Breastfeeding Promotion Program

Breastfeeding is win-win. It helps both mothers and babies stay healthy. It's so good that the U.S. Surgeon General recommends that babies be fed only breast milk for the first six months of their lives.

Why is Breastfeeding So Good?

Breast milk has the right amount of fat, sugar, water and protein that a baby needs and it is much easier for a baby to digest. It also helps protect the baby from infections such as colds. And, breastfeeding helps strengthen the bond between mother and baby. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of allergies, obesity and illnesses such as ear infections, diarrhea and respiratory infections.

And, breastfeeding saves money for everyone. Breastfeeding reduces or eliminates formula cost for families. Because breastfed babies and their mothers tend to be healthier, families, businesses and health insurers also save money.

Breastfeeding Mothers' Bill of Rights

Choosing the way to feed a new baby is one of the important decisions a mother can make in preparing for her infant's arrival. Doctors agree that for most women, breastfeeding is the safest and most healthy choice. The Breastfeeding Mothers' Bill of Rights is intended to inform new mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding and have health care providers and maternal health care facilities encourage and support breastfeeding.

New York State Department of Health Breastfeeding Promotion Program

The program provides training and guidelines to help get more mothers to breastfeed and to get them to breastfeed longer. Some of the activities and information include:

  • Breastfeeding Grand Rounds – An annual satellite broadcast provides information to health care providers about breastfeeding.
  • Breastfeeding Best Practices - Guidelines that can be used by hospitals, clinics and other settings to help mothers with breastfeeding.
  • Breastfeeding: First Step To Good Health - A learning activity package about breastfeeding that can be used for in schools for children in grades K-12.
  • Regional Breastfeeding Networks - Networks were set up in the 1980s with short-term funding from DOH, and most are still active in their regions.

WIC Breastfeeding Promotion

In addition to these population-wide efforts, the WIC Program in the Division of Nutrition promotes and supports breastfeeding among its clients, through the work of lactation consultants and peer counselors in its centers.

NYSDOH Publications

For more information on breastfeeding: