Breastfeed Durham Successfully Completes 22-23 ICO4MCH Breastfeeding Scope of Work

Breastfeed Durham is proud to announce that we have successfully completed the ICO4MCH breastfeeding scope of work. Through a contract with the Durham County Department of Public Health we’ve provided services for the Improving Community Outcomes for Maternal and Child Health initiative. This initiative was funded by the North Carolina Division of Public Health and is aimed to improve birth outcomes, reduce infant mortality, and improve the health status of children ages birth to five.

To address the complex challenges of improving the health for women of childbearing age and children ages birth to five, Durham County stakeholders chose three evidence-based strategies:

Reproductive Life Planning
Family Connects (newborn home visiting program)
10 Successful Steps for Breastfeeding with a specific focus on Steps 3 and 10.

These strategies were selected for their alignment with multiple RFA requirements described in Session Law 2017-57, Section 11E.3.

Breastfeed Durham collaborated with the Durham County Department of Public Health on the second strategy (10 Successful Steps for Breastfeeding), with a specific focus on Steps 3 and 10. From October 2022 through May 2023, our efforts were maintained and expanded through breastfeeding champions across the Durham County Department of Public Health, Breastfeed Durham, and a network of community health workers.

Objective 1. Virtual Trainings

Conduct at least 5 virtual trainings for healthcare and/or childcare providers on the relevant breastfeeding topics. Reach at least 40 healthcare providers.

Objective 2 & 3. Educational Outreach

Assist with or coordinate at least 8 educational outreach events to promote culturally and linguistically appropriate education to people of all genders of reproductive age to increase the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding. At least 2 members of Breastfeed Durham will attend and participate in DCoDPH’s ICO4MCH Health Fair.

October 13, 2022: Women’s NC Networking event. Our team discussed women’s rights regarding their bodies and racial equity with the attendees.
October 21, 2022: Breastfeeding Info Table at First Presbyterian Day School’s Fall Festival. Our team uploaded event pictures to a Google Doc, collected contact information, and selected a winner from the list.
October 25, 2022: Our team distributed resources at the NC Birth Doulas Summit and set up an educational table at First Presbyterian Day School.
October 31, 2022: Our team participated in the FCR Fall Festival, promoting breastfeeding to attendees.
December 9, 2022: We hosted the Winter Ornament Craft Fest, which included babywearing, breastfeeding formation, and ornament making. Our team distributed 15 new big rack cards, 15 old rack cards, and one ornament to attendees.
January 16, 2023: Our team coordinated a diaper drive with Diapers for Black Durham, collecting 22 boxes of diapers over two weeks in person and by mail. We shared 50 rack cards with the diapers, and some of the boxes were broken up as they were distributed to breastfeeding families.
February 15, 2023: Our team participated in a health fair as part of the “Take Back the Night,” Durham protest against violence, which was part of The Lewis J. McCallum 6th Annual Week of Peace! We distributed 63 items, including t-shirts, sunglasses, brochures, and rack cards.
February 25, 2023: Our team participated in a community-based event to help MAAME set up a lactation space.
EMBRACE Retreat: On March 11, 2023, we assisted our community partners in Chatham County with sharing stories and hearing stories about Reproductive and maternal Health. Breastfeed Durham promoted this event and encouraged attendance.
Diapers for Black Durham Community Event: On March 18, 2023, we assisted in distributing diapers, and families were encouraged to stay for tea and chat about their breastfeeding and lactation journeys. Breastfeed Durham donated 22 boxes of diapers.
Equity Before Births Film Screening: On March 18, 2023, we joined Equity Before Birth (EBB) in hosting a free film screening of “Birthing Justice” to explore maternal health. Breastfeed Durham promoted the event and showed up with volunteers.
LGBTQ Queer Health Fair on March 18, 2023: Breastfeed Durham set up a table at the event, and members of the LGBTQ+ Human Milk Feeding Coalition were available to connect with families.
Black Maternal Health Week Family Game Night: On April 10, 2023, we attended SisterSong’s family game night to support Equity Before Birth. Breastfeed Durham networked with attendees and partnered with SisterSong during Black Maternal Health Week.
Equity Before Birth Dance Party: On April 14, 2023, we promoted and attended the dance party fundraiser for Black Maternal Health Week. Breastfeed Durham was active in the planning process and social media distribution.
MAMME Ribbon Cutting Event: On April 15, 2023, we helped set up the lactation room at the MAAME, Inc. Community Perinatal Wellness Center.
Photo shoot Duke Gardens: On April 20, 2023, we hosted a free photo shoot event for Black and Brown breastfeeding parents in honor of Black Maternal Health Week and National Minority Health Month.
Emerald Doulas Festival Piney Wood Park: On April 29, 2023, Breastfeed Durham participated in the event, and Emerald Doulas collected items for the Diaper Bank of NC, while Rainbow Collective for Change hosted a story time for children.
Durham Mothers Club Spring Picnic: On April 30, 2023, Breastfeed Durham organized volunteers, set up, and cleaned up for the picnic.
FCR Community Event: On May 6, 2023, Breastfeed Durham partnered with Families & Communities Rising to host a Family Fun Day with games, music, food, and community resources.

Objective 4. Lactation Areas in Durham Businesses

Set up at least 10 lactation stations/areas in Durham County businesses.

American Underground
Bella Capelli Salon
Boost Mobile on Wake Forest Hwy
Cellfixx
CitiTrends
Cricket Wireless on Wake Forest Hwy
Dollar Tree on Glenn School Rd
Duke Beauty Supply
Durham Charter School
Emily Anderson Postpartum Solutions L.L.C.
First Presbyterian Day School;;
Freeman’s Creative
Gold Diggers Liquidation
J Palmas #1
Jr Panache’s Nail & Spa
Journey of Motherhood
KFC on Horton Rd
Las Palmas #1
MAAME, Inc.
Mariam African Hair Braiding
Max Hugo Interior Design
Nail care
Nantucket Grill
Old Navy at New Hope Commons
Part & Parcel
Plaza Latina
Pokeworks
Rofhiwa Book Cafe
Shoe Show on Glenn School Rd
Stylz Unlimited
Subway, Coffee World, Ice Cream Club
Temple Studio
The Exercise Coach on Hwy 751, Suite 105
The Wonder Lab
Triangle Party Rentals LLC
Triangle Pharmacy
Ultimate Fertility and Lactation Consulting LLC
Village Italian Pizzeria

Full List of Breastfeeding Friendly Businesses
Apply Today to become a community partner

Learn more about how Breastfeed Durham help 38 businesses creating a supportive environment for breastfeeding families in the Durham area, successfully set up 24 private lactation spaces for employees, and assisted in the development of 17 lactation policies.

Objective 5. Newsletters

Produce and widely disseminate at least 8 Breastfeed Durham newsletters to populations of interest.

May 3, 2023 – Durham Digest: Stay aBreast (May 2023)
April 11, 2023 – Black Maternal Health Week 2023
April 5, 2023 – Durham Digest: Stay aBreast (April 2023)
March 1, 2023 – Durham Digest: Stay aBreast (March)
February 1, 2023 – Durham Digest: Stay aBreast (February)
January 4, 2023 – Durham Digest: Stay aBreast (January)
December 7, 2022 – Durham Digest: Stay aBreast (December)
November 16, 2022 – Breastfeed Durham Special Edition: Gratitude
November 2, 2022 – Durham Digest: Stay aBreast (November)
October 26, 2022 – Breastfeeding Friendly Childcare Video One
October 5, 2022 – Durham Digest: Stay aBreast (October)

Objective 6: Develop New Printed Materials

Develop 4 new printed resources containing culturally appropriate information on breastfeeding and available resources, to be targeted at populations of interest.

View our new printed resources: https://marketplace.mimeo.com/breastfeedingcommunities

Objective 7 & 8. Assisted with DCoDPH policy development

Participate in the breastfeeding policy development group and provide input on the development of a breastfeeding policy for patients and the public at DCoDPH as needed. Provide technical assistance to DCoDPH staff, community health workers, and community stakeholders as needed.

Provided input on the development of a breastfeeding policy for patients and the public at DCoDPH as needed.
Provided technical assistance to DCoDPH staff, community health workers, and community stakeholders as needed.

Breastfeed Durham has been working collaboratively with Shakeya Brevard, the Durham ICO4MCH public health education specialist, and Andrea Chicas, a community health worker, to develop the 2023-2033 Durham County Department of Public Health Human Milk Feeding Strategic Plan. The purpose of this plan is to establish a roadmap for policy, environmental, and systems changes to increase breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity in the Durham County Department of Public Health. This is particularly crucial as our county has one of the widest racial disparities for both maternal and infant mortality rates.

The Breastfeeding Strategic Plan aims to provide families with the support they need to breastfeed their babies and create an environment that normalizes breastfeeding. The strategies and objectives outlined in the plan are meant to be a blueprint for concrete actions to be taken by the government, healthcare sector, businesses, insurance, education, and the community to promote and support breastfeeding.

One of the key strategies identified in the plan is the establishment of a designated group to manage tasks related to breastfeeding, including policy review, development, staff orientation, and education. This group will also assume a community champion role beyond the provision of direct services by identifying and engaging key stakeholders to identify and help remove structural barriers to chest/breastfeeding within systems, organizations, and the community.

Another strategy is the development of a shared community breastfeeding database system to track infant feeding for community health collective impact efforts. This system will enable stakeholders to monitor and evaluate progress towards the goal of increasing breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity in Durham County.

The plan also proposes the integration of breastfeeding promotion, protection, and support goals into existing community health improvement strategies and health promotion programs. This includes educating public health professionals about the connection between breastfeeding and the numerous health risk reductions across the lifecycle related to each program area. Additionally, the plan advocates for the strengthening of maternal and child health services among our diverse Durham communities.

Other strategies outlined in the plan include encouraging racially and ethnically diverse resources within the community, supporting parents in initiating and maintaining breastfeeding up to 24 months and beyond, and implementing a care coordination system across the prenatal through weaning stages. The plan also calls for the provision of family-centered lactation care that is responsive to the intersectionality of families’ multiple identities, their social determinants of health, and other factors impacting their infant feeding journey.

In conclusion, the Breastfeeding Strategic Plan will be fully developed in partnership with stakeholders and will seek to improve maternal and child health outcomes in Durham County by promoting and supporting breastfeeding. By focusing on policy, environmental, and systems changes, the plan aims to provide families with the support they need to breastfeed their babies while creating an environment that normalizes breastfeeding. The strategies and objectives outlined in the plan provide a roadmap for concrete actions to be taken by various stakeholders in Durham County to increase breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity and to eliminate racial disparities in maternal and infant mortality rates.

Objective 9 & 10: Support Groups

Assist with identifying gaps in breastfeeding support groups. Assist with setting up and providing support to women and families through the formation and publicizing of support groups.

Over the past few months, our team has been working diligently to provide various forms of assistance to support groups and community members in Durham. In October, our team helped set up support groups and publicized them through updates on our website, social media, and newsletter. We identified gaps in breastfeeding support groups and corresponded with new milk banks, helping them connect with families. Our team also engaged in website development, including updating the Breastfeeding Welcome Here page and implementing Google Analytics. In addition, we provided technical assistance to Durham County Department of Public Health staff and community stakeholders, supporting education and advocacy efforts.

In November, our team continued to assist with identifying gaps in breastfeeding support groups, including working with the new Sister Song Care Fund to serve the needs of marginalized communities. We also provided assistance in promoting Black Babies Awareness Month and Native American Heritage Month through our newsletter. We continued our efforts to set up and provide support to women and families through the formation and publicizing of support groups. Our team collaborated with Milestones Pediatric & Maternal Nutrition to establish a new support group in Durham. In January and February of 2023, we facilitated meetings and provided financial assistance to breastfeeding support groups in Durham, including Pro-Lactancia Hispana Coalition, La Leche League, and Black Breastfeeding Coalition. We will continue to identify gaps in breastfeeding support and provide assistance to support groups and community members in the months to come.

At Breastfeed Durham, we are committed to advocating for improved services and access to support for all families, including low-income families, particularly through the Durham County WIC office. We recognize that access to quality breast pumps can be a significant barrier for many families, and we are actively talking with WIC to ensure that families have access to the equipment they need. We believe that every family should have the opportunity to breastfeed their child, regardless of their socioeconomic status, and we will continue to work towards this goal.

Objective 11: Community Action Team (CAT)

Breastfeed Durham elected 2 board members to participate in all Community Action Team (CAT) scheduled meetings, updates, and trainings.
- Bernadette Greene and Love Anderson were elected to participate in the community action team.

Breastfeed Durham’s participation in the Community Action Team (CAT) included two board members, Bernadette Greene and Love Anderson, who attended all scheduled meetings, updates, and trainings. The team met twice during the funding cycle and comprised community advocates from various organizations, including Lincoln Community Center, members of the Durham County Department of Public health, Family Connects, and Welcome Baby. The CAT aimed to promote community engagement and address health disparities by developing and implementing initiatives that prioritize breastfeeding and support families with young children. The participation of Breastfeed Durham’s board members in the CAT reflects the organization’s commitment to collaborating with community partners to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

Objective 12: Distributed promotional and educational materials

Click here to view our full list of monthly digital updates.
Distributed over 3,000 Rack Cards, flyers, and brochures
Average 1,500 views per month of the digital resources on the webpage

Breastfeed Durham distributed promotional and educational materials both visually and in person. We also utilized social media. The organization succeeded in reaching this objective by distributing over 3,000 Rack Cards, flyers, and brochures, as well as by averaging 1,500 views per month of the digital resources on the webpage.

To accomplish this, Breastfeed Durham’s team members Bernadette, Love Anderson, Karley Marie Tesmer, and our team of volunteers worked together to distribute materials through various events and outreach programs. Bernadette handed out rack cards to parents and businesses. She distributed cards in the community, while also going door to door in different communities to talk about being breastfeed-friendly. She followed up with outreach work in the 8 neighborhoods and shared breastfeeding information with people of reproductive age. Bernadette also gathered materials for the community evens and left rack cards at the Durham County Library.

Love Anderson also played a significant role in promoting Breastfeed Durham’s materials, from sharing information with breastfeeding and pumping parents to updating educational materials on the website. She also facilitated the creation and distribution of child care videos, shared new LGBTQ+ human milk resources, and promoted the 44th Annual Minority Health Conference to the team. Love share information on lactation support groups, as well as promoted mental health support, and contributed to the distribution of promotional and educational materials.

Karley Marie Tesmer worked to fill gaps in care by promoting information on Native American Heritage and Black Babies Awareness Month. Overall, Breastfeed Durham’s objective of distributing promotional and educational materials was successful, reaching a wide range of people through in-person events and digital platforms.

Objective 13, 14, 15, & 16: Reporting

The Breastfeed Durham Team ensured that all necessary data was tracked, monitored, and recorded on a monthly basis. We understand the importance of this data in measuring program effectiveness, assessing community needs, and improving services.

The Durham County Department of Public Health provided reimbursement for Breastfeed Durham services rendered, tracking and monitoring tools, invoice and expense report templates, and a list specifying all required monthly programmatic data. The Durham County Department of Public Health also provided Breastfeed Durham with 8 blog articles to be featured in the BFD newsletters.

We are thrilled to celebrate the success of our partnership with the Durham County Department of Public Health and the completion of the ICO4MCH breastfeeding scope of work. We are grateful for the opportunity to improve birth outcomes, reduce infant mortality, and improve the health status of children ages birth to five in Durham County through evidence-based strategies and collaborative efforts.

Thank you!

In alignment with the mission and vision of the NC ICO4MCH funding and with the financial assistance of DCoDPH, the tireless efforts of Breastfeed Durham staff/volunteers, the generous financial support as business owner themselves, and additional funding from donors like you, we’re able to leverage the DCoDPH funding to surpass minimum requirements of the scope of work.