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.