Posts by monica@breastfeedingnm.org

According to the CDC, New Mexico is among the top states with a higher percentage of live births at Baby Friendly facilities as named by the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in 2020.   HUGE shout out to all of the advocates who have worked hard to improve outcomes for New Mexico families!   Check…

Abstract Background: Maternity care practices such as skin-to-skin care, rooming-in, and direct breastfeeding are recommended, but it is unclear if these practices increase the risk of clinically significant COVID-19 in newborns, and if disruption of these practices adversely affects breastfeeding. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 357 mothers and their infants <12 months who had…

Next week is the National Day of Racial Healing. The National Day of Racial Healing is a time for contemplation and collective action on #HowWeHeal from the effects of racism. Launched on Jan. 17, 2017, it is an opportunity to bring ALL people together in their common humanity and inspire collective action to create a…

  This fall, NMBTF was proud to be part of a group of Indigenous, Black, and people of color perinatal healthcare providers and advocates that serve communities across New Mexico. Together we  crafted a set of recommendations that name considerations for upholding access to perinatal and reproductive healthcare through the COVID-19 pandemic.   “Historically and…

  Scholarship opportunity!   Pacify, Advantia Health’s leading lactation and pediatric telehealth app for moms, is awarding $14,000 to aspiring International Board Certified Lactation Consultants from racial and ethnic groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the professional lactation field! 14 winners will be selected, and applicants must be residents of either the City of Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Tennessee, Arizona, New Mexico, Mississippi, Maryland, Missouri, West Virginia, Texas, Ohio, Kentucky,…

A huge congratulations to Amanda Singer for receiving the Buffy Saint-Marie Advocacy Award and for all of the amazing work she does with the Navajo Nation Breastfeeding Coalition! We are so lucky to have incredible NMBTF staff who are leaders in our communities.  Congratulations, Amanda! You can learn more about the Navajo National Breastfeeding Coalition here, and…

Join Mama’s Leche on August 22nd at 12:00 PM MST for a Virtual Breastfeeding Sit-In Protest in the name of love and in solidarity against systemic racism! Register here   During this protest, Mama’s Leche will offer a read-aloud of Mama’s Leche, their bilingual children’s book, and will hear wisdom from a sister circle of panelists that include: – Vanessa…

Huge congratulations to our Deputy Director, Monica Esparza, for receiving the HealthConnect One 2020 Community Health Worker of the Year award!   From HealthConnect One’s website: HealthConnect One launched the Birth Equity Leadership Academy, BELA, in 2017.  Our goal was to develop authentic leadership in underserved and underrepresented communities of color typically marginalized when it comes…

August is National Breastfeeding Month—a time when breastfeeding coalitions, Departments of Health, advocates, and communities promote the important role all community members can play in supporting lactating parents. Employers play a critical role in the success of their lactating employees by providing accommodations. Their support of a healthy workforce begins by understanding the many health…