“My wife, Julie, didn’t have to sell me on breastfeeding – as a physician, I supported the notion of breastfeeding…she was Gabe’s lifeline. [Her milk] was more precious than gold.”

If you are a health care provider and want to learn more about how you can support breastfeeding, check out our Educational Opportunities.


Dr. William Knaack and children

"The fact that African American babies are two times more likely than white babies to die before their first birthday is perhaps one of the most troubling public health disparities. Our efforts to prevent infant mortality must include promoting breastfeeding."

CGBI has developed "Toolkits" to provide easy access to information you may need to understand and address pressing issues, such as breastfeeding disparities or obesity prevalence.


Barbara Pullen-Smith, MPH, NC DHHS

"I did plenty of research during my pregnancy. Still, if the support had not been there - from the Lactation Consultants and my husband -there's no way I would have succeeded."

International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) are members of the healthcare team that provide support and information about breastfeeding management. To find out how you can become an IBCLC, check out The Mary Rose Tully Training Initiative.


Dr. Tamara Dubowitz and Ezra

“My second birth was a VBAC. I did it…I had a completely intervention free birth. [The doctor] immediately handed her to me and she latched on. She nursed like a champ from day one.”

Skin-to-skin contact is an important practice in which newborns are placed on their mothers' chest without being wrapped or clothed. For information about other practices that support breastfeeding, go to the Breastfeeding-Friendly Healthcare Initiative.


Karen Kast-Hutcheson and children

"People always comment on how content my children are.  I attribute this to breastfeeding and to the way in which it enables me to meet their needs, no matter what time of day or where we happen to be.”

It is critical that we all Take Action! to support breastfeeding and ensure that all mothers are able to meet their goals. You can also support the work of CGBI by Giving to sustain our efforts.

Kelly Armbrust and children

“As immigrant families acculturate to the US, they lose many of their healthy traditions. The Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute’s research, policy development and educational opportunities keep this vital issue on the forefront.”

To find out more about the Institute’s vision, mission and policies, please go to About the Institute. In addition, you can learn about many of our Breastfeeding-Friendly Initiatives.

Norma Escobar, IBCLC, RLC, Civic Leader