Breastfeeding Communities

Step 8.4 in Action: Bringing Lactation Support to Store Shelves Across Durham

Advocacy, Breastfeeding Communities, News /

“All non-locally controlled groceries, food markets, convenience stores, and pharmacies are encouraged to display lactation support information near infant formula/foods and to prevent local advertising of formula. This information may not be provided by the formula industry.”— Step 8.4, Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community Why Step 8.4 Matters Infant feeding choices are shaped

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This Cling Means Something”: Uplifting Families, One Business at a Time

Advocacy, Breastfeeding Communities /

By Janiah Fladger, MPH CandidateUNC Gillings School of Global Public HealthField Placement with Breastfeed Durham, Summer 2025 This summer, I spent ten weeks knocking on business doors, managing spreadsheets, tabling at community events, and having deep, unexpected conversations about breastfeeding. As the Recruitment Coordinator for Breastfeed Durham’s Breastfeeding-Friendly Business Awards, I didn’t just help local businesses apply

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Perinatal Mood Support and Lactation: Building Villages of Care

Advocacy, Breastfeeding Communities, News, Parent Information, Providers, Racial Equity /

In August, Breastfeed Durham partnered with Piedmont AHEC to host a powerful session in our First Food Equity Series—this one centered on the deep connection between perinatal mood support and lactation. The conversation, led by Bernadette Greene, Executive Director of Breastfeed Durham, and Kimberly D. Harper, RN, MPH of UNC’s Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health, brought together research,

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Ten Steps in Action: A Whole-Community Approach

Breastfeeding Communities, News /

Editor’s note (September 2026): This June 2025 post celebrates a peer Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community (Carrboro), not Durham; it is kept here as part of the record. On June 17th, we joined Breastfeed Orange NC in celebrating Carrboro, North Carolina, becoming the first community to officially complete all Ten Steps required to be designated as

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North Carolina Central University’s Commitment to Breastfeeding Families

Advocacy, Breastfeeding Communities, Family Matters Durham, News, Parent Information /

Over the past year, our relationship with North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has been one of steady growth, partnership, and mutual learning. From completing the Breastfeeding Welcome Here Community Partner Award to inviting Breastfeed Durham to campus events and health fairs, NCCU has taken meaningful steps to demonstrate its commitment to breastfeeding families—students, staff, and

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A Community Call to Close the Gaps in Lactation Support

Advocacy, Breastfeeding Communities, News /

At Durham’s 2025 First Food Equity Series, community members issued a clear call to action: Let’s not wait for perfect systems—let’s each do one thing this year to fill the gaps in care. Below is a shared roadmap drawn from that call, reflecting what our neighbors said they need and what we can do together. This year’s

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Progress in Breast Pump Access: A Win for Families

News, Advocacy, Breastfeeding Communities, Parent Information /

At Breastfeed Durham, we are thrilled to share some encouraging news that reflects meaningful progress in our ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to breastfeeding support. Julie Ghurtskaia, Vice President of Population Health at Carolina Complete Health, recently shared an exciting update: Carolina Complete Health now offers streamlined access to breast pumps for members—no prior authorization

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Durham Public Schools Achieves Step 10 of a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community

Advocacy, Breastfeeding Communities, News /

Durham Public Schools (DPS) has officially met Step 10 of the Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities initiative! This milestone ensures that breastfeeding education is integrated into community-wide curricula, helping to normalize human lactation and empower future generations with essential knowledge and support. The Journey to Step 10: Breastfeeding Friendly Education in our K-12 Schools Breastfeed Durham

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Community Choice Award

Community Choice Award

Advocacy, Breastfeeding Communities, News, Parent Information, Providers /

Introducing the Community Choice Award: Celebrating Quiet Champions of Lactation Equity At Breastfeed Durham, we believe that supporting breastfeeding, chest feeding, and human milk feeding families is everyone’s job. And yet, we know that institutional barriers—bureaucracy, red tape, and even internal politics—can sometimes prevent organizations from formally participating in recognition programs like our Breastfeeding Welcome

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Durham Tech’s Journey Toward Becoming a Breastfeeding-Friendly Campus

Advocacy, Breastfeeding Communities, News /

Durham Technical Community College is making significant strides toward becoming a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community (BFFC) Partner. While they have not yet met all the criteria for full designation, the institution has taken important steps to support lactating students, staff, and faculty. Their ongoing efforts demonstrate a commitment to normalizing, promoting, and celebrating breastfeeding and chestfeeding on campus.

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