The Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community Designation (BFFCD) initiative began in 2014 with a request from the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) to the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute (CGBI) to expand on Step 10 of the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative Ten steps to successful breastfeeding. BFFCD initiative developed a community breastfeeding program that can be used to strengthen breastfeeding support and normalization.
2015
The Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities (BFFC) initiative was launched in 2015 in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, North Carolina (NC), with the support and coordinated efforts of a representative team from the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute (CGBI), the Chapel Hill Rotary Club, the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill, La Leche League of Chapel Hill, and the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, and later expanded to include the Orange County Health Department, Inter-Faith Council for Social Service, North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition and others in and around the area. Read More
2018
In Durham, NC, the BFFC initiative began in 2018 with the combined efforts of representatives from the Durham Women’s Council, Family Connects Durham, and La Leche League of Durham. The initiative is growing. Currently, the BFFC team consists of representatives from Durham Women’s Council, Family Connects Durham, La Leche League of Durham, Mom’s Rising, and Duke University Health System (DUSH). Read More
2019
The Ten Steps initiative began to expand across North Carolina. In 2019, Buncombe County and Asheville proclaimed their commitment to building a welcoming community.
2020
In 2020, with the enthusiasm and vision of new partners, the initiative in Chapel Hill and Carrboro grew to include communities in the entire county. To further support the initiative, Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities incorporated in May, 2020, and was awarded 501c3 status in October, 2020.
2021
In 2021, we expanded beyond North Carolina to Indiana and Pennsylvania. At that time, Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities was providing ongoing technical assistance and support to active communities in four states and 10 communities and had provided preliminary support to additional communities to explore the Ten Steps.
Present
Currently, we provide 3-5 hours of free technical assistance to emerging communities and will contract with you for additional technical support. See the growing list of communities.