- Every step we take Forward Together amplifies what we can do, when we unite around a shared vision for a healthier, more equitable future. In the First Food field, momentum is building in powerful ways:
- Policy & systems change: Advocates are driving legislation like the Access to Donor Milk Act, the PUMP Act, and the Demand Act ensuring that families have paid leave, safe places to pump/receive lactation support, and access to screened donor milk even in emergencies.
- Environmental impact: Breastfeeding isn’t just health it’s sustainability. Shifting from formula to human milk dramatically slashes water use and greenhouse emissions. Some estimates show formula can generate up to 14 kg of CO₂ per kg produced, while breastfeeding remains climate-friendly aliveandthrive.org.
- Solidarity in action: From Baby‑Friendly Hospitals to human milk banks and coalitions of hundreds of organizations and even grassroots efforts like snowdrop‑tree initiatives all these voices are knitting together a network of care, justice, and hope Johns Hopkins School of Nursing.
Let’s shine the spotlight on the tireless advocates and organizations:
- Policymakers & advocates pushing through legislation that enshrines paid family leave, pumping rights, and donor milk access.
- Hospitals & health systems embracing Baby‑Friendly practices and integrating lactation support across care networks.
- Environmental leaders highlighting breastfeeding as a carbon‑smart choice, and championing breastfeeding’s role in global climate and sustainability goals.
Donor milk banks & nonprofits working to ensure every baby has access to human milk from community support to national milk banking systems.
- Why This Matters
- Health & equity: Breastfeeding saves lives preventing disease in babies and mothers, and closing gaps in care for marginalized communities.
- Planetary wellbeing: As a low-carbon, low‑water food source, human milk aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and helps counter the environmental fallout of formula production Human Milk Foundation.
- Collective strength: Change isn’t made in silos it’s born from coalitions, shared actions, and collective commitment.
- Our strength lies in solidarity. Every policy pushed, every system changed, every drop of donor milk shared brings us closer to a future where first food isn’t a privilege, but a universal right.
Let’s continue advancing policy, systems, and environmental change in the First Food field so every family can thrive, every baby can flourish, and our planet can breathe easier. - Forward Together. With hope. With action. With love.
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