Merced Breastfeeding Network

We believe every baby deserves a healthy start, and that’s why Mercy Medical Center is incredibly proud to be a part of Golden State Start!
This groundbreaking initiative, administered by our dedicated partners Baby2Baby on behalf of the State of California (through HCAI), will provide 400 free Baby2Baby diapers to every baby born at our hospital.
We're honored to support families in our community through this essential program!

Breastmilk has more of what babies need! Breastmilk is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antibodies that help your baby grow healthy and strong. Breastmilk even changes to meet your baby's needs as they get older.

Merced & Mariposa WIC is here to help you meet your infant feeding goals. This may include breastfeeding or a combination of breastfeeding and formula feeding. WIC offers lactation consultants, peer counselors, and a food package with more food to help you breastfeed successfully.

This years WABA World Breastfeeding Week theme is "Breastfeeding For a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works". How does support this year's theme?

📍Inform: By using data collection and available reports, we track our breastfeeding success rates across the county and use this information to continuously improve our service.

📍Anchor: Providing evidence based breastfeeding support including breastfeeding peer counselors, support groups, and education.

📍Engage: Partnering with community advocates, such as the Merced Breastfeeding Network, to strengthen support across our community.

📍Galvanize: Supporting policy and advocacy through our Regional Breastfeeding Liaison who goes into the community to educate, support, and normalize breastfeeding.

Welcome to Day 1 of !

2026 Theme: Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works

World Breastfeeding Week was created in 1992 by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy and is celebrated annually from August 1-7. Since 2016, WBW has been aligned with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2018, a World Health Assembly resolution endorsed WBW as an important breastfeeding promotion strategy.

📢 Community All Call — Sunrise Ceremony & Milky Way Journey Submissions Are Now Open!

We’re inviting our relatives, friends, and community to share offerings for Indigenous Milk Medicine Week 2026 (August 8-14). This year’s theme, We Keep the Fires Lit: Rising Through Milk Medicine, honors our collective care, continuity, and cultural practice. Here's how the community can get involved:

☀️ Sunrise Ceremony Offerings
Consider sharing a pre‑recorded prayer, song, movement, or cultural expression to be featured in our daily Sunrise Ceremonies during IMMW.

🌌 Milky Way Journeys
Share photos and a brief reflection from your Milk Medicine journey to help us uplift the diversity of Indigenous lactation experiences.

Deadline: July 25, 2026
Your voice keeps the fires lit. Your story matters. Your offering strengthens our community.

👉 Submit here: 🔗 https://forms.gle/ts1Y9nV6qCdbZd6y6

Please help us spread the word — like, comment, and share to help this reach our relatives.

Castle Family Health Centers' Community Wellness Day!

Join out community partners for a day of free health screenings, entertainment, giveaways and valuable resources for families. We're excited to contribute First 5 backpacks filled with early learning materials for children ages 0-5 to help support school readiness!

📅 Saturday, July 25
⏰ 9:00AM - 1:00PM
📍 Castle Clinic, 3605 Hospital Rd.

We hope many families take advantage of this wonderful community event!

National Breastfeeding Month 2026 is right around the corner. We are getting ready for a full month (and more!) of education, celebration, and advocacy. This year's theme is RISE: Resilience, Interdependence, Self-Determination, Empowerment.

Please mark your calendars for our National Breastfeeding Month Proclamations happening at the City & County level!

The Merced Breastfeeding Cafe Support groups meets today at 10am until noon.

ATTN: New Mommy & Me Program

Join us in partnership with Boys & Girls Club of Merced County THURSDAY June 25 at 10am for a Lactation Education Class! We will be covering the basics such as getting a good latch, newborn care, bottle feeding, newborn behavior, sleep patterns, and more!

1520 W Main St (NEW! Boys & Girls Club Teen Center)
Merced, CA
10am
Thursday June 25th

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Atención: nuevo programa para mamás y bebés.

Clase de education sobre lactancia! En colaboracion con Boys & Girls Club of Merced County. Bolsas de reglaos para los participantes que asistan. Education sobre el cuidado del recien nacido. Informacion sobre la alimentacion, lactancia y biberon).

Clase es gratuita y conducida en ingles y espanol 🙌🏻

1520 W Main St (Boys & Girls Club Teen Center)
Merced, CA
10am
Junio 25, 2026