BREASTFEEDING FAMILY FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES (BFFC)
Advancing Our Agenda
WHAT IS THE BFFC DESIGNATION?
The BFFC Designation is a program designed to complement the Global Revised, Updated and Expanded Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative. The designation is granted by the BFFC Designating Group, based on recommendations and support from the BFFC Team.
The first step Elizabeth City has chosen to take is to involve business and community partners in demonstrating support of all breastfeeding families within their establishment. This is done so by publicly committing to support breastfeeding parents and children, providing a welcoming atmosphere for breastfeeding, respecting the nourishment of a child and never asking them to leave, cover up, or move during a feed, and ensuring all members who represent the establishment fulfill these requirements.
HISTORY OF BFFC
The Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities (BFFC) initiative began in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, North Carolina (NC), with the support and coordinated efforts of a representative team from the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute (CGBI), the Chapel Hill Rotary Club, the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill, La Leche League of Chapel Hill, and the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, and later expanded to include the Orange County Health Department, Inter-Faith Council for Social Service, North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition and others in and around the area.
In Elizabeth City, the BFFC initiative began with the support and combined efforts of Le Leche League of Elizabeth City, Sentara Albemarle Medical Center, Outerbanks Breastfeeding Bistro, and the Albemarle Regional Health Department.
WHY HAVE A DESIGNATION FOR BREASTFEEDING?
Breastfeeding, especially exclusive breastfeeding, is associated with lower rates of obesity, diabetes, infectious diseases, and other child illnesses, as well as less maternal breast and ovarian cancers, diabetes and a faster recovery from childbirth as compared to formula feeding.
Breastfeeding is also associated with overall a better chance for lifelong health and development, as well as better school performance and other achievements. In addition, exclusive breastfeeding has been referred to as “The Great Equalizer”, because (it) “goes a long way toward canceling out the health difference between being born into poverty or being born into affluence” (JP Grant, when UNICEF Executive Director). A breastfeeding family friendly community is a healthier, more welcoming community for young families of all races and ethnicities.
HOW TO APPLY FOR BUSINESS DESIGNATION?
The process is simple - contact Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities of Elizabeth City or through our contact form here, and one our area representatives will walk through the requirements with you. If all criteria are met, you'll be asked to complete a form and submit a small fee for the "Breastfeeding Welcome Here" decal for your establishment to proudly display.