Cincinnati Children’s Center for Breastfeeding Medicine: August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month

Cincinnati Children’s Center for Breastfeeding Medicine is excited to share resources and upcoming events in support of National Breastfeeding Month. This year’s theme is Forward Together.

August 1–7 kicks off the month with World Breastfeeding Week, themed Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.

Why It Matters

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, with continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods for at least 2 years—or as long as mutually desired. While 84% of U.S. mothers initiate breastfeeding, nearly 60% don’t reach their personal goals. Common reasons include:

  • Concerns about milk supply

  • Latch difficulties

  • Nipple pain

  • Medication safety

  • Infant weight gain

These are issues providers are uniquely equipped to assess—especially during the newborn visit at 3–5 days and subsequent Health Supervision Visits.

How You Can Help

To support breastfeeding families:

  • If supplementation is medically necessary, encourage pumping as frequently as the baby feeds to maintain milk supply.

  • Refer families to trusted community lactation resources for additional support.

Local Breastfeeding Support Resources

In-Person Assistance:

  • Cincinnati Children’s Center for Breastfeeding Medicine Appointments available Monday–Friday at four (soon five) locations. Call 513-636-2326.

  • WIC Lactation Center Drop-in support Monday–Friday for Cincinnati/Hamilton County participants. Call 513-821-6813.

  • Area Birth Hospitals All offer outpatient lactation support. Visit www.swohio-bc.org for a full list of hospital, WIC, and community resources.

  • Baby Cafés Informal, in-person support groups offering lactation help and peer camaraderie. Details available at SWOBC.

Virtual Support Options

  • AMEN (All Moms Empowered to Nurse) Peer-led support every Friday, 3–5 p.m., focused on communities with lower breastfeeding rates. Visit www.amencincy.org. To request AMEN Hot Cards for your practice, email julie.ware@cchmc.org.

  • L.E.C.H.E. (Latinas Empowered to Choose Health Excellence) Monthly virtual meetings with Spanish-language resources. Visit www.grupoleche.org.

  • Ohio Breastfeeding Hotline 24/7 live support via call or text, facilitated by the Appalachian Breastfeeding Network. Visit www.appalachianbreastfeedingnetwork.org to request free promotional cards.

Physician Education Opportunities

  • AAP Breastfeeding Curriculum Updated with adult learning strategies and available to all provider levels. Check it out here.

  • ABM Microlearning Series “What Every Physician Needs to Know About Breastfeeding” Visit ABM Videos.

  • ABM Protocols & Webinars Clinical guidance and CME opportunities. Visit www.bfmed.org.

  • AAP NCE Sessions Attend the Breastfeeding Section in Denver or the Breastfeeding Essentials session (September 26–30). Visit AAP Experience.

  • CCHMC Lactation Seminar Series Four to five webinars per year with CME. Contact laura.ward@cchmc.org to join the mailing list.

Aug & Sept: Celebrating Diverse Breastfeeding Communities

August 1–7: World Breastfeeding Week & WIC Breastfeeding Week

August 8–14: Indigenous Milk Medicine Week

August 15–21: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Week

August 22–24: Military Lactation Celebration

August 25–31: Black Breastfeeding Week

September 1–7: Workplace Lactation Week

September 2–8: Semana de la Lactancia Latina

Special Event: Black Breastfeeding Week

Theme: “Boots on the Ground” Featuring Dr. Kimarie Bugg of ROSE (Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere)

  • August 28, 3–4:30 p.m. “Human Milk Matters in the Village: Co-Designing Patient-Centered Research on Breastfeeding and Early Nutrition” Register

  • August 28, 6–8 p.m. “Feeding Justice: The Pediatrician’s Role in Bridging the Breastfeeding Gap” Hosted by Cincinnati Pediatric Society (location TBA)

  • August 29, 1:15–2:15 p.m. Neonatology Grand Rounds: “Care for NICU Families: A Community-Anchored Approach to Postpartum NICU Care”

Stay Connected

Visit the Center for Breastfeeding Medicine for provider and patient resources, educational videos, and more. You can contact the center at 513-636-2326.  We are here to support you to help your breastfeeding families reach their breastfeeding goals and thrive.