We are thrilled to announce a historic milestone—Carrboro, North Carolina, is the first community to officially complete all Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community! This achievement is the result of years of intentional collaboration between public health partners, healthcare professionals, local businesses, elected officials, and community advocates. Together, Carrboro has created a town where families feel informed, supported, and welcomed at every stage of their breastfeeding journey.
Step 1: Leadership Leads the Way
Carrboro’s elected leaders have publicly and consistently supported breastfeeding through official proclamations and social media campaigns.
Articles in the Daily Tar Heel and Chapelboro.com spotlighted the town’s dedication to lactation equity, and the Town’s Facebook page proudly shared updates to normalize and celebrate breastfeeding in public spaces.
Step 2: A Welcoming Atmosphere for Families
Carrboro proudly displays “Breastfeeding Welcome” signs throughout the Town.
Even first responders have been trained on breastfeeding protections under the law. A Carrboro police officer once happily shared that they see families breastfeeding on the grass across from the station “all the time.” Community welcome, affirmed.
Step 3: Health Leadership Aligns with Best Practice
Carrboro’s healthcare leadership—including UNC Health, Piedmont Health, and the Orange County Health Department—support optimal infant feeding guidelines set by the World Health Organization and UNICEF and have embedded those values into care for local families.
Learn more about the WHO and UNICEF recommendations at https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding
Step 4: Families Are Informed
From the UNC Women’s Health Information Center to El Centro Hispano, families receive non-commercial educational materials that support informed feeding choices. Community partners ensure that these materials are free, accessible, and rooted in science—not sales.
Step 5: Healthcare Providers Support Breastfeeding
Carrboro’s healthcare providers are showing up for families. UNC Hospital is proud to have maintained the Baby-Friendly designation. Our local clinics have shown their support by applying for the NC Breastfeeding Coalition Family Friendly Clinic Award or providing documentation that they offer direct lactation support and refer to trusted community lactation consultants.
Step 6: Lactation Support is Accessible and Coordinated
Community-driven lactation support is thriving. Community collaboration between health systems and community partners, like WIC, to support breastfeeding initiatives is well-documented. In 2024, Carrboro held a public networking event for lactation providers, with more planned, including one at Blackwood Farm Park in summer 2025. These events ensure that providers are not working in isolation—but as part of a coordinated support network.
Community-driven lactation support is thriving. Community collaboration between health systems and community partners, like WIC, to support breastfeeding initiatives is well-documented.
In 2024, Carrboro held a public networking event for lactation providers, with more planned, including one at Blackwood Farm Park in summer 2025. These events ensure that providers are not working in isolation—but as part of a coordinated support network.
Step 7: Businesses Are On Board
Carrboro has officially surpassed the benchmark of one breastfeeding-friendly business for every 500 residents—with 48 businesses and counting. Businesses proudly display signage and are committed to family-friendly policies.
🚫 Step 8: No Marketing of Infant Formula
Carrboro businesses and organizations have shown ational leader in upholding the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes. Local clinics do not promote formula, and local pharmacies and grocers—many of them community partners—have eliminated ads and preferential shelf placement. Volunteers even visited non-local grocery stores to offer breastfeeding resource cards and help set up lactation information displays.
Step 9: Promoting the Business Case for Breastfeeding
Carrboro businesses have access to free resources like the NC Making It Work Toolkit, thanks to outreach by the Carrboro Business Alliance, the Carrboro Economic Development Department, and the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro. These materials help employers understand not just the legal requirements, but the economic and cultural benefits of supporting lactating workers.
📖 Step 10: Educational Systems Work to Normalize Breastfeeding
From preschool to high school, Carrboro’s educational institutions provide books that include and normalize breastfeeding. A recently retired school librarian confirmed that such books remain part of the collection—and was relieved to hear the books weren’t being banned. Local childcare centers also benefit from breastfeeding-positive materials, thanks to partners like the Orange County Partnership for Young Children and Breastfeed Orange NC.
We are so proud of Carrboro.
This achievement is more than a checklist—it’s a testament to what’s possible when a community works together to uplift families. Carrboro’s leadership, passion, and persistence set a powerful example for towns and cities across the country.
To the families of Carrboro: Your community sees you, supports you, and celebrates you.
Congratulations, Carrboro—on leading the way!