Kent County Nurse-Family Partnership

That's a lot of times to try new foods! Keep at it!

Research-Based Mealtime Hacks for “Picky” Eaters Here’s what the research says about teaching our littlest food critics to try new foods. “Picky” eating behavior — being unwilling to try new or non-favorite foods — usually starts at about two years of age. This is the same time toddlers begin to establish their independence in other area...

There are lots of places to find support for new parents in our community! Check out the resource list provided by MomsBloom, Inc. at https://momsbloom.org/postpartum-resources.

Please check out the Strong Fathers January Newsletter! Strong Fathers is a program just for the fathers in your life. Follow them to see more of what they have to offer. Strong Fathers/Padres Fuertes - Strong Beginnings

If you are looking for a meaningful career supporting women and families, please take a look at this opportunity from Day One Doula Collective!

Day One Doula Collective is looking for people to join our team of community-based doulas!

Doula eligibility requirements:
- Live within Kent County
- 18 years or older
- Identify as black and/or a person of color
- Passion for supporting birthing people of color

Comprehensive training and hands-on experience is provided to you at no cost.

Apply by July 22nd; application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNXyC6oxBr-duBQFqU_YRNYaPrRl7HyezlQupoxT1Uyht9GA/viewform

Are you looking for something fun and free to do this summer? If you’ve not been, Storytime Grand Rapids is a huge WIN for families.

Kids ages 0-15 choose a free book, and the whole family scores free ice cream. Every Tuesday at Garfield Park, and bi-monthly at MLK Park and Lincoln Park. 6:30 - 8:00 PM. FREE.

See their FB page for more info and opportunities!

Dispelling Myths and Protecting Infant Health during Infant Formula Shortages
To address infant formula shortages in the wake of Abbott Nutrition’s voluntary recall of certain powdered infant formulas, The White House and HHS are working to ensure that infant formula is safe and available for families across the country. Even as the Administration works with manufactures to increase production and take other steps to address the shortage, it’s clear that too many families continue to encounter challenges obtaining infant formula—especially families of about 5,000 infants as well as some older children and adults with rare metabolic diseases that depend on specialty formulas. Join us as we share how YOU can help communicate what families can do to protect infant health in each of our communities.
When: Thursday, May 26th at 9:00 am ET
RSVP: https://pitc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_xBfVWBVEQh-Lo-i4E_-NGw

President Biden has directed his administration to work urgently to ensure that during the Abbott nutrition voluntary recall, infant formula is safe and available for families across the country. For tools and resources to help families find formula, go to www.hhs.gov/formula and watch this video from the President describing the steps the Administration is taking to increase the baby formula supply. Yesterday, the Administration took additional steps to address the shortage, including approving the first Operation Fly Formula Mission.
And share the following resources widely in your communities.
• Baby Formula do’s & don’ts graphic includes helpful tips for those having trouble finding formula
• Baby Formula Q&A live now on IG Stories that covers why the shortage occurs, what the Administration is doing, reshares the do’s & don’ts graphic, and directs people to the hhs.gov/formula site

Maternal & Infant Health Maternal & Infant Health

Please check out the valuable and important information from Day One Doula Collective!

The Color of Care a documentary produced by Oprah Winfrey is now available to watch free on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/McSrWz-L1hY

EVERY care provider, policy maker, and community member needs to watch this —

Many stories are shared throughout the documentary which highlights the inequities we continue to see in maternal health.

We cannot continue to do things how we’ve always done thinking that it’ll usher in new results. Black mothers continue to die during and after childbirth and a lot of the time from preventable causes.

We must change our methods of care!

Take a look at the daycare openings posted by the Great Start to Quality Kent Resource Center!

Please read the below formula recall if you use Similac formula!

FDA Warns Consumers Not to Use Certain Powdered Infant Formula Produced in Abbott Nutrition’s Facility in Sturgis, Michigan The FDA is investigating consumer complaints of Cronobacter sakazakii infections and one consumer complaint of infection of Salmonella Newport potentially linke

Most midwives, including enslaved women, drew upon traditional healing knowledge and practices passed down through generations.

Throughout the years, despite efforts to marginalize them by the medical establishment, Black midwives have continued to play a critical role in delivering babies and training the next generation of Black birthworkers.

This we join, in celebrating the legacy of Black medical practitioners, birth workers, doulas, and midwives in honor of the 2022 theme of Black History Month: Black Health and Wellness.