For Immediate Release
Contact: Brettan Bablove
brettan@milkforthought.com
619-318-3536

July 23, 2011

Milk for Thought's Big Pink Bus for Breastfeeding Heads to Washington, DC


Breastfeeding has been making headlines - from The Surgeon General's Call to Action to the First Lady's Let's Move Campaign to a passionate advocacy and support network to multiple celebrity endorsements.

Using this momentum, Milk for Thought is taking the energy, passion and dedication of the breastfeeding community on the road - for 45 days, 30-plus cities, and 1 goal, to support, empower and connect the breastfeeding community. The "Latch On America Tour" embarked on July 14.

Goals of the Latch On America Tour include supporting the 20 steps of the Surgeon General's Call to Action for breastfeeding, connecting new moms with lactation experts, increasing awareness for local breastfeeding resources, and learning about and document the unique breastfeeding culture in each city. Along the way, a documentary crew will capture the amazing breastfeeding stories of mothers and advocates as well as profiling organizations that are taking action to empower breastfeeding moms.

When the road trip was announced, Milk for Thought founder Ryan Comfort was wowed by the passionate response from breastfeeding supporters in cities and towns across the country - from Poughkeepsie to the Navajo Nation to Seattle - who rallied to bring the big pink bus to their city.

"The Latch On America Tour started with an initial idea to rent an RV and drive cross country to meet all the amazing supporters and moms who are taking action for the breastfeeding community. Now, because of the excitement and overwhelming response we got, the trip has gotten bigger, 40 feet of pink bus bigger, with stops in more than 30 cities!" Comfort says.

"We are thrilled for the Latch On America Tour to stop in Washington, DC. After talking to several community leaders and supporters, it was clear that the District has a very strong, creative breastfeeding community, and we are especially excited to highlight the healthcare and community support for breastfeeding in action - from the Children's National East of the River Lactation Support Center established to improve breastfeeding rates in the section of the city with both the lowest rates and the most limited community and professional breastfeeding support to Georgetown University Hospital where DC has its only birthing facility with a Certificate of Intent to certify as Baby-Friendly.

A culminating Big Latch On event will take place on Saturday, August 6th at Howard University Hospital in conjunction with a Community Baby Shower being sponsored by the hospital and the DC Breastfeeding Coalition," says Dr. Sahira Long, President of the Coalition.

"We are going to meet some incredible people and inspire others," says Comfort. "Really, we are just honored to collaborate to provide real solutions and support not just to breastfeeding moms, but also to their support network."

Breastfeeding is beautiful, but it's not always easy. Every mother who wants to breastfeed should have easy access to the love, support and encouragement she needs in one friendly and reliable place. MilkforThought.com works collaboratively with all members of the breastfeeding community to help new moms have a successful breastfeeding journey by connecting them to local experts and counselors, baby-friendly hospitals and birthing centers, support groups, and other mothers. By providing an online platform, the entire support community can comprehensively support new parents, change attitudes, improve national rates of breastfeeding, and impact legislation. To learn more, please visit MilkforThought.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter.


P.O. Box 29214, Washington, DC 20017 • Tel 202-470-2732 • email info@dcbfc.org

Medical Disclaimer: The information presented here is not intended to diagnose health problems, breastfeeding problems, or to take the place of professional medical care. If you have persistent breastfeeding problems, or if you have further questions, please consult your health care provider. The DC Breastfeeding Coalition does not share partnership with, or have any vested interest in, any of the businesses that may appear on this site, or sites that may be accessible by links herein contained.