by Rebecca Costello, IBCLC


One year ago, the mayors of Chapel Hill and Carrboro partnered with members of Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, health departments, faith communities, and UNC-Chapel Hill on an initiative to become the first Breastfeeding Family Friendly Cities in the country. One important step is for businesses throughout the community to welcome and support breastfeeding families. They just have to follow 4 simple practices:


1.      Breastfeeding mothers are always welcome and respected. They will never be treated poorly, asked to stop breastfeeding, or asked to cover up or move.
2.      All lactating employees are allowed breaks to express milk or nurse their children, and access to a private space for expressing milk or nursing that is not a bathroom. The space is lockable and shielded from view, includes an electrical outlet, and has hand hygiene available
3.      Business does not advertise infant formula or related products.
4.      Business will post the “Breastfeeding Welcome Here” window cling.
WBWC definitely qualified on all counts, and we were excited to join the other local businesses that have signed up – everything from physical therapy to boutiques to optical shops to restaurants! Above is a photo of Kathleen Anderson, from the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute at UNC, with our executive director Maureen Darcey and with our new window cling. Do you know other businesses in Carrboro/Chapel Hill that might be interested in signing up? Or do you own a business and want to complete a quick and easy application? You can e-mail klanderson@unc.edu for an application.
Get more information at:
 https://www.facebook.com/BreastfeedingFriendlyCommunities/ – like the page to get updates on businesses that have joined