Support & Encouragement
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.
- 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:
- 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.
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:
- 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 Baby 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 CoalitionThe 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.
Recognized Breastfeeding Friendly Worksites in Rockland County
Child Care Resources of Rockland, Inc.
235 North Main Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977
(845) 425-0009
Jawonio, Inc
Main Campus/Administration
260 North Little Tor Road, New City, NY 10956
(845) 708-2000
Jawonio TECH
775 North Main Street, New Hempstead, NY 10977
(845) 708-2000 x2308
Montefiore Nyack Hospital
160 North Midland Ave., Nyack, NY 10960
845-348-2000
Good Samaritan Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth)
255 Lafayette Ave. (Route 59), Suffern, NY 10901
845-368-5000
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:- Rockland Worksite Day Care, 50 Sanatorium Road, Pomona, New York 10970 (845) 364-2697.
- Teacher Mommy Daycare Inc., 230 West Route 59 (Suite 10-11), Spring Valley, NY 10977.
- Kidsnett Childcare Program, 19 Perlman Drive Spring Valley, NY 10977.
- Campus Fun & Learn Child Development Center, Inc., 145 College Road, Suffern, NY 10901
- Bright Beginnings of Rockland, 6 Charles St. New City, NY and 2 Mountain View Court, Pomona, NY 10970
- 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
- Orangetown Pediatric Associates 30 Ramland Road, Suite 200 A, Orangeburg, NY 10962
(845) 359-0010 - Integrative Lactation and Family Health 55 Old Nyack Turnpike, Suite 206, Nanuet NY 10954
(845) 323-1830
- Montefiore Nyack Hospital Prenatal Center 258 High Avenue, Nyack, NY 10960
(845) 348-2550
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!
- Letter of Introduction: NYS Breastfeeding Friendly Practices Designation
- NYS Ten Steps to a Successful Breastfeeding Friendly Practice Handout
- NYS Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding Friendly Practice Implementation Guide
- NYS Breastfeeding Friendly Practice Designation Assessment Survey (Fillable Survey)
For More Information on Breastfeeding:
- New York State Department of Health WIC (Women, Infants, Children) Program
- New York State Department of Health Breastfeeding Promotion Program
- Breastfeeding Partners
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division (CDC)
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health En Español
- La Leche League International
- Stanford University Breastfeeding Videos
Returning to Work or School
- How to Keep Your Breast Pump Clean En Español
- Business Case for Breastfeeding
- For Breastfeeding Mothers Going Back to Work
Know Your Rights:
- New York State has laws that protect mother's rights to breastfeed
- The New York State Bill of Rights has more information on your rights as a breastfeeding mother.
- New York Civil Liberties Union: Your Breastfeeding Rights in New York
Rockland's Breastfeeding Efforts:
- Using County Breastfeeding Services to Encourage Breastfeeding and Improve Health, NYS Association of Counties Magazine, Summer 2017
- New York Academy of Medicine Breastfeeding presentation: Local Public Health Approaches to Breastfeeding in New York State
For Health Care Professionals: