First Responders

Breastfeeding Friendly First Responders – Franklin County

Please review and share the following information to help Franklin County become recognized for its commitment to supporting breastfeeding families in times of need.
When you’re done, email Breastfeed Franklin to receive your digital certificate of completion!

Know the Law: Breastfeeding Is Protected

Breastfeeding in Public Is Legal
North Carolina law protects a parent’s right to breastfeed in any public or private location they are authorized to be. This includes law enforcement, emergency shelters, and other response settings.

➡️ Read N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-190.9 (1993)

First Responders Play a Role in Infant Health

Breastfeeding improves health outcomes for infants and families. Human milk reduces illness and hospitalization, strengthens immunity, and lowers healthcare costs. As a first responder, promoting breastfeeding and understanding its significance during emergencies helps protect our most vulnerable community members.

Breastfeeding During Emergencies Saves Lives

Emergencies—whether personal, environmental, or public health-related—can disrupt infant feeding and increase health risks. Breastfeeding provides a safe, accessible, and nutritionally complete food source for infants, even when power, water, and formula are unavailable or unsafe.

In Emergencies:

  • Breastmilk is sterile, portable, and always at the right temperature.
  • It prevents diarrhea and infections, which are common in disasters.
  • It provides stress-reducing hormones for both parent and child.
  • It requires no clean water, refrigeration, or electricity.

➡️ Watch: Save the Children USA – Breastfeeding During Emergencies

Breastfeeding Support Checklist

If you are a first responder or emergency worker, keep these resources ready:

Your Role: Creating a Safe Environment

✅ Keep Families Together

  • Keep parents and infants together whenever possible.

✅ Offer a Quiet Space

  • Set up safe, private areas for breastfeeding and reassure families that it is safe and encouraged to continue.

✅ Prioritize Lactating Parents

  • Ensure they have access to food, clean water, and emotional support.
  • Refer to lactation consultants or peer supporters as needed.

✅ Clean Feeding Items Safely

  • Provide disposable cups.
  • If clean water is available, ensure access to soap, brushes, and drying racks.
  • Avoid powdered formula unless it’s the only safe option for a non-breastfed infant.

What Not to Do

  • ⚠️ Avoid distributing powdered formula unless absolutely necessary.
  • ⚠️ Avoid giving breast pumps unless parents have consistent power and a way to sterilize parts.
  • ⚠️ Don’t separate breastfeeding parents from their children unless medically necessary.

Training and Local Resources

Through a partnership with the Franklin County Department of Public Health, Breastfeed Franklin offers education, technical assistance, and community outreach to make the county more supportive of breastfeeding.

You can also explore:

Recovery Resources

Resources for Families

Talking with Children

🎉 Congratulations, Breastfeeding Friendly First Responders!

Thank you for doing your part.
Once you’ve completed this training, email to receive your digital certificate of completion from Breastfeed Franklin.

Let’s make Franklin County a leader in family-centered emergency response.