Breastfeed Durham is thrilled to share new NIH-funded study led by Dr. Aunchalee Palmquist and her team at Duke and UNCG. This intervention trial aims to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates and reduce infants’ risk of childhood overweight and metabolic disorders within the Spanish-speaking immigrant and refugee communities in Greensboro, NC.
Two Key Opportunities for You to Get Involved:
- Peer Counselors Needed: The study is seeking two bilingual (Spanish-English) women from the Latine community to become home-visiting breastfeeding peer counselors. This paid, part-time position (~20 hours per week) offers training through Alimentación Segura Infantil’s online peer counseling program (in Spanish), supplemented with in-person mentorship and practical experience in North Carolina. If you know someone who is passionate about maternal and child health, has breastfed a baby, and would love to gain training as a peer counselor, please encourage them to apply!
- Bilingual IBCLCs: The study is also building a roster of bilingual (Spanish-English) International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) to provide specialized care when needed. Stipends are available for a limited number of IBCLC consultations. If you are an IBCLC and would like to join this important work, or know others who might be interested, please reach out.
The goal is to recruit peer counselors this fall and begin recruiting pregnant women in January 2025.
To learn more or get involved, please contact Dr. Palmquist at a.palmquist@duke.edu. Together, we can help support families on their breastfeeding journey!
By offering professional development opportunities and specialized care, this study aligns with Breastfeed Durham’s mission to create breastfeeding-friendly communities for everyone. Let’s continue to make a difference!