Celebrating Semana De La Lactancia Latina
Once again, the time has come to celebrate Latina/x Breastfeeding Week, but this year it will be from the 3rd to the 9th of September, after Black Breastfeeding Week. Latina/x Breastfeeding Week is also known as Semana De La Lactancia Latina and it was created by the Union de Lideres de Lactancia Latino in 2023 to be acknowledged on the first Tuesday following Labor Day. The goal is to celebrate the rich cultural traditions and voices of our Latina/x families while addressing the challenges that they face in their communities across the country.
Reclaiming Culture Through Lactation
The theme for this year is Reclamando Nuestra Cultura Por Medio de la Lactancia (Reclaiming Culture Through Lactation). With this theme, we aim to shed light on the resilience of our Latino communities, share their stories, and advocate for language justice. In order to promote infant health, maternal well-being, and optimal breastfeeding, we must understand and tackle the cultural norms and socioeconomic factors that impact the health and well-being of both mothers and infants in our Latino communities.
How Can You Support Latina/x Breastfeeding Week?
- Feel free to follow, share, and engage with their Facebook page @Latinxbreastfeedingweek where they have a variety of content, programs, and events that are designed to uplift the diverse voices of Latino people.
- Share information about Latina/x breastfeeding week on social media, highlighting the challenges that Latina/x families may face.
- Advocate for more inclusive breastfeeding support programs that cater to diverse cultural needs with language-specific resources and culturally relevant breastfeeding education.
- Advocate for workplace and public policies that support breastfeeding, such as lactation rooms and flexible work schedules.
Final Thoughts…
In conclusion, Semana de la Lactancia Latina is a time to celebrate and support healthy breastfeeding in Latino communities. It raises awareness to the unique challenges and barriers to breastfeeding that Latina/x mothers face. This year, our focus is on Reclaiming Culture Through Lactation and it is about uplifting the voices of Latino/x people and celebrating their cultural heritage.
By promoting culture and advocating for culturally sensitive healthcare resources and workplace policies, we can empower Latina mothers and families to provide the best possible start for their infants’ health. We hope you found this article on Latina/x Breastfeeding Week informative. Please don’t forget to share.
Kathy
Sources
www.usbreastfeeding.org/national-breastfeeding-month.html
www.bfcfnhv.org/semana-de-la-lactancia-latina
