About HEAL - Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere

Health Equity Action for Lactation (HEAL)

Breastfeeding Program for African American Mothers and Their Families

Project Overview

HEAL Strategy

Strategy 1: Develop and facilitate a national community of practice to use and disseminate ION materials, support evidence-based breastfeeding practices in maternity care, and enhance training for medical and lay support of African American mothers and infants.
Strategy 2: Expand the Perinatal Community Health Worker Collaborative that incorporates ION material into direct service support to pregnant and parenting women and their families.
Strategy 3: Develop and execute a national digital media campaign to promote ION and other breastfeeding support materials.

Attend the Next Stakeholders Meeting

Stakeholders Meetings

March 29, 2022

It's Only Natural Campaign

Every woman's journey to motherhood is different. But usually, the first decision you'll make as a mom is how to feed your child. It's Only Natural has information for African-American women and their families about the health benefits of breastfeeding — not just for babies, but for moms too. Here, you'll find facts about breastfeeding and get practical tips on how to make breastfeeding work for you while getting the support you need.

Featured Videos

Full "It's Only Natural" Playlist

Featured Resources

This complete guide from the Office on Women's Health features important guidance on breastfeeding-related topics, including:

Why breastfeeding is important
How to find support and information
Breastfeeding myths
How breastmilk is made
Learn to breastfeed
Breastfeeding in special situations
How to handle stress
Weaning your baby from the breast

Download the Guide

This publication is downloadable or the printed version can be ordered by health professionals and lactation consultants in bulk (25 – 200 copies) by calling 1-800-994-9662.

Nursing Mothers at Work Campaign

Women with children are the fastest-growing segment of the workforce.

Balancing work and family is an important priority for all employees. Today, more than 80% of new mothers in the United States begin breastfeeding,¹ and 6 in every 10 new mothers are in the workforce.² Learn federal rules and requirements for employers about breastfeeding and lactation at work. See success stories from all types of industries, including restaurants, retail, manufacturing, and more.

What breastfeeding employees need to know

Nursing moms often have many questions about how to continue breastfeeding when they return to work. Read frequently asked questions about breastfeeding at work, including how to talk to your supervisor about your needs and where to find resources and support.

What the law says about breastfeeding and work

The federal Break Time for Nursing Mothers law requires employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to provide basic accommodations for breastfeeding mothers at work. These accommodations include time for women to express milk and a private space that is not a bathroom each time they need to pump. Learn more about what is required of employers and what employees need to know.

This project is supported Office on Women's Health of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Sources:
Office on Women's Health, https://www.womenshealth.gov/its-only-natural, 08/2018
Office on Women's Health, https://www.womenshealth.gov/supporting-nursing-moms-work, 02/2019
Your Guide to Breastfeeding, https://www.womenshealth.gov/your-guide-to-breastfeeding, 02/2022