Registration is now open for the California Breastfeeding Coalition Summit, our annual gathering of breastfeeding advocates from throughout the state. The goal of the summit each year is to provide an opportunity for those of you working to protect, promote and support breastfeeding the ability to learn about policies, trends and practices around the state, nation and world that are of mutual importance.

Celebrating its 10th year, the summit theme is:

20/20 Vision: Creating a Clear Focus for Equitable Breastfeeding Care.

Coalition Executive Director Robbie Gonzalez-Dow says the summit is carefully crafted by the volunteer Summit Planning Committee each year to meet the needs of attendees.

“We spend a lot of time reviewing attendee surveys each year and talking with local coalitions to find out what we can offer at the summit to make it valuable and fun,” she said.

This year’s keynote speaker, Dr. Alison Stuebe of The 4th Trimester Project, has been highly requested. The 4th Trimester Project brings together new moms, birth workers, health care providers, researchers, public health professionals, community leaders, and other stakeholders from across the U.S. to identify unmet postpartum health needs, build knowledge, and create solutions. 

The fire-fueled devastation in the state has made the topic of breastfeeding in emergencies one of evolving importance. Dr. Aunchalee Palmquist, lead for the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute’s Lactation and Infant Feeding in Emergencies (LIFE) Initiative, will share her experience and observations on the subject with attendees. Dr. Palmquist’s interdisciplinary work bridges critical bio-cultural anthropology and global public health. 

The WHO Code, its legalities and ethics, are of high interest right now and the CBC is pleased to have Elizabeth Brooks close out the Summit on the topic under the lens of equity.

Other dynamic speakers will address important topics, such as human milk banking, birth workers, mortality and mental health, and much more. More information on the annual gala awards dinner and dance, poster session, silent auction and exhibitors is located on our event page. Keep an eye out for updates in the coalition’s weekly newsletter.