital Village Network in January 2016. Since then, the coalition has convened meetings every six weeks and has grown to more than 200 members from 50 organizations. Let us celebrate our partners and the impact they continue to make in the communities they serve.
The Daily Milk Blog Post
Reflecting on Black Breastfeeding Week 2020
This blog features the goals and reflections of our Black Breastfeeding Week (BBW) 2020 Committee and shares the significance that BBW holds for them and early plans for an epic 2021 celebration. Interested in joining these breastfeeding advocates and community champions as they plan for next year? Let us know!
Virtual Support Groups
Breastfeeding Counselors are available every day to help. Call today for support from our trained & experienced peers.

CALL: 857-301-8259
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!

Opportunities
Part-time WIC Peer Counselor Opening at Harbor Health Services

The WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional support person who provides basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
Employee Family Support Manager 

BPHC is recruiting for a brand new position supporting employee families. This is an exciting addition to their Human Resources team created in response to staff struggling to work and parent/caregiver during COVID times.

Seeking virtual peer counseling opportunities? Our WARMLINE is seeking volunteers who have completed a 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.
Training Webinars
Introduction to Childbirth Education
for Perinatal Health Workers
Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, • 9 AM-6 PM
If you are a CHW working with childbearing families and would like to learn more about the labor and birth process, or more about medical interventions and complications in the labor process, this workshop is for you!
This workshop has been approved by DONA International to meet one of the requirements for certification as a birth doula. (Other requirements to be met for DONA certification).

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS: BACE-NMC: 7.5 contact hours. Approved by DONA International to meet one of the requirements for certification as a birth doula. Meets criteria of the Comm. of MA Board of Nursing regulations: (244 CMR, section 5:00) for continuing education for nursing re-licensure for 7.5 contact hours
Equitable Milk Sharing: The Risks and Burdens of Food Insecurity
Inspired by lessons gathered from community work done during the COVID-19 pandemic, this presentation critically examines the history of milk sharing and its modern implications for Black women and babies.

Approved for 1 E-CERP, 1 nurse’s contact hour, 1 social work CE hour, and 1 dietitian CPEU.
Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinar Tentative Schedule
Michigan Breastfeeding Network presents FREE Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinars. In the planning and implementation of these webinars, they are grounded in their efforts in the working definition of racial equity.
Village Happenings
2020 Vital Village Unsung Hero Award

We are assembling a committee to review each nomination and celebrate the chosen recipient with the network.
From your computer or smartphone!


Families with young children are invited to Children’s Mental Health Virtual Storytimes co-hosted by the Vital Village Network Mental Health Committee and Boston Public Library. We will bring families together for book readings, activities, and resources focused on Social-Emotional Learning. 

Other Training Opportunities
National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening
L-CERP Credits Available
With the cancellation of this year's NBCC, the team re-imagined the event as a robust series of webcast sessions. These sessions were released throughout the month of August and are now available on-demand and free of charge. L-Cerp credits can be obtained for each webcast session.
Resources
Regularly updated with descriptions, contact info, locations, hours, and website links for important basic family needs.
Text KIDS to 8-8-5-8-8 to receive free text messages on nearby community resources, wellness tips, and family-fun activities.
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
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.