NEWS

• Look what's new in formula marketing tactics!
  NABA has been receiving reports of new formula marketing tactics and has created a double-sided page to inform breastfeeding advocates of these new strategies. We may wish to urge hospitals and health providers to avoid, abandon, or discourage the use of these formula company marketing materials and services. The page can be downloaded and given to colleagues and administrators.
• Department of Labor releases first set of guidelines for new law on worksite protection of breastfeeding
  U.S. Department of Labor released a Fact Sheet explaining the March, 2010 amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act contained in the healthcare reform law that requires employers to provide breaks for nursing mothers. read more
• First Lady supports breastfeeding at NAACP conference
  First Lady Michelle Obama promotes breastfeeding in her keynote address to the recent 101st NAACP conference. read more
• US Lactation Consultant Association issues hospital IBCLC lactation consultant staffing recommendations
  The US Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA) has issued hospital lactation consultant staffing guidelines to help hospitals provide adequate, evidence-based lactation care and services.
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• Domperidone study needs mothers to complete side effect survey
  Researchers at Texas Tech University are conducting an online survey to study the drug safety profile and side effects of the use of domperidone for increasing milk production. read more
  
• Paper questions efficacy of infant formula additives
  On June 4, 2010 an important paper regarding federal policy on infant formula additives was released by The Center on Budget & Policy Priorities in Washington DC. read more
• New report examines breastfeeding messaging
  Media experts examine breastfeeding messaging and how to make it more effective. read more
• Nestle's new marketing machination
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• The Whitehouse Taskforce on Childhood Obesity releases its report, "Solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation." read more
• Support for Employed Breastfeeding Mothers Included in Healthcare Reform
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• New study shows low breastfeeding rates cost the US $13 billion/year
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• Soy infant formula associated with high risk of fibroids in women Mread more

ACTIONS & ALERTS

• Breastfeeding Promotion Act
  On June 11, 2009, Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (NY) and Senator Jeff Merkley (OR) introduced the Breastfeeding Promotion Act in both the House (H.R. 2819) and the Senate (S. 1244). This is the first time the bill has been introduced in the Senate. Both bills are in great need of more sponsors and more visible support within the various committees to which they have been referred.
  read more on how you can help

ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES

• An alert from Moms Rising presents an opportunity to contact Federal legislators regarding an important infant feeding issue. Breastfeeding suffers from a number of barriers, including the often unsubstantiated claims that formula manufacturers engage in to persuade vulnerable mothers to use their products.
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• The CDC needs health provider input on the importance of administering the mPINC survey in 2011. This survey has been an important catalyst for hospital improvement of lactation care and services. read more
• Breastfeeding testimony at House Committee on Education and Labor hearing
  The House Committee on Education and Labor heard testimony on breastfeeding relative to reauthorization for child nutrition programs. Take this opportunity to follow up with a letter supporting recommended changes.
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• Poor Medicaid coverage for lactation care and services
  Poor Medicaid coverage for lactation care and services was revealed in a survey of state Medicaid agencies conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and George Washington University. read more
• Be a Code monitor
  As the IBFAN organization responsible for monitoring the Code in the US, NABA is always on the lookout for Code violations. We need your eyes and ears throughout the country to recognize and report incidences of Code violations. These are used in the US country report on Code progress (or lack thereof) and to help reduce commercial pressures on breastfeeding mothers that encourage them to avoid or abandon breastfeeding. Code monitoring is easy and takes little time. read more