Join us for our next coalition meeting on April 3, 2023 at 11 am! If you haven’t heard we have renamed the group to the Tea & Milk Coalition. We have expanded our mission to reach not only Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) families, but also Middle Eastern and Refugee families in the area. By expanding our reach, we hope that more connections and partnerships can be built to support lactating people and promote breastfeeding. During this upcoming meeting, we will focus on finalizing the printed resource card and continue to build on the existing resources list. Please join us in our mission to strengthen resources that support breastfeeding/infant feeding in diverse communities in the area!
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/96353000208?pwd=NHF2dDZnbWpwZkpaVXpHZDBCRDBGdz09
Mission Statement
The Tea and Milk Coalition is dedicated to promoting and supporting optimal breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk feeding in diverse communities in North Carolina, with a particular focus on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and Refugee families. Our mission is to provide culturally sensitive and inclusive support to all families, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. We strive to create a community where breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk feeding are normalized and supported, and where every family has access to the information, resources, and support they need to make informed decisions about infant feeding.
Vision Statement
Our vision is for all families in North Carolina to have access to the support they need to successfully breastfeed, chestfeed, or provide human milk to their infants, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. We envision a community that is inclusive and culturally sensitive, where every family feels supported and empowered to make informed decisions about infant feeding. We aim to create a breastfeeding-friendly environment that promotes the optimal health and well-being of all families and communities.
Goals
- Durham health leadership will have breastfeeding policy that is inclusive and culturally sensitive, and that is routinely communicated to all staff.
- Train all staff in the skills necessary to implement this policy in a culturally sensitive manner, with a focus on racially concordant care.
- Inform all pregnant families, particularly those from Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and Refugee communities, about the benefits and management of breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk feeding, and provide them with access to culturally sensitive and inclusive support resources.
- Support families in initiating breastfeeding, chestfeeding, or human milk feeding within one hour of birth, with a focus on culturally sensitive practices that promote infant feeding.
- Foster the establishment of culturally sensitive and inclusive breastfeeding support groups and resources that are tailored to meet the unique needs of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and Refugee families.
- Increase awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk feeding in diverse communities in North Carolina, with a particular focus on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and Refugee families.
- Advocate for policies and practices that support and protect breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk feeding in all community settings, with a focus on culturally sensitive and inclusive practices that promote racially concordant care.
- Provide education and training to healthcare professionals, employers, and community members on breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk feeding, with a focus on culturally sensitive practices that promote optimal infant feeding and bonding.
- Promote culturally sensitive and inclusive support for all families, particularly those from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTQ+.