The MSBC is a resource for parents, partners, providers, workplaces, and communities.

We support parents' human milk feeding goals through education, connection, and advocacy.

EXPLORE OUR RESOURCES ⟶

Free Resources for the Workplace

FOR EMPLOYEES

Returning to Work

Resources for the Pumping & Chestfeeding / Breastfeeding Parent

As a pumping or breastfeeding/chestfeeding parent, there's so much to plan for when you make your return to work. Our toolkit includes guidance and checklists to help you navigate this challenging time with more ease.

ACCESS TOOLKIT

FOR EMPLOYERS

Resources for Workplaces to Support Lactating Employees

Ensure your workplace is meeting the law and best practice recommendations to support lactating employees. Learn how to better support your lactating employees with our toolkit for employers.

ACCESS TOOLKIT

Maine-State-Breastfeeding-Coalition-Newborn-Hospital-1.png

Find Support

ZipMilk is an online directory of lactation support providers searchable by Zip Code.

Find a lactation consultant/counselor/educator, support group, medical provider, or WIC program near you.

PARENTS: FIND SUPPORT

Providers: add listing

Looking for a parent support group near you? Check out our directory, sorted by county.

Do you know of one that isn't on here? Let us know! The connections made and support and guidance received in Support Groups can be an essential tool to help you meet your feeding goals.

SUPPORT GROUPS

THE LATEST

FROM OUR BLOG

Blog

Be an Effective Advocate

“There are so many different ways to be involved and they’re all really important.”

Breastfeeding After Breast Cancer

This story and these resources will help you understand and plan for breastfeeding after breast cancer.

Recognition of WIC Support

Congratulations to this WIC office in Ellsworth, Maine!

Pumping & Storing Milk at Work

We recommend creating a scheduling and experimenting with your pumping routine, and be sure you have the right equipment to make it a bit easier.

Stocking Up On Milk

Start preparing to pump at work about 6 weeks before your return date by pumping and freezing milk. You really only need enough milk for the first day you and your baby are separated, plus some extra as a cushion!

Your Back to Work Plan After Having a Baby

Creating a back to work plan and discussing it with your supervisor before your return to work can greatly increase the likelihood of a positive return-to-work experience for both you and your employer.

Productive Advocacy

“ Fight for the things you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” - Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Making Milk, Providing Milk.

There are several ways for us to better provide more Human Milk to more babies. World Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7, focused on Closing the Gap.

Pride Celebration

I have seen changes happening in lactation spaces…more terms being used.. more research… more trainings being offered that focus on 2SLGBTQIA+ lactation.

Care for Caregivers

Each of the stories at our Patchwork of Parenting event will deepen your appreciation of caregiving and parenting.

Marketing Breast-Milk Substitutes

Manipulative marketing about feeding babies is targeted at vulnerable parents. Participate in a research study that will collect data on this negative practice.

A Milk Depot in Downeast Maine

Ellsworth Milk Depot Open Houses!
Wednesdays 1-3:30 February 28, March 6 March 13 Anchored Womens Health in Ellsworth. Learn more about the donating Human Milk and the network of Milk Banks.

Resources for Parents Who Pump At Work

Returning to work is like early postpartum, a time of adjustment for you and your family. Some planning ahead will smooth the transition.

Our Coalition is Growing

Look what we accomplished in 2023. We look forward to more good work in 2024.

Wonderful and Safe Sleep

Safe Sleep Practices are steps you can take to reduce risks. Then you and your family will rest easier.

Diversity and Inclusion

The lived experience and emotional labor of marginalized people have inherent value. Listen to and respect the knowledge they give.

Maulian Bryant’s Reflections on Breastfeeding

The Week and the Work

Thanking our Sponsors

Soft Corner midwives offer a safe space for all phases of reproductive care.

StoryTelling Event

Each story was an engrossing ten minutes, though each felt like a rich hour of storytelling.

Thanking our Sponsors

Dirigo Pediatric Dentistry is a sponsor of the Maine State Breastfeeding Coalition.

Learning from the pandemic

Paid Family Leave costs money, though not having Paid Family Leave costs money, too. We can learn from the pandemic.

Tell It Like It Is

How important, and what good fortune, to have support. We see how they can gradually learn new skills.

Good News for 2023

Here’s good news about the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) Act in 2023. But wait! There’s more….

Respectful Sleep Strategies

Parents can learn what is normal for a baby’s age and development. Parents need clear guidance and more time in the early months.

The Problem with Gift Bags

Banning formula gift bags is one policy that supports breastfeeding and promotes the health of families. Every family deserves accurate information.

The PUMP Act

The PUMP Act fixes the gaps in the FMLA law and the Break For Nursing Mothers law. Negotiations are ongoing, contact your senator.

Tongue Tie Discussion

Many muscles and nerves are involved in opening the jaw, moving the tongue and swallowing.

Sweet Sleep

Breastfeeding and Allergies

EXPLORE THE BLOG

EXPLORE OUR RESOURCES

For Parents

YOU'VE GOT THIS
For Providers

RESOURCES YOU NEED
For Employees

WORKPLACE SUPPORT
For Employers

SUPPORT LACTATING WORKERS

EXPLORE RESOURCE LIBRARY

LGBTQIA2S

Reference for Professionals

LGBTQIA2S+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and Two-Spirit (Indigenous specific term). The “+” stands for the multitude of identities within the community. This resource was developed to help guide professionals working with LGBTQIA2S+ families in their lactation journeys.

DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT

We work to enhance the culture of breastfeeding and chestfeeding through advocacy, education, and connection.

SUPPORT MSBC

Maine-State-Breastfeeding-Coalition-Breastfeeding-Mom-4.jpg

Maine-State-Breastfeeding-Coalition-Breastfeeding-Toddler-1.png

Connect

Deepen community engagement in the Maine State Breastfeeding Coalition by providing opportunities for connection, networking, and partnerships among a diverse range of stakeholders.
Support/Educate

Provide and promote breast/chestfeeding educational opportunities and resources. Optimize workplaces in Maine and empower employers to create supportive cultures for breast/chestfeeding employees.
Advocate

Promote legislation that will allow more families to achieve their breast milk feeding goals through access to paid family and medical leave, workplace support, lactation care, postpartum heal care, donor breast milk, and other systems and polices that facilitate breast/chestfeeding.
Sustain

Ensure the long-term sustainability and efficacy of the Maine State Breastfeeding Coalition.

Our Strategic Plan

The MSBC is a resource for parents, partners, providers, workplaces, and communities.

We support parents' human milk feeding goals through education, connection, and advocacy.

Free Resources for the Workplace

Returning to Work

Resources for the Pumping & Chestfeeding / Breastfeeding Parent

Resources for Workplaces to Support Lactating Employees

Find Support

FROM OUR BLOG

EXPLORE OUR RESOURCES

For Parents

For Providers

For Employees

For Employers

LGBTQIA2S

Reference for Professionals

We work to enhance the culture of breastfeeding and chestfeeding through advocacy, education, and connection.

Connect

Support/Educate

Advocate

Sustain