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 breastfeeding 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. Join us at our 4th Annual Conference in October 2021!
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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 mom 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 Helpline (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. Through the last grant, we were also able to pay 100% for 20 CLS attendees, with an emphasis on finding a diverse group of breastfeeding advocates to attend the training. All 20 attendees passed, giving Appalachian Ohio 20 new certified lactation specialists, again increasing access to care.
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.
Empower Mom Movement - This is our social media campaign to empower moms to take hold of their own health care, including breastfeeding support. We are present on Facebook and working on Instagram and Twitter as "Empower Mom Movement"
Appalachian Breastfeeding Conference - Our 3rd Annual Appalachian Breastfeeding Conference will be held in Flintstone, MD October 18-9, 2021! With significant growth the past couple years, we have opened the conference up to a two day event.
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.
Empower Mom Movement - This is our social media campaign to empower moms to take hold of their own health care, including breastfeeding support. We are present on Facebook and working on Instagram and Twitter as "Empower Mom Movement"
Appalachian Breastfeeding Conference - Our 3rd Annual Appalachian Breastfeeding Conference will be held in Flintstone, MD October 18-9, 2021! With significant growth the past couple years, we have opened the conference up to a two day event.
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. © 2020