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

Breastfeeding Promotion and Support Program

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 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

The Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) was awarded a $948,640 5-year grant 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:

  1. Build a community-based breastfeeding coalition with at least 20 organizations actively participating.
  2. Provide trainings to community-based organizations, primary care providers, childcare directors and staff, and employers to increase knowledge and skills regarding breastfeeding.
  3. Work with obstetric, family medicine, and pediatric practices, serving Medicaid-eligible women and their children, to achieve NYS Breastfeeding Friendly Practice designation.
  4. Work with child care centers and day care homes serving families to achieve the Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care designation.
  5. Assist worksites to provide accommodations for breastfeeding employees.
  6. 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.

The Baby Café at the Spring Valley WIC office, is located at  14 South Main Street in Spring Valley, and is opened every Tuesday, from 10:30 am -12:30 pm.

Another Baby Café is at the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center, located at 110 Bethune Blvd. in Spring Valley. It is opened every Thursday, from 11 am - 1 pm.

Both Baby Cafés follow the East Ramapo Central School District Calendar.

Download our flyer in English and Español and Kreyòl 

Rockland County Breastfeeding Coalition
BabyCafeSelfie.pngThe 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.

Come join us for our next coalition meeting on Wednesday, July 24, 2019
9:30 am—11:30 am.

Recognized Breastfeeding Friendly Worksites in Rockland County

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

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

Jawonio TECH
775 North Main Street, New Hempstead, NY 10977

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

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

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

Rockland Psychiatric Center
140 Old Orangeburg Road
Orangeburg, NY 10962

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

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!

Designated Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Centers and Child Care Homes in Rockland County

(Please check the New York State Office of Children and Family Services website for information about the licensing/violation status of these facilities).

Designated Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Centers:
Designated Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Homes:
  • Airmont Little Angels, 25 South Airmont Road, Suffern, NY 10901
  • Interaction Child Care LLC, 20 Hempstead Road, Spring Valley, NY 10977
  • Jenny's Heavenly Day Care, 39 Hempstead Road, Spring Valley, NY 10977
  • Little Sprouts Family Daycare, 427 North Main Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977
  • Gan Simcha Day Care, 98 Bates Drive, Monsey, NY 10952
  • Yaldainu at Berdichev, Inc., 8 Berdichev Way, Spring Valley, NY 10977
  • Kiddie Kingdom,  9 Brockton Road, Spring Valley, NY 10977
  • Shaindel Spitzer, 11 Berdichev, New Square, NY 10977
  • Rosa Garcia, 273 Hempstead Road, Spring Valley, NY 10977
  • Charm's Daycare, 9 Rose Avenue, Spring Valley, NY 10977
  • Nelly's Nest, 11 Christopher Drive, New City, NY 10956
  • My Tiny World LLC, 3 Drexel Court, New City, NY 10956
  • Kids in Action NY, 481 West Central Avenue, Spring Valley, NY 10977
  • Clara Ungar, 1 Herrick Avenue, Spring Valley, NY 10977
 

Child Care Professionals: Take steps to make YOUR facility Breastfeeding Friendly!
Visit Child Care Resources of Rockland for more information about child care programs and referral services in Rockland County.

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!

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