Kicking off National Breastfeeding Month, Breastfeed Durham started the month with the first ever inaugural meeting with the Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) as part of the newest cycle of the Improving Community Outcomes for Maternal and Child Health (ICO4MCH) initiative. Finding consensus between community advocates and public health leadership can be challenging, especially when the needs of the community are so great and funding for public health is always so constrained. On the heels of Duke Regional becoming Durham’s first Baby Friendly Hospital, consensus was found, and Breastfeed Durham was thrilled to map out a strategy for this next funding cycle. With the financial support support of the North Carolina Division of Public Health and DCoDPH, Breastfeed Durham will be able to continue to enhance birth outcomes and improve the wellness of children and families. The ongoing partnership with the Durham County Department of Public Health emphasizes their commitment to nurturing lactating families in the Durham community. What incredible news!
With this new funding Breastfeed Durham was able to host what was called “the most incredible event yet”, sharing stories for Indigenous Milk Medicine Week and meeting with parents and local lactation support providers in a local park to provide trainings on lactation at work. In the coming weeks, Breastfeed Durham will be cohosting a Black Breastfeeding Collective Lunch and Learn with MAAME, Inc. in celebration of Black Breastfeeding Week. Followed by just days later the opportunity to partner with Sistersong on August 27 for the first ever Titty Talk event in North Carolina! We all have a lot to celebrate this year with new rights for pregnant parents and pumping at work. In light of this, Breastfeed Durham and Sistersong are holding space for the Durham community to come together to share their stories and “lay it all out” about breastfeeding, human milk feeding, going back to work, relationships, money, health, family, and more. Holding space for community members to come together and share in a collective manner is critical to building and sustaining communities.
We are also excited to attend the Breastfeeding Summit 2023 hosted by the Wellness Coalition. This year’s virtual Summit will be held online and hosted from Montgomery, Alabama. The Summit will focus on promoting dialogue and expert knowledge about breastfeeding’s benefits, parental rights, and overcoming barriers for breastfeeding families. It’s a unique platform, bringing together professionals and families from all walks of life to share their experiences and insights. Breastfeed Durham’s COO, an ardent advocate for breastfeeding rights and inclusivity, and hard-working board member will join other renowned experts to lead the charge in these significant discussions. Breastfeed Durham’s representation at the Breastfeeding Summit is a testament to Durham’s commitment to supporting breastfeeding families.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Breastfeed Durham community and celebrate the work that the Durham community is doing. Your passion for the work inspires us.