August is National Breastfeeding Month! It is a time to celebrate and to raise awareness about the importance of protecting, promoting, and supporting lactation for healthy babies, families, and communities. We all have a role in supporting our lactating families as they dine, shop, work, learn, play, or simply relax in our community.
It also is the perfect time for Breastfeed Orange NC to recognize and thank our Towns – Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough – our schools, and all the businesses and organizations that have stepped up to become Community Partners and Employers!
Why are Community Partners important?
Breastfeeding and human milk feeding provide optimal growth and development for our youngest community members. While most parents initiate breastfeeding in the hospital, too many stop in the early weeks or months because they are not sure about feeding their babies “in public” in the community. Nursing parents are looking for businesses and organizations that are breastfeeding and chestfeeding friendly and will not ask the parents to leave or move or cover up. Becoming a Community Partner is an important way to show your welcome and support for nursing families.
Employers have an Important Role too!
The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act (“PUMP” Act) is an exciting opportunity for businesses and organizations to support their lactating employees. Many employees and students want to continue breastfeeding and providing human milk for the babies after they return to work or school, and the PUMP Act includes important ways for employers to support their employees to be able to do that. Breastfeed Orange NC can provide resources and assistance to help you get started. Even before the 2022 PUMP Act, many companies were providing lactation support programs as part of their family friendly benefits policies. They learned that lactation support can produce a 3 to 1 return on investment through:
- Lower health care costs.
- Fewer missed days of work to care for sick children.
- Lower turnover rates.
- Improved employee productivity and loyalty.
Call for Applications!
If you haven’t already applied for the Community Partner and Employer Award, Breastfeed Orange NC invites you to show your commitment to lactating families in our community by completing the online application (https://bit.ly/CommunityPartnerEmployerAward / https://bit.ly/PremioSocioComunitarioEmpleador) or contacting the Breastfeed Orange NC team for more information (orangenc@breastfeedingcommunities.org).
Next steps?
- Check out the growing list of businesses and organizations in Orange County at https://breastfeedorangenc.org/finding-businesses/
- Complete the award application at https://bit.ly/CommunityPartnerEmployerAward or https://bit.ly/PremioSocioComunitarioEmpleador to add your name to the list.
- If you have any questions, please reach out to the Breastfeed Orange NC team for more information at orangenc@breastfeedingcommunities.org.
Thank You!
Our Towns, Schools, Community Partners, and Employers demonstrate so well the 2024 National Breastfeeding Month theme – Nourish, Sustain, Thrive!
We are grateful for their welcome and support for lactating families in our community! They “make the world a little more friendly for new parents and families.” (US Breastfeeding Committee, National Breastfeeding Month 2024)
