Community Chronicle

January 2025

BFFC Implementation Leaders: Collaborative Round Table

Join us later this month at Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities (BFFC) for a collaborative meeting with community leaders from across the country, all working to implement the BFFC designation in their respective cities and towns. This session is exclusively tailored for those spearheading the designation process, offering a platform to exchange ideas, learn from peers, and draw inspiration. With a focus on intimate and productive discussions, we anticipate a relatively small group, ensuring each leader gets ample opportunity to share and connect. This is also a perfect chance to liaise with the BFFC team for additional guidance and support.

January 22, 2025

2:00 PM EST

As day turns into evening on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend—a time for reflection and action as we honor Dr. King’s legacy—we are called to consider the changes we wish to see in the world. As we prepare for Inauguration Day on Monday, it’s also my spouse’s birthday—a personal moment of joy amidst another cold and wet week in the mountains of North Carolina. This time of year encourages us to reflect deeply on how we can prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

While natural disasters continue to affect our communities, we are still reminded daily of the joy found in the midst of this craziness, the resilience of our communities, and the love of family. This moment presents unique opportunities. Through collaboration, we can ensure that families in need receive the support they deserve.

Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies Training

This 3½-day training takes place in Western North Carolina twice a week, now through March 1, 2025. Gain critical skills to support infant and young child feeding during emergencies. Participation is by recommended donation, but cost should never be a barrier. Donate what feels comfortable for your family, or simply join us. If you’re interested, we’d love to see representatives from Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities at the training. When you register, please indicate in the comments if you have the capacity to assist with redistributing infant feeding supplies.

Breastfeeding Friendly Designation

Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities is a community-wide program to impact Health Equity by advocating for policies and practices that support optimal infant feeding. Any municipality or incorporated region may complete the Ten Steps self-appraisal. Work begins when two or more community members come together to lead the community in satisfying the requirements of the Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community.

Is your community interested in beginning the designation process to becoming a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community? Contact us for resources to help your community get started on the journey. Take the first step and fill out our interest form.

Get Started

Using the Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community (Ten Steps), we will provide education, mentorship, and assistance to communities as they work to make changes so that every family that is chest/breastfeeding will be able to do so in a space that is welcoming and supportive of their efforts. With your donation, these communities are able to engage with local businesses, child care centers, and health care providers to support breast/chestfeeding families.

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Together, we can make a difference!