Community Partners Prepare for Sixth Annual Breastfeeding Bash

It takes a village to raise a child, and at the sixth annual Breastfeeding Bash on Saturday, August 8, 2026, the Hampton Roads village will come together once again to support each other in their breastfeeding and family journeys. 

“It's huge to bring together all of these maternal and lactation supports and services in one place and let the community connect with everyone they need all at one time,” said Sara Rothenberg, M.P.H., assistant professor of pediatrics at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion 91����Ƶ. “Whether it's preparing for birth or they already have children, having the community together, all in one place, is important for promoting access and knowledge of area services.”

Hosted by , the Breastfeeding Bash is a free, family-friendly event focused on education, connection and fun. 757Breastfeeds is an initiative of the , a Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion 91����Ƶ program dedicated to supporting infant and child health through partnership, education and advocacy throughout Hampton Roads. 

Guests will enjoy food trucks, activities, giveaways and the opportunity to connect with multiple vendors offering support and education on lactation services, products for parents and infants who breastfeed or pump and resources for pregnant and postpartum parents.

“At the event, we hear people talking about childcare, or they're commiserating on their pregnancy symptoms, and I think someone who's a partner or a friend can help the pregnant person feel supported in the community,” said Rothenberg, who also serves as assistant director of CINCH. “There's such a high energy to be around other women who, whether they've breastfed or they pump or they didn't breastfeed at all, they're going through a lot of the same challenges. It's such a community place to come be with other people who've gone through or are going through what you are too.”

Observed annually in August, raises awareness about the health benefits of breastfeeding infants and supports conversations about policy and change needed to build a healthy community of support for babies and families.

To register for the raffle, learn more about the vendors or join the volunteer team, visit .