Breastfeed Durham has achieved a great deal over the past five years as we work to normalize breast, chest, and human milk feeding throughout the Durham community. The co-founders of Breastfeed Durham sat down for their very first cup of coffee five years ago. Little did they know that their project would grow to be so successful. Breastfeed Durham has gone from having only two members to having over 1200 members today.
Through its educational programs and support groups, Breastfeed Durham has provided countless families with the tools and resources they need to overcome the challenges of breastfeeding and establish a successful breastfeeding relationship with their infants. Breastfeed Durham has also worked tirelessly to remove the stigma surrounding breastfeeding in public, making it more acceptable and commonplace for families to breastfeed in public spaces.
Breastfeed Durham has been active in advocating for policy changes that promote breastfeeding-friendly environments. For example, Breastfeed Durham has successfully lobbied for more lactation rooms in public spaces and workplaces, as well as for legislation that protects a family’s right to breastfeed in public.
Another significant accomplishment of Breastfeed Durham has been its outreach efforts to affinity groups and non-BIPOC communities. Through partnerships with community organizations and big system organizations, Breastfeed Durham has provided education and support to families who may not have had access to these resources otherwise. We are addressing disparities in breastfeeding rates and ensuring that all families, regardless of status, have access to the benefits of breastfeeding.
Breastfeed Durham has also been a leader in promoting breastfeeding-friendly workplaces. Breastfeed Durham has worked with local businesses to establish lactation rooms and provide support for breastfeeding employees, creating a more supportive work environment for families and encouraging more parents to continue breastfeeding after returning to work.
Finally, Breastfeed Durham has been a driving force behind the annual World Breastfeeding Week celebration in Durham. This week-long event is aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and promoting breastfeeding-friendly communities. Breastfeed Durham’s efforts have helped to make this event a huge success and a major highlight of the local community calendar, bringing families together to celebrate the joys of breastfeeding.
Breastfeed Durham continues to be a driving force for positive change in the community. One of the organization’s ongoing efforts is advocating for both Duke Regional and Big Duke hospitals to become Baby-Friendly facilities. This means that the hospitals would promote and support breastfeeding as the best way to feed infants. Breastfeed Durham also continues to advocate for at least one breastfeeding-friendly clinic in Durham, and for the Durham County Department of Public Health to create a 10-year strategic plan to embed lactation support across all departments. Breastfeed Durham is thrilled to see progress on this front, with the strategic plan expected to be completed within the next year.
Breastfeed Durham was excited to learn that Duke Regional hopes to complete the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative within the next year. Additionally, Breastfeed Durham continues to advocate for the WIC Office to be fully staffed and receive the funding it needs to be successful. We are looking for opportunities to support low-income patients in the community through partnerships with Lincoln Community Health Center.
Breastfeed Durham is proud to celebrate the first accredited breastfeeding-friendly child care center in Durham, along with over 80 breastfeeding-friendly community partners. Breastfeed Durham is also grateful for the county’s commitment to funding Breastfeed Durham’s efforts to install 40 “Breastfeeding Welcome Here” signs in Durham over the next 18 months.
In addition to its advocacy work, Breastfeed Durham also engages with healthcare providers to ensure they have the strongest and most robust information on Durham’s breastfeeding families. Breastfeed Durham continues to work with Durham County Library to ensure that breastfeeding families are celebrated in every library in Durham, and with Durham Public Schools to support lactating teachers and students.
Breastfeed Durham continues to work tirelessly to promote breastfeeding-friendly policies and environments in Durham. Through its ongoing advocacy work and partnerships with community organizations, Breastfeed Durham is helping to ensure that all families in Durham have access to the resources and support they need to succeed.
We have achieved a great deal over the past five years, promoting the benefits of breastfeeding for families, advocating for policy changes, and providing education and support to families. These efforts have had a significant impact on the Durham community and beyond. We are proud of the success that Breastfeed Durham has achieved with your support. We celebrate, while remaining mindful that families in our community are continuing to need more support. We are excited about the opportunity to continue to grow and change in the years to come.
Thank you for the work you do to create health equity in Durham.
At Breastfeed Durham, the work we do is made possible by generous donors. Please consider donating to support Breastfeed Durham’s ongoing work of advocating for breastfeeding family friendly communities.
Celebrating Five Years
