The Breastfeeding Virtual Learning Series
May 01, 2023
The Breastfeeding Virtual Learning series—updated annually—is comprised of 60-minute webinars highlighting emerging topics related to establishing breastfeeding equity.
Advancing Breastfeeding Equity Through Prevention
The prevention series will foster conversations between state and territorial agencies and community organizations to examine breastfeeding beyond the benefit of “baby’s first vaccine.” It will also highlight how breastfeeding supports the family unit and the community. Webinar topics will include how home visits improve breastfeeding for first time parents / caregivers, breastfeeding support/rights for incarcerated people, incorporating partners throughout the breastfeeding journey, and the relationship between mental health and breastfeeding.
The Home Visiting Impact
Oct. 11, 2022
This session explores the relation to breastfeeding initiation and duration with home visiting and preventative factors of breastfeeding.
Speakers
- Lisa Jim, Research Program Assistant II, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Sarah Vanegas, Faculty Research Associate, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Teneele Bruce MBS, CBS, Project Director, Baltimore Healthy Start
Breastfeeding & Incarceration
Jan. 19, 2023
This session addresses breastfeeding support/rights and lack thereof for lactating persons. While addressing the preventative factors of consuming breastmilk and the act of breastfeeding provides.
Speakers
- Elon Geffrard, BS, ICCE, CLC, CD (DONA), Co-Founder Birth Detroit and Birth Doula with Michigan Prision Doula Initiative
- Monica Esparza, Executive Director, New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force
- Maribel Lemus, Board Member New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force
Power in Partners
March 29, 2023
This session addresses the impact of Partner engagement and how to best incorporate partners throughout the breastfeeding journey. During this webinar we will explore how the inclusion of partners is important in the prevention of postpartum depression of partners.
Speakers
- Samuel Walker MA, LPC, Learn Lactate Grow: Java Jam
- Carl L. Route Jr., CLC, Reaching Our Brothers Everywhere (ROBE)
Shades of Lactation
Scheduled Date: May 1, 2023
To address the relationship between mental health and breastfeeding as it relates to COVID-19 and integrated maternal care.
Speakers
- Nakeisha Robinson, MA, LMFT, Maternal Mental Health NOW
- Ashley Lingerfelt, LPC, PMH-C, CLC, Playtime Therapy of Georgia, LLC
Fostering Breastfeeding Equity Through Community Engagement
The community engagement series highlights activities that foster breastfeeding equity between state agencies and community organizations. These webinars underline the importance of community engagement, pathways, or courses of action to engage communities. They challenge participants to understand and recognize their role in fostering breastfeeding equity. Topics include levels of community engagement, strategies, and systems to enhance community support, efforts to improve the lactation workforce, and sustainability of community breastfeeding centers.
Community Engagement and Advancing Community Breastfeeding Support
Dec. 6, 2021
During this session Alicia Justice, MPH, and Linda Kopecky MPH, IBCLC, provided participants with the opportunity to learn and engage in a conversation about the five parts of community engagement, which include:
- Engagement
- Consultation
- Involvement
- Partnership
- Seating Control (bi-directional relationship but prioritizing all decision-making to the community/shared leadership)
Speakers
- Alicia Justice, Senior Director, Programmatic Health Equity Initiatives & Strategy, Community Health and Prevention, ASTHO
- Linda Kopecky, Interim Executive Director, Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition
Strategies and Systems to Enhance Community Breastfeeding Support
Feb. 9, 2022
During this session William R. Rowe, MS, and Monica Esparza, CLC, discuss proven strategies that support chest/breastfeeding and how to maintain a thriving lactation ecosystem for one’s community.
Speakers
- William R. Rowe, Senior Program Analyst, Maternal, Child, & Adolescent Health, National Association of County and City Health Officials
- Monica Esparza, Executive Director, New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force
Enhancing and Diversifying the Lactation Workforce
April 7, 2022
Throughout this session, participants heard from TaNefer Camara, MS-HCA, IBCLC, and Hakima Payne, MSN, RN, about their respective programs dedicated to ensuring the lactation workforce remains culturally diverse and knowledgeable.
Speakers
- TaNefer Camara, Co-Founder, The B.L.A.C.K Course
- Hakima Payne, Founder and CEO, Uzazi Village
Sustainability of Community Breastfeeding Centers
June 22, 2022
Throughout this session participants learned about the unique challenges of securing and sustaining funding for community breastfeeding centers. Participants also engaged in conversation with Gina Caruso-Rissing from the Greater Washington Breastfeeding Center and Tanay Harris from the BLOOM Collective in Baltimore, MD.
Speakers
- Gina Caruso-Rissing, Executive Director, Breastfeeding Center of Greater Washington
- Tanay Harris, Director and Co-Founder, The Bloom Collective