A Look Back at Breastfeeding Activism in 2019
This has been a tremendous year of support, dedication, and growth for the San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition. My heart, for one, is filled with love and gratitude for my colleagues at the Coalition and everyone in the breastfeeding community. As we continue to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding through education, outreach and advocacy, here are several things we’ve done this year.
Mini-seminars
As a way to promote and support breastfeeding in our community, the Coalition offers mini-seminars for healthcare professionals. The topic in 2019 was “Breastfeeding and the Law,” “The Tongue and Beyond,” and “The Return of Breastsleeping.”
Education videos
Last year, members of the Coalition joined our partners at UC San Diego in producing a series of breastfeeding-friendly childcare training videos. This year, the videos are finally up on the UCSD’s website as a training tool for childcare providers!
https://ucsdcommunityhealth. org/work/breastfeeding/child- care/training/
Advocacy works
This year, the Coalition has supported Governor Newsom’s proposal of giving parents six months paid leave and House Resolution 545 which recognizes the importance of breastfeeding and urges the President to promote the health and welfare of children and their parents by supporting international efforts to improve breastfeeding practice globally.
Lactation scholarship
The Coalition offers three scholarships through the year: Lactation Consultant Pathway 1 Education Only, Lactation Consultant Pathway 2 Hybrid, and Certified Lactation Educator Counselor.
Breastfeeding champions recognition
This year, the Coalition has recognized Qualcomm as a breastfeeding-friendly workplace and presented Father Joe’s Villages with the mother-baby friendly award.
Please stay tuned for more great ideas the Coalition has to implement to help our breastfeeding community in 2020! Before that, on behalf of San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition, much peace, and love for the new year to you and yours!