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Help us change the way Appalachia views breastfeeding!
Donate
By investing charitable money, we’re able to make bigger strides to support innovation in Appalachia's lactation world.
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Volunteer
We are seeking state representatives to host meetings in their state and make their area closer to change.
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Learn
Appalachian Breastfeeding Network is dedicated to education. Stay tuned for our announcement of our 2023 Annual Conference!
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Our Mission
ABN's mission is to work towards transformation of breastfeeding culture in Appalachia by providing empowerment and education to increase access to care.
Our Vision
In the Appalachian region, we see staggering breastfeeding rates that are much lower than the rest of the nation. Our network is dedicated to work towards changing these dismal statistics and helping every parent and baby have the access to care that they deserve and education to make their own informed decisions.
ABN Initiatives in Progress:
24-Hour Breastfeeding Hotline (available to anyone) - a parent or interested person may call the line during operating hours to speak with a live breastfeeding specialist (CLC, CLS, or IBCLC required). All hotline staff is trained on providing telephone support and is a line for supporting and referring, therefore able to provide lactation support to all of Appalachia through telephone when otherwise may be unavailable - closing the gap in health inequity for breastfeeding support.
Hospital Education Initiative - Our membership is working on an education program to be available to hospital nurses and providers on Appalachian specific topics including - NAS, Tongue Tie, Supplementation, Family Dynamics, Breastfeeding Myths and Appalachian Culture. We have recently added educational brochure/pamphlet development into our initiative.
Empowering Parents Project - This is our social media campaign to empower parents to take hold of their own health care, including lactation support. We are present on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as "Empowering Parents Project"
Appalachian Breastfeeding Conference - Looking forward to our next Appalachian conference October 21-22, 2022 at Rocky Gap Casino and Resort in Flintstone, MD. We'd love to see you in person, but understand if it may not be possible. Virtual options are now available!
Speaking Engagements - In an effort to educate on Appalachian breastfeeding barriers to the rest of the nation, our board members are active in conference attendance outside of our own conference. In addition, we have started to become involved in submitting abstracts at national and international conferences.
Hospital Education Initiative - Our membership is working on an education program to be available to hospital nurses and providers on Appalachian specific topics including - NAS, Tongue Tie, Supplementation, Family Dynamics, Breastfeeding Myths and Appalachian Culture. We have recently added educational brochure/pamphlet development into our initiative.
Empowering Parents Project - This is our social media campaign to empower parents to take hold of their own health care, including lactation support. We are present on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as "Empowering Parents Project"
Appalachian Breastfeeding Conference - Looking forward to our next Appalachian conference October 21-22, 2022 at Rocky Gap Casino and Resort in Flintstone, MD. We'd love to see you in person, but understand if it may not be possible. Virtual options are now available!
Speaking Engagements - In an effort to educate on Appalachian breastfeeding barriers to the rest of the nation, our board members are active in conference attendance outside of our own conference. In addition, we have started to become involved in submitting abstracts at national and international conferences.
If interested in hosting any of our board members in a conference setting e-mail us at appalachianbfnetwork@gmail.com
Appalachian Breastfeeding Network is a registered 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization with the Internal Revenue Service. © 2022