Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week — August 15–21, 2026Theme: Better Data, Better Care for AANHPI Families The acronym says Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander. Geographically, that is an enormous part of the planet. Iran is in Asia. India is in Asia. Pakistan is in Asia. So are Samoa and […]
Who Disappears Inside the Data? Read More »
2024 marked a historic low for infant deaths in Durham County—this year, we celebrate The Numbers That Change Everything TWELVE. That’s how many families in Durham County grieved the loss of an infant in 2024. Down from THIRTY-TWO families in 2019. Durham County achieved a 62.3% reduction in infant mortality—from 7.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in
A 62.3% Reduction in Durham’s Infant Mortality Read More »
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,
Perinatal Mood Support and Lactation: Building Villages of Care Read More »
Black August in the Park is one of the most powerful community celebrations in Durham — and this year marks the 10th anniversary of honoring Black liberation, joy, and resistance. We’re calling on the Breastfeed Durham family to show up strong!Wear your Breastfeed Durham shirts and connect with other families, friends, and breastfeeding advocates as we celebrate Black
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On February 28, 2025, during Breastfeed Durham’s annual Breastfeeding Symposium and Networking Event, Director Jenkins of the Durham County Department of Public Health officially signed the Human Milk Feeding Strategic Plan into action — marking a powerful milestone for lactation equity in our community. This 10-year plan lays out bold goals to improve support for
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Every year during Black Maternal Health Week, we are called to remember the mothers and babies we’ve lost—and to take action to protect the ones we still have. We live and work in Durham, North Carolina—the so-called “City of Medicine.” But despite our proximity to world-class medical institutions, Black families here face an alarming and
When a Health System Says “No” to Lactation Equity Read More »
Minority Health Month is a time to reflect on the systemic inequities that affect health outcomes in communities of color. One of the most pressing yet often overlooked aspects of maternal and infant health is the ability of parents to meet their infant feeding goals—whether through breastfeeding, combination feeding, or formula feeding. The disparities in
We’re always excited to uplift the incredible work of Equity Before Birth, an organization dedicated to improving birth experiences and saving the lives of Black & Brown mamas and babies! Check out their upcoming events and opportunities: 🎉 Calling All Sponsors! Support Black Maternal Health Week 2025 by sponsoring Equity Before Birth’s Dance Party Fundraiser! Your contribution helps sustain their lifesaving
Shoutout to Our Partners at Equity Before Birth! Read More »
As parental health professionals, data enthusiasts, and advocates for health equity, we understand the power of accessible, well-organized data to drive informed decisions. North Carolina’s new Maternal and Infant Health Data Dashboard is a game-changer in this space, offering critical insights into maternal and infant health trends across the state. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, policymaker, or
The latest March of Dimes report for 2024 highlights concerning trends for Durham, showing a rise in preterm birth rates, now at 10.9% with a grade of D, up from 10.4%. This slight increase signals that challenges remain, despite significant breastfeeding and maternal health initiatives in the area. View the full North Carolina report below. Possible Factors Contributing
2024 March of Dimes Report Card Read More »
