Community Breastfeeding Collaborative Invites New Families to Join Monthly Support Groups During Breastfeeding Awareness Month
Explore Local Breastfeeding Resources at August 15 Open House
August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, a time to recognize the importance of supporting families at every stage of their infant-feeding journey.
As the monthly Breastfeeding and Lactation Support Meet-Ups enter their 2026-2027 season, organizers invite both returning participants and new families to participate.
The new season begins with a special Breastfeeding Resources Open House on Saturday, August 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Keweenaw Community Foundation, located inside the Hancock Community Hub, 417 Quincy St., Hancock. Free licensed childcare will be available during the event.
Representatives from the Community Breastfeeding Collaborative will share information about services available to local families and answer questions about pregnancy, breastfeeding, infant feeding, and early parenthood.
The event is especially valuable for expecting parents, who can begin building relationships with local providers and gather resources to help prepare for their baby's first months.
“We want to promote breastfeeding in the Copper Country and let the community know about the benefits for the whole family. Parenting is hard and we know that solid support can make it easier. The free monthly support group is a great way to find friendship and camaraderie and even get a feeding evaluation done. It’s a fun group—and we have snacks!”
Join the Monthly Breastfeeding and Lactation Support Meet-Ups
Following the August open house, the group will continue to meet on the third Saturday of each month at Gabby’s Guppies from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., offering peer support and ongoing opportunities to connect with Certified Lactation Counselors.
Each monthly meet-up includes:
Educational topics and guidance from Certified Lactation Counselors
Open discussion and peer support
Light refreshments
Free licensed childcare
A virtual attendance option for families unable to attend in person
Families who are pregnant, breastfeeding, pumping, or simply exploring infant feeding options are welcome to attend. For more information, please visit the Breastfeeding Collaborative page on the Keweenaw Community Foundation website.
Why Breastfeeding Awareness Month Matters
Breastfeeding offers well-documented health benefits for both infants and parents. In rural communities, however, families often face additional barriers to support, such as longer travel distances, fewer lactation professionals, and limited opportunities to have open, honest conversations about breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding Awareness Month is a reminder that every family deserves access to trusted information and local support. By making resources in the Keweenaw more accessible, the Collaborative seeks to help families build confidence and achieve their own infant-feeding goals.
About the Community Breastfeeding Collaborative
The Breastfeeding Collaborative is a community-driven partnership formed in 2023 to identify and address gaps in breastfeeding support in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. Through listening sessions and community surveys, the group identified a clear need for consistent, accessible, in-person support for parents navigating infant care.
The program is financially supported by the Keweenaw Community Foundation through its Community Impact Fund which invests in collaborative community-driven projects that help maintain and enhance the quality of life across the greater Keweenaw area.
Participating Organizations:
Treehouse Family Resources
Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center
UP Health System - Portage
Western UP Health Department
BHK Child Development
Copper Country ISD - Early On
Copper Shores Community Health Foundation
KBIC Health System
Keweenaw Community Foundation
