2024 August Breastfeeding Month
This year in honor of National Breastfeeding Month, we are celebrating with the theme, “Feeding the Future in Every Drop,” to highlight the importance of human milk for families both today and tomorrow as we nourish future generations and advocate for a more equitable, just, and breastfeeding-supportive culture!
All proceeds from this month’s efforts will go to support the Local Breastfeeding Supporter Meetings. Local breastfeeding supporters serve in communities throughout Michigan and are at the forefront of listening to and advocating for birth and breastfeeding families. Local breastfeeding supporters also help to inform statewide and local breastfeeding support strategies. Their work ensures that all breastfeeding spaces are safe for the families and breastfeeding supporters who are most marginalized by our current systems.
“Feeding the Future in Every Drop” speaks to the important work local breastfeeding supporters do everyday to help families reach their breastfeeding goals and feed their families with life-giving human milk! View a recap report of August 2024 Breastfeeding Month here.
Proclamations
In recent years, Governor Whitmer has proclaimed August as Breastfeeding Month in Michigan! Stay tuned for this year’s proclamation.
If you would like to do a proclamation in your community, there is a downloadable template for you to use. A donation of $10 provides you with the template that includes wording, instructions, and support from MIBFN. If you have questions please reach out to hello@mibreastfeeding.org.
Click here to donate and then a customizable template will be emailed to you.
Observances & Events
2024 August Breastfeeding Month:
- August 1-31 – National Breastfeeding Month: Theme: Nourish, Sustain, Thrive
- August 1-31 – WIC Michigan Breastfeeding Month: Theme: WIC Supports Superheroes
- August 1-7 – World Breastfeeding Week: Theme: Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All
- August 8-14 – Indigenous Milk Medicine Week: Theme: Mind, Body, Milk Medicine
- August 15-21 – Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week: Theme: TBA
- August 25-31 – Black Breastfeeding Week: Theme: Listen Up! Reclaiming Our Narrative & Centering Our Stories for Breastfeeding Justice
- September 5-11 – Latina/x Breastfeeding Week: Theme: Reclaiming Culture Through Lactation
Events in Michigan:
- August 1, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Barry County Breastfeeding Support Event
- August 2, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Breastfeed Macomb Fun Fair
- August 2, 11am – 1pm: Saginaw Breastfeeding Month Celebration featuring Workplace Awards
- August 3, 10:00-11:00 am: Marquette County Breastfeeding Event
- August 7, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Eaton County Breastfeeding Support Event
- August 1-28: Gratiot Count Breastfeeding Month Events, including a Lunch and Learn on infant massage, a Breastfeeding Awareness Walk, a Virtual Breastmilk Circle Support Group, and a Coalition Meeting.
- August 12, 10-11:30am: Bridging the Breastfeeding Gap event via Teams
- August 29, 11am – 1pm: Saginaw WIC Family Stroll for Breastfeeding
Please email hello@mibreastfeeding.org to have your community’s event added to the list.
2024 August T-Shirt
In honor of National Breastfeeding Month, MIBFN is celebrating with custom design apparel available for August 2024.
This year’s theme “Feeding the Future in Every Drop” speaks to the important work local breastfeeding supporters do everyday to help families reach their breastfeeding goals and feed their families with life-giving human milk!
All proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards supporting the Local Breastfeeding Supporter Meetings. Local breastfeeding supporters serve in communities throughout Michigan and are at the forefront of listening to and advocating for birth and breastfeeding families. Local breastfeeding supporters also help to inform statewide and local breastfeeding support strategies. Their work ensures that all breastfeeding spaces are safe for the families and breastfeeding supporters who are most marginalized by our current systems.
See the 2024 design and sizing options here.
Virtual 5K
Feeding the Future in Every Drop! In honor of August Breastfeeding Month, MIBFN is hosting a virtual 5K run/walk/move. You can participate at any point in August. Sign up as an individual or as a group! After signing up, you will get an exclusive design t-shirt and can participate in the 5K at any point in August!
Register for the Virtual 5K here.
Proceeds from this 5K will go toward supporting the Local Breastfeeding Supporter Meetings. “Feeding the Future in Every Drop” is what local breastfeeding supporters do every day with their community-rooted, equity-focused care for families. They are listening, supporting, and advocating for local families in order to build an equitable, just, and breastfeeding supportive culture!
Virtual 5K FAQs
- How do I sign-up for the race? Registration is open and you can register for the Virtual 5K here.
- What is a Virtual 5K? A Virtual 5K is an event you can complete anytime, anywhere, as an individual, or with others. Our hope is that breastfeeding supporters through Michigan will join us during the month of August.
- Where do I run/walk/move for this race? Anywhere that works for you. This Virtual 5K allows you to design your own course and move where it is comfortable for you to do so.
- When does the Virtual 5K take place? We are celebrating all month long, so you can complete the 5K at any point August 1-31, 2024.
- I’m not a runner! Can I still participate? Of course! You can walk, run, roll, dance, and/or move in anyway that feels good for you! If you prefer to break the 5K up into smaller distances that you complete over the duration of the month, that is fine, too!
- How much does it cost to participate? It only costs $65 to participate! Proceeds from this 5K will go towards supporting the Local Breastfeeding Supporter Meetings and the work they do everyday to help support families who are “Feeding the Future in Every Drop!”
- What do I get for participating? In addition to supporting local breastfeeding efforts, participants get an exclusive-design t-shirt. After completing the registration form, MIBFN will process your t-shirt order. Please allow 7-10 business days to receive your shirt.
- My entire office/clinic wants to participate in the 5K as an office team building activity. Is that okay? YES! You can register your entire team when you complete the registration form or can ask employees to register individually. If we can help support with any logistics, please reach out to hello@mibreastfeeding.org.
- I plan to take pictures of my family participating in the race. What can I do with the photos ? Thanks so much! We’d love to see your photos! Feel free to share your photos on social media with the hashtag #mibfn5k. If you are open to MIBFN posting photos with your permission, you can also email them to hello@mibreastfeeding.org for us to post on our social media.
I have additional questions. Who should I ask? Please email hello@mibreastfeeding.org. We are happy to answer any additional questions you have.
2024 Sponsorships
Big thanks to Priority Health for providing sponsorships to 31 local breastfeeding supporters to participate in the “Feeding the Future in Every Drop” virtual 5k!
If you are interested in sponsoring any of the August Breastfeeding Month events, please contact hello@mibreastfeeding.org or 734-365-6559.