Editor’s Note: Post has been updated with links and themes and to celebrate that National Breastfeeding Month (NBM) is here!! Follow the links to learn more about the many events!
August was National Breastfeeding Month (NBM)! However, this year, we are delighted to report that NBM has grown from four weeks to six weeks, August 1-September 11! It’s an exciting time to celebrate and re-commit to protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk feeding for the optimal development of children and their families. Learn more about the 2023 theme, This is Our Why, on the US Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) website. In its 13th year, we are delighted to report that USBC has added an important week to the celebration, Semana de la Lactancia Latina/x! Check out the NBM celebration week-by-week starting with World Breastfeeding Week!
- Week 1 (August 1-7): World Breastfeeding Week
- Theme: Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a difference for working parents
- #WBW2023 #worldbreastfeedingweek2023 #EmpoweringParentsCampaign #EnablingBreastfeeding #MakingADifference
- Week 2 (August 8-14): Indigenous Milk Medicine Week
- Theme: From the Stars to a Sustainable Future
- #fromthestars #immw2023 #indigenousmilkmedicineweek2023
- Week 3 (August 15-21): Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week
- Theme: Telling Our Own Stories. Elevating Our Voices!
- Week 4 (August 25-31): Black Breastfeeding Week
- Theme: We Outside! Celebrating Connection and Our Communities!
- #BBW23 #WeOutside #blackbreastfeedingweek
- Week 5 (September 1-4): Workplace Lactation Week
- Theme: Preparing for the PUMP Act
- Week 6 (September 5-11): Semana de la Lactancia Latina/x
- Introduction: Nos unimos para celebrar y generar conciencia sobre las barreras de nuestras comunidades.
The 2023 NBM theme, This is Our Why, will help shine a light on why this work is so important and center the conversation on the babies and families who need our support.
US Breastfeeding Committee
It’s hard to believe that August 2023 will be the 13th National Breastfeeding Month (NBM)! The month and the weekly observances have provided important awareness of the challenges and barriers that lactating families encounter! NBM also has been a time of celebration, community, and connection, and we can think about successes. We may focus on the national events, such as the recent #PumpAct or the legislation that protects breastfeeding families in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands or the advocacy work of USBC.
Success also can be seen closer to home, such as in the Towns in Orange County that have stepped up to proclaim their support for lactating families. Success can be seen in the ever-increasing number of businesses and organizations in our community that have affirmed their welcome and support for lactating families. Success can be seen in the baby-friendly and family-friendly healthcare in our county.
The work is not done. Too many barriers to equitable support continue to exist for families to meet their infant feeding goals, and Breastfeed Orange NC continues to work to remove those barriers. Still, each August, we embrace the vision of a society that protects, promotes, and supports breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk feeding families through equitable and knowledgeable lactation support for our youngest community members and their families.
Happy National Breastfeeding Month!