State regulations have changed with additional support for lactating mothers
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.
2023 Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Expert Panel Discussion
When: Thursday, May 11, 2023 from 9 – 10:30am
Where: United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, 742 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo 14209
Panelists:
Mona Bonanno, MD, 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, NYS Department of Labor
Lauren Pepe, Peer Counselor, Catholic Charities WIC
Registration requested: Register online or contact Betsy Vazquez-Aradio, Erie County Department of Health, Public Health Educator at Betsy.Vazquez-Aradio@erie.gov 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 contacting wellness@erie.gov.
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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
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