ECDOH to host breastfeeding discussion at United Way of Buffalo and Erie County for business leaders & managers

State regulations have changed with additional support for lactating mothers

Submitted by the Erie County Department of Health

Recent changes to New York Labor Law (Section 206-c) have formalized the right of nursing mothers to express breast milk in the workplace. This welcome change will expand opportunities for lactating parents to maintain a breastmilk supply for their young infants during their time at work.

This change has sparked questions from business leaders and managers about policies and how to practically incorporate breastfeeding into work sites. The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH), in partnership with the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County Starting Line Healthy Births Coalition and Catholic Charities WIC, is coordinating a panel discussion to explain these expanded rights and your responsibilities as a public or private employer.

The 2023 breastfeeding friendly worksite expert panel discussion will take place from 9-10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 11, at the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, 742 Delaware Ave., Buffalo. Panelists include

√ Mona Bonanno, M.D., medical director of newborn services, Kaleida Health

√ Rebecca Castaneda, chief of staff to Assembly member Jon Rivera and co-founder, Buffalo Women's Caucus

√ Judy Fachko, assistant deputy director – human resources, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library

√ Amber Lockhart, senior labor standards investigator, New York State Department of Labor

√ Lauren Pepe, peer counselor, Catholic Charities WIC

Registration is requested. Register online or contact ECDOH Public Health Educator Betsy Vazquez-Aradio at [email protected] or 716-858-4752.

Also, ECDOH provides support and technical assistance to companies and organizations interested in receiving a "Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace" designation. Promoting breastfeeding is a high-priority strategy for health departments and medical organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics. Businesses and organizations can pursue this designation by emailing [email protected].

For more:

√ Erie County Department of Health, breastfeeding: https://www3.erie.gov/health/breastfeeding-friendly-erie-county

√ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breastfeeding: https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/index.htm

√ Food and Drug Administration, breast pump and breastfeeding resources: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-pumps/breast-pump-and-breastfeeding-resources