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NYS urging more breastfeeding initiatives

The New York State Department of Health continues to push for breastfeeding initiatives. On Monday, the department announced it will allocate more than $7 million toward promoting breastfeeding. 

The $7.2 million grant will be split between six health centers that serve communities with higher than average rates of poverty and obesity, which are associated with lower rates of exclusive breastfeeding, according to the state health department. The only Western New York center to receive funds is nearly $1.2 million for the University at Rochester in Monroe County.

The Department of Health announced that the funding will create or expand community-based breastfeeding coalitions, and help increase the number of centers that adhere to breastfeeding friendly practices. The grants will also increase accommodations for breastfeeding employees and baby cafes – which are places where women receive expert and social support.

At the same time, Health Commissioner Howard Zucker is urging all health care providers in the state to take steps to promote and support exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Zucker said the goal is to make exclusive breastfeeding the norm rather than the exception.

“The creation of coordinated community networks to promote, protect and support breastfeeding will ensure that all women receive high-quality lactation education and support across the continuum of care,” Zucker said. “All clinical and community providers play a crucial role in encouraging women to exclusively breastfeed. We want to make exclusive breastfeeding the norm, not the exception, in New York State.”

The health agency noted that breastfeeding has proven health benefits, including reducing infections, reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes and obesity. Among women, breastfeeding reduces postpartum bleeding and lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers and type 2 diabetes.

Just last month the Department of Health also announced new regulations at all 126 birthing hospitals – that involve encouraging skin-to-skin contact, discouraging early pacifier use and not giving out formula samples.

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