(Madison County, NY – Aug. 2015) The Madison County Healthy Start Partnership, led by the Madison County Health Department, is celebrating World Breastfeeding Week, Aug. 1 through 7 with a special event on Friday Aug. 7.
This year’s theme, “Breastfeeding and Work: Let’s Make it Work!” stresses the importance of supporting working women in breastfeeding. Making the workplace breastfeeding or family-friendly by providing support with a little extra break time and a private space to express their milk is a temporary need that can help breastfeeding mothers reach their infant feeding goals.
Breastfeeding Connections, a baby weigh station located at 607 Seneca Ave. in Oneida, is the site of a special World Breastfeeding Week celebration on Friday, Aug. 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. New or expectant moms and their young children and guests are invited to attend. Lunch, mini massages, and goodie bags will be provided by Healthy Start Partnership members, including WIC, Community Action Partnership, Oneida Healthcare, Child Care Council of Cornell Cooperative Extension, and Madison County Health Department.
Breastfeeding Connections is a comfortable place for breastfeeding and pregnant families to get professional breastfeeding support, check baby’s weight and milk intake, and connect to community resources.
Breastfeeding Connections is open on Monday’s from 4 to 7 p.m. and Friday’s from 1 to 3 p.m. Call 315-361-2065 to make an appointment. The first and third Friday of the month includes a café from 1 to 3 p.m. with a light lunch served. No appointment is necessary for the café. Simply drop by to talk with other moms or get your questions answered by lactation helpers.
“Moms need support from their family and community to reach their goals in breastfeeding their baby. Their work family is just as important as their home family, and this is why it is critical for employers to support their employees in the workplace,” says Cheryl Geiler with Madison County Health Department and Chair of the Healthy Start Partnership. “Join us in celebrating World Breastfeeding Week.”
For more information on World Breastfeeding Week, visit http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/. For more information on Breastfeeding Connections or helping your worksite become breastfeeding-friendly, call the Madison County Health Department at 315-366-2848 or visit www.healthymadisoncounty.org.