August is National Breastfeeding Month! A time to celebrate the power of breastfeeding and the people who make it possible. For 40 years, the National WIC Association (NWA) has advocated for policies that strengthened breastfeeding services and support, developed educational tools and campaigns for WIC staff and families, and supported Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) staff through scholarships to become International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs).
This year’s theme for World Breastfeeding Week along with National WIC Breastfeeding Week, is Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems, which underscores the importance of long-term, community-driven solutions. As we celebrate NWA’s 40th anniversary, we reflect on this progress and recommit to building a stronger future together.
National Breastfeeding Month (August 1–31)
In honor of National Breastfeeding Month, WIC joins the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) in celebrating National Breastfeeding Month with weekly themes that honor the diversity of families and the vital role of breastfeeding in community health. These weekly themes are designed to uplift underrepresented voices, share culturally responsive resources, and advocate for sustainable breastfeeding support. WIC agencies and staff can explore USBC’s National Breastfeeding Month Guide for updated themes, social media content, and ideas for engagement.
World Breastfeeding Week (August 1–7)
World Breastfeeding Week, recognized globally by USDA as National WIC Breastfeeding Week, runs from August 1-7. This year’s theme is “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” created by World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) and and emphasizes long-term, community-driven support and the connection between breastfeeding and environmental sustainability.You can support and promote World Breastfeeding Week through the WABA toolkit. Here you can find campaign hashtags, logos, social media posts, and more about the campaign.
Indigenous Milk Medicine Week (August 8–14)
From August 8–14, WIC celebrates Indigenous Milk Medicine Week (IMMW), which honors breastfeeding as a sacred cultural and biological practice passed down through generations. This week’s theme “Unapologetically Indigenous: Love, Landback, and Liberation” focuses on celebrating the strength, connection, and healing that Milk Medicine brings through community care. IMMW invites individuals to return to their roots, speak their truths, and uplift lactation as a practice that protects, connects, and strengthens communities across generations.
IMMW is hosting a free virtual conference uplifting lactation as a cultural and biological practice through:
Daily Sunrise Ceremonies
Virtual 5K
Indigenous Lactation Awards
Movement and Wellness sessions
Community engagement across social platforms
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Breastfeeding Week (August 15–21)
August 15–21 is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Breastfeeding Week with his year’s theme “Diverse Voices, One Vision,” honoring the richness and diversity of AANHPI communities while recognizing a shared commitment to safe pregnancies, healthy babies, and thriving families.There are many resources covering topics across the AANHPI Diaspora related to breastfeeding:
Some 2024 resources:
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Lactation Collaborative of California
Breastfeeding Practices among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
For additional tools and resources for 2025, please visit the AANHPI Breastfeeding Week Facebook.
Black Breastfeeding Week (August 25–31)
Black Breastfeeding Week is observed from August 25–31. This year’s theme is “BOOTS On The Ground: Rooted in Breastfeeding Success, Grounded in Community Support.” This theme highlights the importance of being hands-on in supporting Black mothers, right in their own neighborhoods, building strong community foundations, and celebrating grounded, collective breastfeeding success.
Check out the Black Breastfeeding Week Instagram for updates on this year’s resources and tools.
Workplace Lactation Week (September 1–7)
Workplace Lactation Week takes place from September 1–7 and highlights the importance of creating breastfeeding-friendly environments for working parents. This year’s theme is “A World of Support: Creating Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplaces Everywhere,”calling attention to policies like the federal PUMP (Providing Urgent Maternal Protections) Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), all aimed at enhancing support and ensuring that working and pumping parents have the necessary protections and accommodations to thrive. WIC recognizes breastfeeding in the workplace as an unnegotiable right for all parents.
USDA has resources on workplace breastfeeding, including talking to employers, your legal rights to pump at work, and using premade bottles to feed your baby.
Workplace Lactation Week includes a series of events related to global breastfeeding:
Creative Solutions for Lactation Accommodation in the Modern Workplace (U.S. Focus)
A Talk With The Only IBCLC within 5 Central African Countries and How She Supports Workplace Lactation (Global Focus)
IBCLC Info Session for aspiring lactation consultants located in Central Africa (African focus, pending timing)
Social Media Campaign: Show Us Your Lactation Room
Tag @WorkplaceLactationWeek on Facebook and Instagram to highlight how you support workplace lactation!
Semana de La Lactancia Latina (September 8–15)
Semana de La Lactancia Latina takes place from September 8–15, celebrating breastfeeding in Latinx communities while shedding light on the challenges and strengths that exist in the community. This week’s theme is “Territory of the Heart/Breastfeeding Without Borders,” uplifting the voices, traditions, and strengths of the Latin community.
2025 Resources:
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Breastfeeding Week (September 16–22)
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Breastfeeding Week is observed for the first time from September 16–22, with the theme “Close the Gap, Bridge the Divide: Establish Breastfeeding Support Access,” hoping to provide the underrepresented community with education, access, and resources through virtual events all week long.
For more information and resources, check out the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Breastfeeding Week Facebook.
Since 1983, NWA has championed peer-led, culturally responsive care by equipping WIC staff with the tools, training, and confidence to guide families through their breastfeeding journeys. This National Breastfeeding Month, we reflect on how WIC clinics as a support network for mothers and children.
Throughout National Breastfeeding Month, WIC staff and advocates can turn to NWA’s tools and resources to educate, engage, and celebrate. This month, NWA’s Recruitment & Retention (R&R) Campaign focused on celebrating and elevating National Breastfeeding Month!
Join NWA for a special Instagram Live event on Wednesday, August 6, at 8 pm ET as we celebrate National Breastfeeding Month and how WIC makes the journey easier. Bring your questions, get comfy, and chat with us live on @WICYouGotThis.
The August Recruitment and Retention campaign toolkits, focused on celebrating and elevating National Breastfeeding Month, are now live on the WIC Share Portal. This year's #NBM2025 toolkits are available to download in English, Spanish, Arabic, Haitian Creole, and Chinese.
Looking ahead, don’t forget to SAVE THE DATE and SUBMIT Abstracts for NWA’s 2025 Virtual Nutrition Education and Breastfeeding Promotion Conference from November 5-6, 2025! This is a key opportunity to connect with peers, explore best practices, and advance the future of breastfeeding support in WIC. Registration opens this month!