As the festive season of December wraps us in its magical embrace, we recognize that for many lactating parents and community advocates, it also brings unique pressures and challenges. We are immensely grateful to the Breastfeed Durham community for your continued support and passion for creating a supportive environment for breastfeeding families. We couldn’t do this without you. 

As we wrap up the year, we have an important ask of our community. In partnership with the Durham Department of Public Health, we have drafted a comprehensive Human Milk Feeding Strategic Plan aimed at improving the health and well-being of families across Durham. This plan outlines our shared vision for supporting breastfeeding and human milk feeding in our community, with the goal of making Durham a place where every family feels supported in their feeding journey. We need your feedback.

As we wind down and look to the upcoming year, we look forward to continuously making change and supporting families. In particular, we are looking forward to:

• Shopping at our local Breastfeeding Family Friendly Businesses during this holiday season. Durham’s breastfeeding-friendly businesses and organizations play a huge role in normalizing breastfeeding in our community.
• The 2025 Breastfeed Durham Gala to celebrate, connect, and engage with leaders and pioneers in the lactation support field while raising funds for Breastfeed Durham's Lactation Fund on February 28th!

 Your support helps sustain a community that values and nurtures breastfeeding families. Together, let's make this a time of joy, support, and community spirit!

• The Durham County Department of Public Health is currently seeking applicants for a Bilingual (Spanish/English) Hybrid Community Health Worker to support the Improving Community Outcomes for Maternal and Child Health (ICO4MCH) initiative. The position will be 20 hours/week, $20/hour, and is funded through at least May 31, 2026. 
• Durham County is seeking a Public Health Nurse Specialist with an RN IBCLC certification! This position functions as a Public Health Nurse Specialist (PHNS) in the MH clinic at DCoDPH, with a focus on lactation education and counseling to patients of the WHP. The PHNS provides obstetrical/maternal health services, works closely with DCoDPH staff in the Division of Health Education on breastfeeding-related efforts, and coordinates the use of a public lactation room within the facility.