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Dear Friends of Breastfeed Durham,
April is a special time for us to come together in reflection, recognition, and renewed commitment to the health and well-being of our communities. As we honor both Minority Health Month and Black Maternal Health Week, we hold space for the ongoing journey toward health equity—especially for Black families and other historically marginalized communities.
This month, we celebrate the strength, wisdom, and resilience that have long existed within our communities. The story of lactation and maternal care is deeply connected to the care passed down through generations—from midwives and community health workers to mothers, advocates, and scholars who have tirelessly fought for healthier outcomes for families. Their legacy continues to guide and inspire the way we support parents and babies today.
At the same time, we recognize that the work is far from over. Too many families still face barriers to equitable maternal health care and culturally responsive lactation support. These challenges are real, and they continue to affect the health and well-being of our communities.
This April, we renew our commitment to creating spaces where every family feels seen, supported, and cared for. Together, we can continue uplifting community voices, honoring lived experiences, and working toward a future where all parents and babies have the opportunity to thrive.
Thank you for being part of this work and this community with us.
With Gratitude,
Breastfeed Durham Team |
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A Wonderful Afternoon of Music, Community, and Support:
Thank You for Joining Our Cajun Brunch Fundraiser
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On Sunday, March 8th, friends of Breastfeed Durham gathered at Succotash Southern & Creole Kitchen for a joyful Cajun Brunch fundraiser filled with great food, live music, and warm community spirit. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us to celebrate and support the families we serve.
Events like this remind us that building a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Durham truly takes a village. Whether you came to enjoy the music, shared a meal with friends, or made a donation, your presence helped strengthen our work supporting pregnant and parenting families across Durham.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Succotash for generously opening their space and hosting this special afternoon. Their hospitality created the perfect setting for people to gather, connect, and celebrate community.
A special thank you also goes to the musicians from OYAYAs, who brought the sounds of Cajun music to Durham and filled the room with energy and joy. Their performance made the afternoon unforgettable.
We are also deeply grateful to everyone who donated during the event. Your generosity helps support Breastfeed Durham’s ongoing work, including:
- Expanding lactation support for families
- Creating welcoming breastfeeding spaces in our community
- Supporting childcare providers, businesses, and public spaces in becoming breastfeeding friendly
- Building stronger systems of care for parents and infants across Durham
Together, we raised over $1000 to support Breastfeed Durham’s programs and community outreach. Every contribution helps us move closer to a community where every family has the support they need to meet their infant feeding goals.
Thank you again to everyone who came out, shared the event with friends, made a donation, or simply helped spread the word. We had a wonderful afternoon celebrating together, and we look forward to many more opportunities to gather as a community.
If you missed this event, don’t worry—there are more opportunities to connect coming soon! Be sure to mark your calendars for the Durham Pregnancy Expo & Family Festival on May 2, 2026 at Hillside Park.
From all of us at Breastfeed Durham: thank you for being part of this community.
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Save the Date: Breastfeed Durham's Pregnancy Expo & Family Festival 2026
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Making It Work: Supporting Lactation in the Workplace (Forsyth County)
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Breastfeed Durham is pleased to share an upcoming series from Forsyth County, working to strengthen breastfeeding support through workplace innovation.
Since 2019, Nurturing Generations has supported families across the perinatal continuum through evidence-based childbirth education, lactation care, and personalized guidance. In partnership with the Forsyth County Department of Public Health’s ICO4MCH program and Be Well – Women’s Wellness Collective, they are launching the Making It Work Series—an implementation-focused initiative designed to help employers create lactation-friendly workplaces.
This series brings the NC Making It Work toolkit to life by offering employers a turnkey approach to developing supportive policies and practices, along with structured guidance and technical assistance. Employees also benefit from facilitated group sessions that build confidence, promote maternal health, and support sustained participation in the workforce during lactation.
The series is free and open for registration, with materials available in both English and Spanish. We encourage community partners, employers, and advocates to attend and share this opportunity widely to support making breastfeeding work for every family. |
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Support the Modern WIC/21st Century WIC Act!
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Remote nutrition services have been critical in making WIC benefits more accessible to low-income families by allowing them to certify and recertify for WIC services remotely. Use the form linked here to send a pre-drafted letter to your Members of Congress to support the bipartisan MODERN WIC Act. |
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Supporting Safe Infant Feeding!
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Inclement weather can create challenges for families with babies, increasing the need for supplies that support safe infant feeding practices. Please help us support these families by shopping our registry today. Items will be distributed in collaboration with the NC Diaper Bank.
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Send Us Information for Your Events!
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We want to highlight as many events, celebrations, and opportunities as possible for our community!
Please email newsletter@breastfeedingcommunities.org if you have any upcoming events, celebrations, or opportunities you'd like us to share in our upcoming newsletters. |
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Apr 6, 13, 20, 27 | 11:00a-12:00p
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Baby Bistro |
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Baby Bistro will meet every Monday from 11a-12p. Every second Monday of the month will be bilingual English/Spanish. The goal of this group is to serve the needs of infants and families in those first few months after birth.
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Apr 6, 13, 20, 27 | 11:30a-12:30p
Apr 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | 5:30-6:30p
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Beyond Birth Lactation Services: Virtual Pumping 101 Class |
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Pumping can sometimes be stressful & confusing as a new parent. Beyond Birth Lactation Services and their Pumping Specialist offers virtual pumping classes to set you & your baby up for success, before coming in for a flange fit session.
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Apr 6, 13, 20, 27 | 1:00-2:30p
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Virtual Ready, Set, Baby Prenatal Education Class |
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This free service offers education for pregnancy, birth and postpartum care using an evidence-based and pilot-tested curriculum called Ready, Set, Baby. Classes are facilitated by lactation training students and staff at the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute and are precepted by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
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Apr 7, 14, 21, 28 | 2:00-3:30p
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Clase virtual de educación prenatal: ¡Preparados, listos, bebé! [Español] |
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Este servicio gratuito ofrece educación sobre el embarazo, el parto y el posparto mediante un programa piloto basado en la evidencia llamado "Preparados, Listos, Bebé". Las clases son impartidas por estudiantes y personal de capacitación en lactancia del Instituto Global de Lactancia Materna de Carolina, bajo la supervisión de una Consultora de Lactancia Certificada por la Junta Internacional. |
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Apr 7, 14, 21, 28 | 6:00-7:00p
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Grupo de Padres Latinos |
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Ven a compartir con otros padres los desafios que conlleva una paternidad comprometida y responsable. El grupo de padres latinos se reúne todos los martes a las 6 p.m. Las personas interesadas pueden registrarse y luego el líder se comunicará con ellos para determinar con qué grupo comenzarán. |
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Apr 9, 16, 23, 30 | 7:00-8:30p
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Moms Supporting Moms: Virtual Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Support Group |
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SAFEchild’s Moms Supporting Moms Program offers a free, virtual PMADs Support Group every Thursday except the first Thursday of the month. Participants must register via SAFEchild’s website to attend the virtual meetings. |
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March of Dimes Ready for Life NC: Maternal Mental Health |
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This 90-minute FREE continuing education session equips
healthcare and community-based providers with the
knowledge and practical skills to recognize, screen for,
and respond to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Participants will learn to identify the full spectrum of
maternal mental health conditions — from perinatal
depression and anxiety to birth trauma, perinatal
loss, and postpartum psychosis — with attention
to the North Carolina data and racial and health
equity disparities that shape who is most at risk and
least likely to receive care. |
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Durham PreK Roll Up & Enroll |
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Come to the DPS Staff Development Center for our Roll Up & Enroll event! Families will be able to: work on their application with an application counselor, receive assistance uploading required documents, and ask questions about the application process. There will be family resources, food and more! |
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La Leche League – In Person |
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Breastfeeding is natural, but it doesn’t always come naturally. We offer support to all who want to breastfeed. Whether you are pregnant, facing a challenge, breastfeeding is going smoothly, or you’d like to help support others…
In person meeting! As a note for our location, there is an elevator to the second floor (a big stone column on the side of the building), as well as stair access. We are above the Wine Cellar and Bui Thai in Suite 202. |
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Una Día a La Vez: Círculo de Apoyo Comunitario |
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¡Únese a este círculo de Apoyo Comunitario para Familias Latinas esperando bebé o con bebés!
Hablaremos sobre la lactancia materna y la maternidad. Tendremos PAÑALES GRATIS, meriendas, información y más.
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Annual Dance Party Fundraiser for Black Maternal Health Week |
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Please join Equity Before Birth for their annual Dance Party Fundraiser in celebration of Black Maternal Health Week 2026! This celebratory event is open to all community members and will include fun for the entire family!
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MAAME, Inc, 3rd Annual Run, Walk, & Stroll |
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This is a family-friendly, community-centered experience designed for participants of all ages, paces, and abilities. Walk at your own pace. Bring your stroller. This event is inclusive by design. |
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3rd Annual Milk Conference |
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The MILK Research and Educational Group’s annual conference will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at NC State University’s Talley Student Union! This conference brings together healthcare providers, lactation professionals, educators, researchers, and students from across North Carolina for a day of learning, networking, and inspiration.
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Breastfeed Durham's Pregnancy Expo & Family Festival 2026 |
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Join us at Hillside Park on May 2nd for a day filled with festivities! Stay tuned for more updates. |
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Thank you to our financial partners! |
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This newsletter was made possible with the financial contributions of the Durham County Board of Commissioners, Durham County Office of the County Manager, Durham County Department of Public Health as part of the Improving Community Outcomes for Maternal and Child Health grant, Beyond Birth Lactation Services, Carolina Birth & Wellness, and donors like you. |
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Consider becoming a monthly sustainer... |
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Breastfeed Durham has received 2 years of conditional funding for Bernadette Greene to continue to serve in the role of Executive Director. The funding is conditional on Breastfeed Durham finding matching funds from other sources. |
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Acceptance of paid advertisements does not constitute Breastfeed Durham endorsement of the product or service advertised. Breastfeed Durham does not require advertisers to carry product liability insurance. To place an ad, please contact Breastfeed Durham by email or by phone 919-622-8787. |
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