2023 August Breastfeeding Month
This year in honor of August Breastfeeding Month we are moving together for systems change! 85.9 percent of Michigan families initiate breastfeeding. Unfortunately, by three and six months of age many families face insurmountable barriers in their breastfeeding journey.
What prevents our families from reaching their breastfeeding goals? Systems prevent breastfeeding success – lack of childcare, family leave, access to healthcare, and inequitable policies in our hospital and public health systems. Human milk is beneficial for everyone AND we need our systems to support breastfeeding families. This August, we shine a light on these systems as we work toward equity and justice so families can achieve their breastfeeding goals!
Proclamations
Governor Whitmer has proclaimed August 2023 as Breastfeeding Month in Michigan!
Here is a proclamation template available for use in local communities.
If you would like to do a proclamation in your community or would like support in sharing about your local organization’s work in the community with policymakers, reach out to hello@mibreastfeeding.org.
Observances & Events
2023 August Breastfeeding Month:
- August 1-31 – National Breastfeeding Month: This is Our Why
- August 1-31 – WIC Michigan Breastfeeding Month: Into Every Drop
- August 1-7 – World Breastfeeding Week: Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a difference for working parents
- August 8-14 – Indigenous Milk Medicine Week: From the Stars to a Sustainable Future
- August 15-21 – Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week: Telling Our Stories, Elevating Our Voices!
- August 25-31 – Black Breastfeeding Week: We Outside! Celebrating Connection & Our Communities
- September 5-11 – Latina/x Breastfeeding Week
Events in Michigan:
- August 2, 10:00-11:00 am: Gratiot, Midland, Saginaw, and Bay County Breastfeeding Coalitions’ MI Virtual Breastmilk Circle Support Group
- August 3, 11:00 am-1:00 pm: Saginaw Community Breastfeeding Coalition Walk
- August 3, 11:30 am-1:00 pm: Gratiot County Breastfeeding Coalition’s Child Advocacy Lunch and Learn
- August 5, 9:00 am-12:00 pm: Gratiot County Breastfeeding Coalition’s Breastfeeding Awareness Walk
- August 5, 10:00 am: Midland County Breastfeeding Coalition’s Breastfeeding Awareness Walk
- August 5, 10:00 am-11:00 am: Dickinson Iron District Health Department 9th Annual Breastfeeding Walk
- August 5, 10:00 am-12:00 pm: Marquette County Breastfeeding Event
- August 9, 5:00-7:00 pm: Bay Area Breastfeeding Coalition’s Breastfeeding Walk
- August 9th at 5:00 pm: Bay Mills Health Center Breastfeeding Walk to celebrate Indigenous Milk Medicine Week
- August 14, 1:00 pm: Gratiot County Substance Abuse Coalition Monthly Meeting
- August 16, 10:00-11:00 am: Gratiot, Midland, Saginaw, and Bay County Breastfeeding Coalitions’ MI Virtual Breastmilk Circle Support Group
- August 23, 12:00 pm: Corewell Health Enterprises’ Virtual Fireside Chat with Kenn Harris (register here)
- August 23, 4:30 pm: Gratiot County Breastfeeding Coalition Monthly Meeting
- August 24, 2:00 pm: Corewell Health Enterprises’ Community Grand Rounds: Black Maternal Health Summit (register here)
- August 25, 11:00 am: Corewell Health Enterprises’ Virtual Art, Birth & Breastfeeding Interview with Birth Artist Lauren J. Turner (register here)
- August 25, 5:00 pm: Corewell Health Enterprises’ Capturing Liquid Gold (register here)
- August 28, 12:00pm: Corewell Health Enterprises’ Cross-Community Panel Discussion (register here)
- August 31, 2:00-4:00 pm: Gratiot County Breastfeeding Coalition’s Infant Massage Workshop
2023 August T-Shirt
In honor of National Breastfeeding Month, MIBFN is celebrating with a custom design t-shirt available for August 2023.
Proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards our efforts to advance breastfeeding equity and justice through systemic changes in Michigan. Thank you for supporting breastfeeding families and advancing the breastfeeding justice movement!
Adult shirts are $34, sweatshirts are $45, and youth shirts are $30. Purchase them here.
Virtual 5K
MOVE together for breastfeeding systems change! 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 get a group of folx who are passionate about breastfeeding justice to join you! 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.
Human-milk feeding is central to reclaiming traditional birth practices from the detrimental and ongoing impacts of colonialism and chattel slavery on Indigenous and Black communities. We know that human milk makes a difference in the lives of families and benefits parents, children, communities, and society as a whole. 85 percent of Michigan families initiate breastfeeding. Unfortunately, our current systems, policies, and norms make it extremely difficult for families to achieve their breastfeeding goals. Supporting and promoting breast/chestfeeding is equity in action. MIBFN is committed to ensuring that justice and equity are at the center of everything we do: we are committed to centering the people who are marginalized by dominant culture. To that end, we are working to dismantle systems of oppression where they exist and replacing these systems with ones that result in equity in outcomes. We need YOU to join the MOVEment. Proceeds from this 5K will go towards MIBFN’s efforts for systemic breastfeeding change in Michigan. Please join together in moving for an equitable, just, and breastfeeding supportive culture!
Register for the Virtual 5K here.
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 folx across Michigan (and beyond) will Move for the Breastfeeding Justice Movement 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, 2023. However, this year, we are doing something special and encouraging folks to convene with others in their local communities on 8/8, MIBFN’s Day of Movement. Gather with folks from your coalition, organization, clinic, and/or other local breastfeeding supporters to move together for systems change!
- 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 $55 to participate! Proceeds from this 5K will go towards MIBFN’s efforts for systemic breastfeeding change in Michigan.
- What do I get for participating? In addition to moving together for systems change, 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.
2022 August Breastfeeding Month
We hear you, we see you. We recognize that the work is heavy – and it’s life-affirming. Your work is pushing the movement forward and changing lives in your communities. Together, we are advancing the breastfeeding equity and justice movement. Especially this August, we take the time to recognize your efforts and amplify your voices. Let’s use this month to re-energize ourselves for the heavy work ahead. We are in this together and the work continues together.
We Rise. We Resist. We Represent. This is our rallying cry. We are looking forward to celebrating YOU this August.
Proclamations
Governor Whitmer has proclaimed August 2022 as Breastfeeding Month in Michigan!
Governor Whitmer has proclaimed August 8-14, 2022 as Indigenous Milk Medicine Week in Michigan!
If you would like to do a proclamation in your community, reach out to hello@mibreastfeeding.org.
Observances & Events
2022 August Breastfeeding Month:
- August 1-31 – National Breastfeeding Month: Together We Do Great Things
- August 1-31 – WIC Michigan Breastfeeding Month: Into Every Drop
- August 1-7 – World Breastfeeding Week: Step up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support
- August 8-14 – Indigenous Milk Medicine Week: Strengthening Our Traditions From Birth and Beyond
- August 15-21 – Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week: Telling Our Own Stories. Elevating Our Voices.
- August 25-31 – Black Breastfeeding Week: 10 Years, A New Foundation
Events in Michigan:
- August 6th from 10am-12pm: Breastfeeding in the Park presented by Milk Like Mine and Calhoun County Public Health Department WIC
- August 6th: Dickinson-Iron District Health Department’s 8th Annual Breastfeeding Awareness Walk
- August 29th at 2pm: 2022 WIC Black Breastfeeding Week Celebration: Let’s Talk about Black Breastfeeding in Michigan webcast featuring Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom – register here
2022 August T-Shirt
In honor of National Breastfeeding Month, MIBFN is celebrating with a custom design t-shirt available for August 2022.
Proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards our efforts to advance breastfeeding equity and justice through systemic changes in Michigan. Thank you for supporting breastfeeding families and advancing the breastfeeding justice movement!
Adult shirts are $28 and youth shirts are $23. Purchase them here.
Virtual 5K
MOVE for the Breastfeeding Justice Movement! 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 get a group of folx who are passionate about breastfeeding justice to join you! 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.
Breastfeeding benefits everyone. Beyond the well-known benefits of human milk for both parents and children, breastfeeding is nourishment, medicine, and comfort. 85 percent of Michigan families initiate breastfeeding. Unfortunately, our current systems, policies, and norms make it extremely difficult for families to achieve their breastfeeding goals. Breastfeeding benefits everyone, so we need everyone, from every walk of life and every community, to invest in this work of building breastfeeding-supportive systems throughout Michigan. We are part of a movement toward a breastfeeding-supportive culture, and we are stronger together. MIBFN collaborates with organizations and individuals to bring about actionable, system-level changes that are centered on the diverse experiences of Michigan families with young children. We advocate, educate, and community-build alongside families and organizations for the advancement of an equitable, just, and breastfeeding-supportive culture. We need YOU to join the MOVEment. Proceeds from this 5K will go towards MIBFN’s efforts for systemic breastfeeding change in Michigan.
Register for the Virtual 5K here.
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 folx across Michigan (and beyond) will Move for the Breastfeeding Justice Movement 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, 2022.
- 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 $45 to participate! Proceeds from this 5K will go towards MIBFN’s efforts for systemic breastfeeding change in Michigan.
- What do I get for participating? In addition to Moving for the Breastfeeding Justice Movement, participants get an exclusive-design tri-blend t-shirt. After completing the registration form, the MIBFN will process your t-shirt order. Please allow 7-10 business days to receive your shirt.
- My entire office 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.
2021 August Breastfeeding Awareness Month
August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month! This is such an important time for breastfeeding supporters to highlight their successes throughout the year, and continue to advocate for necessary systemic changes to make breastfeeding possible and supported for Michigan families. Throughout August, MIBFN’s goal is to amplify local efforts around the state and continue to advocate for systemic support for breastfeeding. Please see below for breastfeeding awareness events throughout the month, and email hello@mibreastfeeding.org to share your local efforts.
Proclamations
Observances & Events
2021 August Breastfeeding Month:
- National Breastfeeding Month (August 1-31): Every Step of the Way
- World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7): Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility
- Native Breastfeeding Week (August 8-14): Nourishing Our Futures. For details on Indigenous Milk Medicine Week, click here
- AANHPI Breastfeeding Week (August 15-21): Reclaiming our Tradition
- Black Breastfeeding Week (August 25-31): The Big Pause: Collective Rest for Collective Power
Events in Michigan:
- August 2nd (10am – 12pm), August 9th (11am – 1pm), August 20th (1-3 pm), and August 25th (3-5 pm): Washtenaw County WIC Events (click for details)
- August 7th at 10am EST (registration opens at 9:30 am): Midland County Breastfeeding Coalition Walk for Breastfeeding Awareness
- August 7th from 10-11am CST: Dickinson-Iron District Health Department’s 7th Annual Breastfeeding Awareness Walk
- August 7th from 10am-12pm: Berrien County Breastfeeding Coalition’s “Breastfeeding on the Bluff” Celebration
- August 23rd from 8am – 12pm: Oakland County event “Bridging the Breastfeeding Gap”
- August 25 from 11:30 am-1pm: Milk Magic BIPOC Breastfeeding Panel (more details here). Register here.
- August 27 at 7pm : YOLO Breastfeeding Awareness Watch Party
- August 30 at 7pm: Milk Like Mine “Spilled Milk Episode 4: The 6th Trimester”
- August 29 from 3-6 pm: SHINE Breastfeeding Picnic
- August 31 from 2-4pm: Black Breastfeeding Week Celebration in Detroit
