GENDER EQUALITY: In this website, the terms “she”, “mother”, “mom” or other forms of speech referring to the female gender also includes those individuals identifying as other genders and non-binary. The term “breastfeeding” also includes chestfeeding, bodyfeeding, the use of supplemental nursing devices, and any pumping of breastmilk for human consumption.
BCUSA Updates
Baby Café Breastfeeding Proclamation
BABY CAFÉ USA
August 2025 Proclamation & Call to Action
In Honor of World Breastfeeding Week & National Breastfeeding Month
Forward Together with Baby Café: Celebrating Community-Based Lactation Support
WHEREAS, breastfeeding is a powerful public health intervention that improves health outcomes for infants, parents, and communities; and
WHEREAS, many families face systemic and structural barriers that limit their ability to access skilled, culturally appropriate lactation care and ongoing support; and
WHEREAS, Baby Café USA supports a nationwide network of over 140 licensed Baby Cafés, offering free, drop-in, community-based breastfeeding and chestfeeding support led by International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and trained peer supporters; and
WHEREAS, Baby Cafés are inclusive, evidence-based spaces that remove barriers to care and strengthen local communities by providing free breastfeeding support, mentorship, and connection; and
WHEREAS, we recognize and celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (August 1–7), as declared by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), whose 2025 theme is “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems”; and
WHEREAS, we also support National Breastfeeding Month, led by the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC), whose 2025 theme is “Forward Together”; and
WHEREAS, Baby Café USA has built an inclusive and sustainable network of community based lactation support across the country; and
WHEREAS, Baby Café USA affirms that every person, regardless of race, ethnicity, income,
insurance status, gender identity, or ZIP code should have access to a Baby Café;
NOW, THEREFORE, Baby Café USA calls on individuals, communities, health professionals, policymakers, Baby Café licensees, and partner organizations across the United States to join us in:
Forward Together with Baby Café: Celebrating Community-Based Lactation Support
We invite every community to take action during the month of August by:
Issued on this 25th day of June, 2025 By:
Baby Café USA Board of Directors
www.babycafeusa.org
[email protected]
August 2025 Proclamation & Call to Action
In Honor of World Breastfeeding Week & National Breastfeeding Month
Forward Together with Baby Café: Celebrating Community-Based Lactation Support
WHEREAS, breastfeeding is a powerful public health intervention that improves health outcomes for infants, parents, and communities; and
WHEREAS, many families face systemic and structural barriers that limit their ability to access skilled, culturally appropriate lactation care and ongoing support; and
WHEREAS, Baby Café USA supports a nationwide network of over 140 licensed Baby Cafés, offering free, drop-in, community-based breastfeeding and chestfeeding support led by International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and trained peer supporters; and
WHEREAS, Baby Cafés are inclusive, evidence-based spaces that remove barriers to care and strengthen local communities by providing free breastfeeding support, mentorship, and connection; and
WHEREAS, we recognize and celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (August 1–7), as declared by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), whose 2025 theme is “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems”; and
WHEREAS, we also support National Breastfeeding Month, led by the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC), whose 2025 theme is “Forward Together”; and
WHEREAS, Baby Café USA has built an inclusive and sustainable network of community based lactation support across the country; and
WHEREAS, Baby Café USA affirms that every person, regardless of race, ethnicity, income,
insurance status, gender identity, or ZIP code should have access to a Baby Café;
NOW, THEREFORE, Baby Café USA calls on individuals, communities, health professionals, policymakers, Baby Café licensees, and partner organizations across the United States to join us in:
Forward Together with Baby Café: Celebrating Community-Based Lactation Support
We invite every community to take action during the month of August by:
- Proclaiming support for World Breastfeeding Week, National Breastfeeding Month, and the Baby Café model
- Promoting local Baby Cafés as inclusive, accessible sites for free lactation care and connection
- Visiting or encouraging someone to visit a local Baby Café to experience community-based lactation support firsthand
- Hosting or attending events during World Breastfeeding Week and throughout August
- Calling for the establishment of Baby Cafés in every community, especially those with documented disparities in breastfeeding access and outcomes
- Advocating for sustainable policies in healthcare, employment, and community settings that protect and promote breastfeeding
- Sharing personal stories, photos, and messages of impact using the hashtag #ForwardTogetherWithBabyCafe
Issued on this 25th day of June, 2025 By:
Baby Café USA Board of Directors
www.babycafeusa.org
[email protected]
| bcusa_proclamation_2025.pdf |
Baby Café Breastfeeding Counselor Graduates
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Farah Antoine-MayberryI'm Farah Antoine-Mayberry! I graduated from Howard University with a degree in occupational therapy. I have always loved children and any education related to birth. As an OT, I've had the pleasure of working with babies and families in the NICU among various settings.
My husband and I have 5 children and when our youngest was 9 months old, I was asked by a representative of the Coalition of Oklahoma Breastfeeding Advocates (COBA) to become a Baby Cafe Breastfeeding Counselor (BCBC) for a local Baby Cafe in Oklahoma City. I had the support of my colleague/co-facilitator who is now a dear friend as I continued to gain skills as a certified lactation counselor and eventually as a doula, midwife's assistant, and IBCLC. My favorite part of becoming a BCBC besides meeting new families was creating a safe space for parents to connect with each other while navigating postpartum in a country that doesn't normalize birth, breastfeeding, as well as proper financial, physical, and emotional postpartum support. Personally, I chose to breastfeed my children to take advantage of it being free! (We started off with twins so "free" was an excellent price). We were blessed to have fairly uneventful breastfeeding experiences, however as a BCBC, I realized that birthing families deserve and need so much more prenatal and postpartum lactation support than they currently get. I wanted to become an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Counselor (IBCLC) to expand my scope of practice and reach more of my birthing community. Becoming an IBCLC has been a welcomed achievement and I am excited to contribute to the continued development of more lactation professionals through future community endeavors. |
In the News
MelroseWakefield Healthcare Baby Café grand opening. Lisa tells her story of receiving milk at MelroseWakefield Hospital, then going on to donate milk twice, with the support of the Baby Café. READ MORE
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Accessible community lactation support impacts a woman's breastfeeding success by offering timely intervention and solutions, thereby allowing mothers to achieve breastfeeding goals and improve overall breastfeeding rates... READ MORE
5 Reasons to Give or Get Support at Baby Café USANot every breastfeeding mother wants or needs an in-person visit along with the pressure of showing up at the appointed time... READ MORE
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Baby Cafés are free, drop-in, informal breastfeeding support groups offering ongoing professional lactation care and intervention. Most are open for 2 hours at least once a week. Some communities have more than one Café, each holding meets on different days of the week.
Baby Café USA is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting the development of licensed U.S. Baby Cafés. Registered Non-profit No. 80-0787743 |
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