Elevating Child Care in Durham: A Call to Action for Breastfeeding Support

Welcome to our latest initiative aimed at supporting child care programs, so that they can create lactation friendly environments. We are asking child care providers to participate in a critical survey designed to assess and enhance lactation support across the county’s child care facilities. This effort is not just about meeting a requirement but about making a significant impact in the lives of families, educators, and children. The survey is available here, and we encourage all child care providers in Durham County to participate before the deadline on June 10, 2024.

Why Your Participation Matters

Breastfeeding is a foundational practice that supports the health, well-being, and development of infants and young children. Beyond its nutritional benefits, breastfeeding plays a crucial role in forming strong emotional bonds between parents and their babies. However, the journey of breastfeeding can be filled with challenges, especially for working parents who rely on child care programs.

By participating in the Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Provider Survey, you are stepping into a vital role in supporting lactating parents and promoting a culture that sees breastfeeding as the norm. Your insights and experiences are crucial to identifying strengths, gaps, and opportunities for making our child care facilities more supportive of breastfeeding families.

Survey Highlights and Incentives

The survey asks for detailed information about your child care program, including:

  • The number of staff and students
  • Facilities and policies supporting lactating parents and employees
  • Educational materials and activities that normalize breastfeeding
  • Support provided to lactating employees

In appreciation of your time and input, participants can choose from various thank-you gifts, such as free training, toys/games, books, posters, and assistance in setting up lactation spaces, among others. This token of appreciation is a small part of our commitment to ensuring that every child care provider in Durham has the resources and support to foster a breastfeeding-friendly environment.

The Impact of Your Contribution

Your feedback will directly influence the development of initiatives and resources aimed at supporting breastfeeding in child care settings. It will help us identify the current state of support, the challenges child care providers face, and the best practices that can be shared and implemented across the county. By completing this survey, you are contributing to a larger movement towards making Durham a model community for breastfeeding support, with benefits extending to the health and happiness of children and families.

Thank You for Your Support

We recognize and appreciate the critical role child care providers play in the lives of children and families. Your participation in this survey is a valuable step towards creating a nurturing, supportive environment for all families in Durham. Together, we can ensure that breastfeeding is not only supported but celebrated as a key component of early childhood care and education.

Thank you for joining us in this important effort. Let’s make Durham a leading example of a breastfeeding-friendly community, where every family feels supported and every child thrives.