UC Davis’ Breastfeeding Support Program is turning World Breastfeeding Week into a month of presentations and a panel discussion on the Davis and Sacramento campuses. All events are free and open to the UC Davis community and wider community as well.

“Our own UC Davis Foods for Health Institute is at the forefront of human milk studies and we are fortunate to have researchers eager to share their expertise with the greater community,” said Sandy Batchelor, interim manager of WorkLife in Human Resources. “We also have the Human Lactation Center, dedicated to developing leaders in lactation.” 

The international celebration runs from Aug. 1 to 7, while the UC Davis programs will begin next week and run through Aug. 30.

Jennifer Smilowitz, researcher and associate director at the Foods for Health Institute, will give the first presentation — in fact, she will give it twice — on the subject of “Restoring the Infant Gut Microbiome.” The first presentation is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday (July 23) in the conference room at the Center for Mind and Brain, 267 Cousteau Place, Davis (free parking).

She will give her presentation in a more conversational style from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday (July 26) in a Community Science Café at the Old Soul @ 40 Acres coffeehouse, 3434 Broadway, Sacramento.

A panel discussion is scheduled from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1, in Meeting Room D in the Student Community Center on the Davis campus, on the topic of “Accomplishing Breastfeeding Goals.” Experts in the fields of health care, the workplace and the breastfeeding community will explore various breastfeeding resources available to families to use and assist in accomplishing their goals and meeting recommended guidelines.

The rest of the programs will be in 7106 Glassrock Building, 2521 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento. Here are the topics and dates: “Keeping Up Your Milk Supply” (Aug. 2), “Donor Milk Use to Promote Ongoing Breastfeeding Among Healthy Newborns” (Aug. 6), “Breastfeeding Rights and Advocacy” (Aug. 9),“Path to Baby Friendly and the UC Davis Breastfeeding Support Program” (Aug. 13), “Babywearing” (Aug. 16), “Wonders of Breastmilk and the Microbiome” (Aug. 23) and “Breast Health” (Aug. 30).

More information and the complete schedule.

RESOURCES

• Healthy UC Davis (including calendar of Upcoming Events)
• Staff and Faculty Health and Well-Being Program
• WorkLife and Wellness
• Health Management and Education
• Breathe Free UC Davis

Midday Meditation

Sign-ups are being taken for a three-part series of Midday Mindfulness Meditation in August for staff, faculty, students and retirees — all experience levels welcome. The sessions, free of charge, will be from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. Thursdays, Aug. 2, 9 and 16, in the Vanderhoef Studio Theatre, Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts.

The organizers with the Staff and Faculty Health and Well-Being Program and Healthy UC Davis say mindfulness is receiving increasing scientific support as an effective way to manage stress and promote well-being. Interested? Registration can be arranged online.

Questions? Contact the Staff and Faculty Health and Well-Being Program by email or phone, 530-752-6051.

Mindful Awareness Practices

Save the dates for a new session of Mindful Awareness Practices: a six-week course that will meet from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. on six consecutive Mondays, Sept. 10 to Oct. 15, on the Davis campus.

Registration will open Tuesday, Aug. 14. Take note: Space is limited; participants will be selected via a lottery system. More information will be available online.

Learn how to develop a personal mindfulness meditation practice that promotes your health and well-being and helps you better manage stress. Through experiential exercises and group discussions, in a supportive community environment, these classes will prepare you to apply mindfulness in daily life.

Sponsored by Healthy UC Davis, and the Staff and Faculty Well-Being Program. The course is offered at no cost to staff and faculty. Optional continuing education units are available for a fee.

Questions? Contact the Staff and Faculty Health and Well-Being Program by email or phone, 530-752-6051.

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