Synopsis of “Breastfeeding in the Millennial Age,” the second in the 2018 Breastfeeding Educational Series, “Look Who’s Talking”

On June 22, 2018, seventy-seven registrants attended our second lecture, “Breastfeeding in the Millennial Age”. The speaker was Ms. Laurel Wilson, an internationally known lecturer with decades of experience in speaking, scores of publications and a speaking style that appeals to many different providers. Ms. Wilson, IBCLC, BS, CCCE, CLE, CLD is the co-author of two books, The Greatest Pregnancy Ever and The Attachment Pregnancy (both available on Amazon).

The June 22 special conference day featured two lectures, “Breastmilk: Epigenetics and the Microbiome,” and “Up in Smoke: The Impact of Marijuana on Babies During Breastfeeding.” These lectures offered 4 hours of continuing education credit for IBCLCs, RNs, Social Workers, and CHWs.

The day started with a light continental breakfast at the Sunland Park Casino conference room overlooking the Juárez Mountains in México. After everyone registered and enjoyed breakfast, the first lecture started. A fabulous lunch was offered to both meat eaters and vegetarians, then all enjoyed the afternoon lecture. An online evaluation was provided to all and after the results were analyzed, an astonishing unanimous positive review was enjoyed! Everyone agreed that lectures of this caliber are sorely needed in this region and all look forward to the next offering.

The day was the result of a collaboration between The Binational Breastfeeding Coalition and Amamantar Fronterizo / Breastfeeding on the Border. We are extremely grateful to Breastfeeding on the Border for providing funding for this watershed event for breastfeeding professionals here on the Texas-New Mexico-México border. 

Keep checking our website for further amazing offerings by the BBC/ Breastfeeding on the Border to come in early 2019.

Presentation at Healthy Texas Mothers & Babies Conference

Healthy Texas Mothers & Babies Conference: A Clinical and Community Life Course Perspective.

The Healthy Texas Babies initiative was developed to help Texas communities decrease infant mortality using evidence-based interventions. It involves community stakeholders, healthcare providers, and health care administrators. A reduction in infant mortality will improve the health of Texas babies and mothers and has the potential to save millions of dollars in healthcare costs. The conference, which was held on June 22-24, was centered on the Life Course Perspective and the information and practices health professionals need to improve birth outcomes and maternal health. There were two tracks, Clinical and Community/CHW, available to attendees to facilitate discussion and connection with their peers.

Adriana Corona Luevanos, Texas Department of State Health Services - Region 9/10, Office of Border Health and BBC member presented the "Binational Breastfeeding Coalition: The Border Experiences." Participants were able to identify potential organizations in order to work bi-nationally in the area of breastfeeding. They also learned about traditional and non-traditional partners working together to create a support network to empower women to breastfeed. The Binational Breastfeeding Coalition experience encouraged the audience to think outside the box in creating a culture of breastfeeding.

National Breastfeeding Coalition Conference presentation

The Binational Breastfeeding Coalition - “The Border Experience”

The 5th Annual National Breastfeeding Coalition Conference took place in Arlington Virginia on August 2- 4, 2004, this years conference theme was “Transforming Barriers into Bridges”. The Binational Breastfeeding Coalition (BBC) had the privilege of winning an abstract to present at this breastfeeding forum. 

The Binational Breastfeeding Coalition presented at the meeting as a breakout session in a panel titled Cultural Perspectives in Breastfeeding Support. The presentation center in providing the audience with an insight of what’s it like to work along the US- Mexico Border, what are the barriers, how to overcome them as well as the advantages of working between borders. 

The presentation included a summary of coalition activities to create support networks for breastfeeding mothers such as: Mother Friendly Establishments, Mother Friendly Worksites, Baby Cafes and Mother Friendly Hospitals (Hospital amigo del niño y de la madre and Milk Banks in our counterparts in Mexico); creating breastfeeding awareness with the Big Latch On, Stroller-thons and community outreach. The Coalition is also committed to increase breastfeeding research and policy changes.

Participation in this event broadens our opportunity to network with other coalitions. We would like to thank the Texas Breastfeeding Coalition for providing the funds and making it possible for the BBC to be part of this conference and continue to collectively work in changing the Breastfeeding Culture in this country and beyond.