Celebrating National Breastfeeding Month: Supporting New Moms Beyond the Hospital Doors
Every August, organizations roll out campaigns, public health posts fill our feeds, and there’s a renewed focus on National Breastfeeding Month, its importance, its challenges, and its role in supporting breastfeeding mothers. And while I deeply respect the movement and everything it stands for, I can’t help but think about the parts that don’t always make it into the spotlight.
Like the mom who’s sitting in a Zoom meeting with her camera off because she’s pumping under a hoodie. The one crying in the bathroom because her milk hasn’t come in, and she feels like she’s already failed. The one spending her entire “leave” trying to piece together disability, PTO, and job protection just to get a few more paid weeks with her baby.
August is National Breastfeeding Month, and for me, it’s about all of that. It’s about celebrating breastfeeding and chestfeeding as beautiful, empowering, and life-giving, and also acknowledging the gaps. The stress. The reality that it’s not just about milk. It’s about time for a system that supports parents when they need it most, rather than failing them when they need help the most.
What Is National Breastfeeding Month?
National Breastfeeding Month is observed every August to celebrate, support, and advocate for breast/chestfeeding families across the country. It’s not just a public health campaign, it’s a rallying cry for better systems, stronger communities, and more equitable access to human milk for every baby, regardless of background or income level.
Led by the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC), this month highlights the critical role that education and support, public policy, and community resources play in shaping infant health outcomes. It includes several themed weeks, like:
World Breastfeeding Week (August 1–7), coordinated globally by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA)
Indigenous Milk Medicine Week, which centers Native breastfeeding practices and stories
And The Black Breastfeeding Week, closing out the month with a focus on racial health equity
The 2025 theme, “Forward Together”, centers unity, solidarity, and hope, honoring the advocates and organizations working to close the gap in access to lactation support, certified care, and policy protections. It’s about more than feeding, it’s about equity, dignity, and collective care.
At Hello, Bundle, that theme resonates deeply. We believe no parent should have to figure this out alone—not the pumping schedule, not the benefits paperwork, not the logistics of returning to work while still healing. When we support families in real, practical ways, we all move forward, together.
The Feeding Journey Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
Let me say this loud for the people in the back: There is no one “right” way to feed a baby. National Breastfeeding Month celebrates human milk, yes. But the deeper invitation is to honor every parent doing their best, with the information, resources, and circumstances they’ve got.
And as someone who works with parents navigating leave every single day, let me assure you: there’s no wrong way to do this.
Whether you’re:
Exclusively breastfeeding with ease
Triple feeding and losing your mind
Crying into your pump flange at 3am
Topping off with formula because supply isn’t keeping up
Choosing formula from day one with confidence and peace
You. Belong. In. This. Conversation.
You deserve access to education and support. You deserve time to heal. You deserve a system that meets you with compassion, not complexity.
Working Parents Can’t Do This Alone
The feeding journey doesn’t end when your baby figures out latching. It evolves. And for many, it gets even harder when they return to work. One of the biggest challenges I see? Parents who are finally figuring out a feeding rhythm, only to have it completely disrupted by their return-to-work schedule.
Sadly… workplaces are still catching up.
We hear stories every week of parents:
Pumping in supply closets
Skipping sessions because their manager “doesn’t get it”
Crying in cars between client meetings
Washing pump parts in breakroom sinks
This is why education, planning, and policy reform matter. This is why Hello, Bundle exists.
We’re not just a service. We’re your partner in navigating the logistics so you can focus on what matters most, feeding, bonding, and being present in these precious early months.
How You Can Celebrate National Breastfeeding Month
Whether you’re a parent, partner, employer, doula, or friend, there’s a place for you in this month’s movement. Here’s how we move Forward Together:
Know Your Rights
Don’t wait until week 38. We’ll help you break down what leave you’re eligible for, and how to stack it.
Make Space
Whether it’s asking your manager for a clean, private place to pump, or offering your office to someone else, it makes a difference.
Support Your Community.
Join a breastfeeding support group, refer someone to the WIC program, or donate to organizations increasing access for American Native and BIPOC families.
Tell Your Story
Post on social media, normalize the real (and messy) experiences of feeding a baby.
Check On Your Friends
Show up with snacks, hold the baby while they pump, or just text “you’re doing amazing” when they’re in the thick of it.
Get Help
If you’re overwhelmed, uncertain, or stuck in paperwork, reach out. We’re here.
Moving Forward… Together and With Help
Breastfeeding is powerful. But no one should have to navigate it in isolation, especially not while recovering from birth, figuring out a pumping routine, or learning to parent in the middle of the night on no sleep.
Forward Together isn’t just a theme… it’s a vision. One where parents aren’t left behind because they didn’t work hard enough, but are supported because we chose to change the system around them. It’s about creating a world where feeding your baby doesn’t come at the cost of your mental health, your paycheck, or your dignity.
If you're in the thick of it… leaking milk, googling nipple cream at 2am, or trying to be everything to everyone… I see you.
And I built Hello, Bundle with you in mind.
We're here to walk with you through the messy middle. If you're overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or just need someone in your corner as you plan your leave and feeding journey… reach out. We’re always just a message away.
Let’s move forward… together. Learn more about Hello, Bundle here.
