As we look back on the past year, it’s inspiring to reflect on the strides we’ve made in Durham County to support breastfeeding families and promote health equity. From July 2023 to May 2024, Breastfeed Durham (BFD) and the Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) have collaborated under the Improving Community Outcomes for Maternal and Child Health (ICO4MCH) initiative to improve birth outcomes, reduce infant mortality, and enhance the health of children from birth to five years old.
Celebrating Our Achievements
Training and Educating Healthcare Providers
Our journey began with a focus on supporting healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills necessary to support lactating families. Over the reporting period, we conducted six comprehensive training sessions that reached 118 healthcare system providers and 108 community healthcare providers. These sessions covered essential topics, including navigating the healthcare system, integrating peer support into provider-led groups, celebrating National Breastfeeding Month, addressing infant mortality, and enhancing provider-patient communication in women’s health. Each training emphasized the importance of culturally sensitive breastfeeding support, equipping providers to better serve our diverse community.
Engaging the Community Through Workshops
In partnership with a variety of community organizations, Breastfeed Durham facilitated 14 impactful workshops, engaging 357 residents across Durham County. These workshops provided a platform for residents to learn about breastfeeding resources, legal rights, and support systems. Events such as “Live, Love, Latch!,” “Titty Talk – The Pump Act and Going Back to Work,” and “Beer, Barbecue, and Babies: A Father’s Role in Lactation” highlighted the importance of community and family support in breastfeeding journeys. These gatherings fostered a sense of belonging and empowerment, encouraging more families to initiate and sustain breastfeeding.
Promoting Breastfeeding Through Educational Events
We coordinated and/or participated in 25 educational events to promote culturally and linguistically appropriate breastfeeding education. Notable events included the Black Maternal Health Week celebrations, the Queer Family Planning Festival, and the 1st Annual MILK Conference. These events served as vital platforms for education, support, and celebration, reaching a broad audience and fostering a supportive community environment.
Community Action and Strategic Planning
Breastfeed Durham representatives actively participated in Community Action Team (CAT) meetings, contributing to strategic discussions and planning for breastfeeding initiatives. The implementation of the Breastfeeding Health Equity Impact Assessment involved identifying barriers and opportunities to promote health equity in breastfeeding support. These collaborative efforts helped shape policies and practices aimed at better supporting breastfeeding families, with a strong focus on equity and inclusivity.
Broadening Our Reach with Newsletters
Our newsletters have been a cornerstone of our communication strategy, keeping the community informed and engaged. We produced and disseminated 21 newsletters, reaching over 28,454 recipients and achieving 9,913 opens. These newsletters provided valuable information on events, resources, and updates, fostering a connected and informed community.
Distributing Essential Breastfeeding Tools
Understanding the importance of having the right tools for breastfeeding, we distributed 43 breast pumps to families in need. This was made possible through funding from the ICO4MCH initiative and community-based donations. This initiative was part of our broader effort to remove barriers to breastfeeding and promote health equity within our community.
Key Metrics
- Trainings Conducted: 6 virtual/in-person trainings reaching 118 healthcare system providers and 108 community healthcare providers
- Workshops Conducted: 14 workshops reaching 357 Durham County residents.
- Educational Events Coordinated: 25 educational events promoting culturally and linguistically appropriate education.
- Community Action (CAT) Participation: 3 representatives participated in scheduled meetings, updates, and trainings.
- Breastfeeding Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA): 4 members participated in the implementation.
- Breastfeeding Strategic Plan Subgroup Participation: Finalized the strategic plan and hosted an intersectional community based meeting to gather final feedback.
- Technical Assistance Provided: Coordination of a breastfeeding needs assessment on clients visiting the Health & Human Services building.
- Newsletters Disseminated: 21 newsletters sent to a total of 28,454 recipients with 9,913 opens.
- Breast Pumps Distributed: 43 breast pumps distributed.