Breastfeeding Promotion and Support Program

• Lactation Services
• Breastfeeding Benefits
• Creating Breastfeeding Friendly Communities Grant
• Rockland Baby Cafés
• Rockland County Breastfeeding Coalition
• Breastfeeding Friendly Worksites
• Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Centers & Child Care Homes
• Breastfeeding Friendly Practices
• Breastfeeding Information & Resources

Support & Encouragement

Support and Encouragement are an important part of a successful breastfeeding experience. For more information or to make an appointment, call our International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) at 845-364-3786, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, or email messingl@co.rockland.ny.us

Lactation Services

We provide the following free breastfeeding services for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers:

  • Breastfeeding counseling in person or over the phone, support, and referral.BF2.png
  • Breastfeeding information and resource materials.
  • Help with challenges: milk supply concerns, positioning and latching on, engorgement, nipple or breast soreness, how to nurse in public, breastfeeding twins or more, and returning to work and school.
  • Classes, presentations and support groups.
  • Guidance for employers on establishing a worksite lactation (breastfeeding) program.
  • Assistance with becoming a breastfeeding friendly pediatric or OB practice or daycare facility.

Download our brochure.

Breastfeeding Benefits

Breastfeeding is a rewarding experience that benefits both mother and baby:

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  • Breast milk is FREE! Formula is very expensive!
  • Infants who are fed only breast milk for the first six months of life are less likely to develop colds, flu, diarrhea and ear infections.
  • Breast milk is convenient and easy: always the right temperature and ready when your baby is hungry.
  • Breastfeeding helps you lose weight gained during pregnancy and reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
  • Breastfeeding creates a great bonding experience between you and your baby.
  • Breastfeeding saves on health care costs because breastfed babies get sick less often.
  • Breastfeeding leads to fewer work and school days missed due to a sick infant, toddler or child.
  • Breastfeeding is good for the environment: no bottles to wash or formula cans to throw away.

Creating Breastfeeding Friendly Communities Grant

Small_size_2Window_Decal_5.5.jpgThe Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) was awarded a 5-year grant with a year 6 extension from the New York State Department of Health to establish a breastfeeding friendly care continuum from pregnancy through infancy to increase breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, and duration. The focus is on reducing racial, ethnic, and community disparities to ensure that women and families receive ongoing high-quality breastfeeding education and support.

The community, including employers, child care, and health care providers all have a key role in providing positive breastfeeding messages and improving breastfeeding support services during pregnancy and postpartum. To be fully successful, we are reaching women in their communities, bridging the gap between hospitals and medical practices, and expanding sources of community support for breastfeeding.

The RCDOH is working with community agencies and two county contractors, Lower Hudson Valley Perinatal Network and Child Care Resources of Rockland, to create policy and environmental changes to support breastfeeding. Together, we are reaching residents in the Towns of Ramapo and Clarkstown where they live, work, and receive medical care and child care.

The grant deliverables are to:

  • Build a community-based breastfeeding coalition with at least 20 organizations actively participating.
  • Provide trainings to community-based organizations, primary care providers, childcare directors and staff, and employers to increase knowledge and skills regarding breastfeeding.
  • Work with obstetric, family medicine, and pediatric practices, serving Medicaid-eligible women and their children, to achieve NYS Breastfeeding Friendly Practice designation.
  • Work with child care centers and day care homes serving families to achieve the Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care designation.
  • Assist worksites to provide accommodations for breastfeeding employees.
  • Establish three Baby Cafés® in our community. A Baby Café® is a community resource for pregnant and new mothers to get free breastfeeding support from trained staff as well as share experiences with other moms.

Rockland Baby Cafés

BF4.pngBaby Café USA is a non-profit organization that helps coordinate free walk-in sites, called Baby Cafés, where pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and their families can get free one-on-one support from trained lactation (breastfeeding) specialists. Café visitors also have a chance to share their experiences with others in a group setting. 

A Baby Café is located at the Spring Valley WIC office, at 14 South Main Street in Spring Valley.*

A Baby Café is located at the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center, at 110 Bethune Blvd. in Spring Valley.*

*Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rockland Baby Cafés have temporarily suspended in-person walk-in sites and are currently only offering web-based Cafés for breastfeeding support.

Download our web-based Baby Café flyer in English and Spanish  

Rockland County Breastfeeding Coalition

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The mission of the Rockland County Breastfeeding Coalition is to improve the health of mothers and babies in Rockland County by empowering families through a cohesive system of support and advocacy from the community, workplaces, childcare and medical practices, to create better breastfeeding outcomes. The Coalition maintains health equity at the forefront of all its efforts and strives to eliminate racial, ethnic and community disparities.

Want to be a part of the movement in changing the social norm around breastfeeding in Rockland? Join our Rockland County Breastfeeding Coalition today! For more information call 845-364-3786 or email.

Breastfeeding Friendly Worksites

Recognized Breastfeeding Friendly Worksites in Rockland County

Allison-Paris Rockland County Office Building
11 New Hempstead Road
New City, NY 10956

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Rockland, Inc.
65 North Main Street
New City, NY 10956

Child Care Resources of Rockland, Inc.
235 North Main Street
Spring Valley, NY 10977

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Good Samaritan Hospital
A member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth)
255 Lafayette Ave. (Route 59), Suffern, NY 10901

Jawonio, Inc   
Main Campus/Administration
260 North Little Tor Road, New City, NY 10956

Lower Hudson Valley Perinatal Network (Spring Valley Office)
1 Hillcrest Center Drive, Suite 214
Spring Valley, NY 10977

Marquis Home Care
230 North Main Street
Spring Valley NY 10977

Montefiore Nyack Hospital   
160 North Midland Ave.
Nyack, NY 10960 

GSH_Lactation_Room.JPGNathan Kline Institute
140 Old Orangeburg Road
Orangeburg, NY 10962

Orange & Rockland
390 West Route 59
Spring Valley, NY 10977

Rockland Community College
145 College Road
Suffern, NY 10901

Rockland County Department of Health
50 Sanatorium Road
Building D, J, and WIC sites
Pomona, NY 10970

Rockland County Office Building A
50 Sanatorium Road
Pomona, NY 10970 

Rockland Psychiatric Centerramapo_lactation_room.jpg
140 Old Orangeburg Road
Orangeburg, NY 10962

Rockland Children's Psychiatric Center
2 First Avenue
Orangeburg, NY 10962

Town of Ramapo
237 Route 59
Suffern, NY 10901

Take steps to make YOUR worksite Breastfeeding Friendly! Call the Health Department at (845) 364-3786 or email messingl@co.rockland.ny.us for more information!

Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Centers & Child Care Homes

Child Care Professionals: Take steps to make YOUR facility Breastfeeding Friendly!
Visit Child Care Resources of Rockland for more information on how to become a breastfeeding friendly childcare facility and to learn about the child care centers and homes who received breastfeeding friendly designation in Rockland County.

Breastfeeding Friendly Practices

Designated Breastfeeding Friendly Pediatric, Ob/Gyn, and Family Health Practices in Rockland County

Congratulations to the first two medical practices in Rockland to achieve NYS Breastfeeding Friendly Practice Designation! Read more in our press release.


Pediatricians/Obstetricians: Take steps to make YOUR practice Breastfeeding Friendly! Call the Health Department at (845) 364-3786 or email messingl@co.rockland.ny.us for more information!

Breastfeeding Information & Resources

For More Information on Breastfeeding and Support:
Returning to Work or School
Know Your Rights:
Rockland's Breastfeeding Efforts:
For Health Care Professionals: