Hackensack Meridian Health –Hackensack University Medical Center RECOGNIZED FOR SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS AT WORK

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Hackensack, NJ, May 18, 2017 – In an effort to commend, celebrate and increase the number of NJ worksites that support breastfeeding employees, the New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition (NJBC) has selected Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC), as a “NJ Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite”.  The award was presented at the hospital.

HUMC was recognized for important breastfeeding supportive practices including providing the availability of reasonable breaks to express milk or to nurse their child and access to a private space for expressing milk or nursing their child.   Studies show that simple worksite support practices increase the duration of breastfeeding among employed mothers.  Research also shows that breastfed babies have fewer illnesses contributing to less employee absenteeism.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months with breastfeeding to continue, with the introduction of solid foods, at least until the baby is 12 months old.  Abundant research has revealed short term and lifelong health benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child.  However, many mothers cite return to work as a reason for early discontinuation of breastfeeding.

“I am extremely grateful to HUMC,” said Joan Jennings, a Patient Care Associate at HUMC.  “My initial thought about breastfeeding when I was pregnant was to “just try it out.” When my son was born “trying” turned into 3 months, which progressed to 6 months and so on. When I came back to work I was worried that my milk supply would stop.  But, I was supported and able to pump every 3-4 hours while doing my 12 hours shifts. I feel that it created an amazing bond between the two of us”.
“Breastfeeding is a truly a selfless and unmeasurable gift”, said Elizabeth Bigos, Nurse Manager of Postpartum/Well Baby-Nursery.  “I am delighted to be a part of an organization that is dedicated and committed to supporting women in their decision to breastfeed throughout all stages of their pregnancy and postpartum period. Providing a safe, clean space for our employees to pump and continue their breastfeeding journey is our boundless privilege.”

The NJBC encourages all employers to learn about and become a breastfeeding-friendly worksite and then to complete the simple self-assessment at http://breastfeedingnj.org/breastfeeding-friendly-worksite-recognition-program/ .

The New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition is a collaboration of health professionals and community representatives whose mission is to improve the health of New Jersey families by working collaboratively to promote, protect and support breastfeeding.   For more information about the New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition, visit www.breastfeedingnj.org.

HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH – JERSEY SHORE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER  RECOGNIZED FOR SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS AT WORK

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Neptune, NJ, May 16, 2017 – In an effort to commend, celebrate and increase the number of NJ worksites that support breastfeeding employees, the New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition (NJBC) has selected Hackensack Meridian Health-Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC), as a “NJ Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite”.  The award was presented at the Neptune, NJ hospital.

This is the 1^st hospital in NJ to be recognized by the NJBC for breastfeeding supportive practices including providing the availability of reasonable breaks to express milk or to nurse their child and access to a private space for expressing milk or nursing their child.   Studies show that simple worksite support practices increase the duration of breastfeeding among employed mothers.  Research also shows that breastfed babies have fewer illnesses contributing to less employee absenteeism.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months with breastfeeding to continue, with the introduction of solid foods, at least until the baby is 12 months old.  Abundant research has revealed short term and lifelong health benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child.  However, many mothers cite return to work as a reason for early discontinuation of breastfeeding.

“I’m extremely grateful,” said Kellyn Riedemann, an Outcomes Analyst at JSUMC. “It was important to me to be able to keep up a full supply of breastmilk for my 1 year old son.  In addition, I met other breastfeeding moms in our private room and was able to provide support to new breastfeeding moms as they were just returning to work.”

Joyce (McKeever) Thompson, Clinical Program Manager at JSUMC said, “It is very gratifying to provide our team members with a clean, private place to pump their milk for their babies’ right at the worksite. This allows team members to feel comfortable returning to work in a supportive environment that encourages breastfeeding as the best nutrition for babies.  We’ve provided this support since 1992.”

The NJBC encourages all NJ employers to learn more about becoming a breastfeeding-friendly worksite and then to complete the simple self-assessment at http://breastfeedingnj.org/breastfeeding-friendly-worksite-recognition-program/ .

The New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition is a collaboration of health professionals and community representatives whose mission is to improve the health of New Jersey families by working collaboratively to promote, protect and support breastfeeding.   For more information about the NJBC, visit www.breastfeedingnj.org.

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Kathleen O’Keefe at 732-241-7429

CHILD CARE RESOURCES OF MONMOUTH COUNTY RECOGNIZED FOR SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS AT WORK

Neptune, NJ, March 10, 2017 – In an effort to commend, celebrate and increase the number of NJ worksites that support breastfeeding employees, the New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition (NJBC) has selected Child Care Resources (CCR) of Monmouth County as a

“Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite”.   A certificate of recognition was presented today at CCR headquarters in Neptune, NJ.

CCR was recognized for multiple breastfeeding supportive practices including providing the availability of reasonable breaks to express milk or to nurse their child and access to a private space for expressing milk or nursing their child.   Studies show that simple worksite support practices increase the duration of breastfeeding among employed mothers.  Research also shows that breastfed babies have fewer illnesses contributing to less employee absenteeism.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months with breastfeeding to continue, with the introduction of solid foods, at least until the baby is 12 months old.  Abundant research has revealed short term and lifelong health benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child.  However, many mothers cite return to work as a reason for early discontinuation of breastfeeding.
“I am grateful to CCR”, said Kim Telesca, a CCR employee. “I was always allowed the time to nurse (when my son was with me) or pump (when he was not). I was also able to do so in a clean and comfortable environment.  It was important to me to breastfeed (or pump) at work because I wanted to preserve the breastfeeding relationship I had with my son.  I wanted to provide him with the nourishment of breast milk but I also wanted to keep our breastfeeding bond intact in his first months of life.”

“At Child Care Resources we understand the benefits of breastfeeding”, said Kim Perrelli, Executive Director. “As an employer, making accommodations to support our employees who want to continue to breastfeed makes perfect sense.  These simple strategies provide so many benefits that give their babies a healthy start, with an impact that can last a lifetime.  I couldn’t imagine doing otherwise!”

The NJBC encourages all NJ employers to learn about and become a “Breastfeeding-Friendly Worksite” and then to complete a simple self-assessment at: http://breastfeedingnj.org/breastfeeding-friendly-worksite-recognition-program/ .

The New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition is a collaboration of health professionals and community representatives whose mission is to improve the health of New Jersey families by working collaboratively to promote, protect and support breastfeeding.   For more information about the NJBC, visit www.breastfeedingnj.org.

For a copy of this press release please visit this link, NJBC Press Release_CCR

NJBC would like to congratulate and commend each of the 7 (seven) NJ healthcare facilities.  All have achieved Baby-Friendly status.

• Inspira Medical Center Elmer, Elmer, NJ (03/12) 
• Capital Health Medical Center- Hopewell, Pennington, NJ (03/12)
  
• CentraState Medical Center, Freehold, NJ (10/12)
  
• Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ (10/12)
  
• Morristown Medical Center, Morriston, NJ (12/15)
• Overlook Medical Center, Summit, NJ (11/15)
• Southern Ocean Medical Center, Manahawkin, NJ (06/16) 

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global program that was launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 1991 to encourage and recognize hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding and mother/baby bonding. It recognizes and awards birthing facilities who successfully implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Becoming a Baby-Friendly facility is a comprehensive, detailed and thorough journey toward excellence in providing evidence-based, maternity care with the goal of achieving optimal infant feeding outcomes and mother/baby bonding. It compels facilities to examine, challenge and modify longstanding policies and procedures. It requires training and skill building among all levels of staff. It entails implementing audit processes to assure quality in all aspects of maternity care operations. The BFHI assists hospitals in giving all mothers the information, confidence, and skills necessary to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies or feeding formula safely, and gives special recognition to hospitals that have done so.

Author: Kay O’Keefe RN

We hear the same story over and over again. Women are shamed for breastfeeding in public, sometimes even while they’re wearing a cover. More often though the problem arises when a mother nurses her baby in public without a cover. A person may make an unnecessary and inappropriate comment or an employee at a place of business may ask a mom to excuse herself to a more private location to breastfeed or stop breastfeeding altogether. Once this happens, controversy ignites. Mothers host nurse-ins to exercise their rights, complaints are plastered all over social media and some businesses get a lot of bad publicity because they’ve asked a mom to stop nursing or to cover themselves while breastfeeding.

If you are a nursing mother who has breastfed without a cover, you may have experienced dirty looks or backlash yourself. If you aren’t and you’re wondering why a mom can’t just “cover up” there are several reasons a mother may not use a nursing cover. She may not own one or it may be too hot to add an extra layer. Sometimes babies just plain refuse to be covered and kick it off! Whatever the reason, a mother has the right to breastfeed in public. As the law in New Jersey clearly states:

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a mother shall be entitled to breast feed her baby in any location of a place of public accommodation, resort or amusement wherein the mother is otherwise permitted. (N.J.S.A. 26:4B-4)

So what can we do to help normalize breastfeeding in the public eye?

• Breastfeed in public.

Pretty simple, right? Use a cover or don’t, it’s totally up to you! The more moms don’t duck out of the public eye to feed their babies, the more comfortable men, women and children will become with breastfeeding in general. The fewer incidences will occur.

• Business owners educate their employees.

If you’re a business owner, you should make sure your employees know the law. Post the law clearly, add it to your employee handbook and make sure it is a subject included during the new hire orientation process.

• If you’re a breastfeeding advocate, IBCLC or counselor, share the law.

Everybody spread the word! Sometimes moms don’t know their rights. Make sure your clients and friends are aware that breastfeeding without a cover is legal and not considered public nudity.

• If you are approached, stay calm and confident and know that the law is on your side.

You may feel embarrassed or ashamed when someone tells you to cover up. It may make you angry and compelled to lash out but that could make things worse. Remember that it is completely legal and within your right to breastfeed no matter where you are in New Jersey. Staying calm is key. The New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition provides cards with the law printed clearly. Carry one in your pocket and present it every time someone approaches you.

Post written by by Gina Guariglia Kelly, Breastfeeding USA Counselor and Breastfeeding Mom

If you have a good sense of humor and appreciate sarcasm, please take a look at this video: