This page is kept as part of Breastfeed Durham’s history. In March 2020 Breastfeed Durham pivoted to emergency support for feeding families during COVID-19, building a web-based resource hub within weeks. The links below are preserved as they stood in 2021; many have since expired. For today’s emergency guidance see Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies.
Our goal at Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities is to support all families in our community during this unprecedented and stressful time. We know that information and recommendations are changing rapidly and it can be difficult to find the resources you need to sustain your family. Please see below for information, resources, tips, and support.
Durham and North Carolina Resources
- NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)
- Durham County Department of Public Health
- City of Durham COVID-19 Updates & Resources
Global and National Resources
- Global Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities COVID-19 Emergency Resources Page
- United States Breastfeeding Committee Emergency Resources Page
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) | Changes in WIC Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A First Look at the Impact of Federal Waivers.
- The National WIC Association (NWA), | Multi-State WIC Participant Satisfaction Survey: Learning from Program Adaptations During COVID
Contact Us
Please contact us with any additional resources that need to be added to this page.
From the COVID Breastfeeding Support page (2020 to 2021)
Local Breastfeeding Resources and Support During COVID
If you have concerns about milk supply or any questions about starting or maintaining a breastfeeding relationship during this time, you have options locally:
- Call a La Leche League (LLL) Leader (no cost)
- LLL of Durham website / LLL of Durham Facebook page / LLL of DurhamPM Facebook page
- LLL of Chapel Hill website / LLL of Chapel Hill Facebook page
- Many La Leche League Meetings across the USA have moved to an online platform due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus/COVID-19. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL LEADERS OR CHECK THEIR ONLINE PAGES FOR ADDITIONAL INFO. https://lllusa.org/locator/
- Call Family Connects Durham (no cost)
- Family Connects Durham is continuing nurse visits through telehealth during this time. If you are giving birth at Duke or Duke Regional expect a phone call to your postpartum room phone! If they don’t catch you or you birth somewhere else please feel free to reach out to us online or by phone! 919-385-0777
- North Carolina WIC: WIC is conducting all appointments over the phone.
- The only time a client would need to come in to the office:
- If you have never had WIC
- Had WIC before e-wic
- Evaluate the need for a pump on a case by case basis: If a pump does need to be issued, WIC will make the decision as to whether you need to come to the WIC lobby area, or if WIC will meet you at the entrance where you can stay in their car.
- Durham: Durham County WIC resources are available through the Durham County Health Department at 919-956-4042.
- Orange: Orange County WIC resources are available through the Piedmont Health Services, Inc (located within the Orange County Health Department) at 919-245-2422.
- Wake: Wake County WIC resources are available on the Wake County Services website and at 919250-4720.
- The only time a client would need to come in to the office:
- NC Women’s Hospital
- The NC Women’s Hospital now is offering Virtual Breastfeeding classes in English. Registration and payment for that class is done through their site: www.NCHealthyWoman.org.
- NC Women’s Hospital also is offering a complimentary support Networking Group called MOM (Mentoring Other Mothers) where different themes are covered, including breastfeeding. Even though this is a free weekly service, mothers and expecting moms need to register at their website.
From the Global and National COVID Resources page (2020 to 2021)
- World Health Organization (WHO): Q&A on COVID-19, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding
- United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF): “Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): What parents should know“
- Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine: “ABM Statement on Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)“
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- American Academy of Pediatrics: This guidance is for families with children.
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network: “Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019“
- La Leche League USA: Provides answers and resources for some of the most frequently asked questions about coronavirus and breastfeeding
- Human Milk Banking Association of North America: “Milk Donation & COVID-19”
- North Carolina Pediatric Society COVID: response page (it has a resource section for families toward the bottom of the page)
- KellyMom: COVID-19: Current Recommendations at a Glance
Resources for Lactation Consultants
- AMA Journal of Ethics: This organization has been talking about how to practice ethically in pandemics and epidemics for years, and now turns its attention to coronavirus with many resources, including a podcast.
- Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute: “COVID-19 Resources.“
- Journal of Human Lactation facebook page: this site offers ongoing scientific posts about coronavirus.
- Home visit guidelines from CMS: broad guidance on how to manage either patients or providers with symptoms of or confirmed coronavirus
- International Lactation Consultant Association: provides a good summary of the concerns in practicing lactation support during this pandemic, supports clinical care, and suggests telehealth when appropriate or needed.
- National Perinatal Association: provides a set of resources and information similar to the other organizations here, as well as including a webinar
- Resources for Lactation Supporters During COVID-19 from Lactation Education Resources: this gives us three, quick, 1-page, lactation-specific guidance on community and telehealth options for breastfeeding support providers
- United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC): Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies, including COVID-19*
Beyond breastfeeding: the 2020 community resource list. During spring 2020 this site also carried a county-by-county list of school meal distribution, eviction suspensions, small business relief, student loan forbearance and tax deadline changes. Those programs ended in 2020 and 2021 and the list has been retired.
Page last updated May 24, 2021; archived September 2026