One Brooklyn
May 8, 2015
BROOKLYN, NY, May 8, 2015: Today, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony, in advance of Mother’s Day, to open New York City’s largest Breastfeeding Empowerment Zone at Brooklyn Borough Hall; the lactation lounge will provide public access for women to breastfeed or express milk. Borough President Adams cut the ribbon with organizations that made the space possible, including Delta Children, WellCare, and Worksites for Wellness, as well as breastfeeding mothers, advocates, and Dr. Torian Easterling, Assistant Commissioner for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).
“The best gift we can give our moms on Mother’s Day is the appreciation for their hard work and the support they need to do it,” said Borough President Adams. “Our new Lactation Lounge is suited to encourage greater breastfeeding amongst mothers that live in, work in, and visit the Downtown Brooklyn area, a hub of public life for our city. We know that breastfeeding is a crucial component of a healthy young life, a natural act that strengthens both mother and child. My office is committed to advancing this public health imperative, and the Lactation Lounge is a permanent space to further that commitment.”
Studies show that breastfeeding has significant health benefits for both mother and child, protecting infants from bacteria and viruses as well as resulting in fewer ear, respiratory and urinary tract infections. Mothers who breastfeed have a reduced risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer and osteoporosis. Despite the known advantages, breastfeeding rates in New York City remain below the recommended levels. Additionally, there are significant differences across lines of race, poverty, education, and neighborhood.
“Breastfeeding has many benefits for babies and mothers,” said Sharon Marshall-Taylor, program manager of the Brooklyn Breastfeeding Empowerment Zone, a DOHMH initiative funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation that aims to make breastfeeding the norm in Bedford Stuyvesant and Brownsville. “However, many Brooklynites face structural, social and cultural barriers to breastfeeding success. It is critical for us to work together to remove barriers to breastfeeding, especially in high-poverty neighborhoods and communities of color. A neighborhood environment that supports breastfeeding mothers, including the opportunity to breastfeed in public, is essential to mothers’ decision to initiate and continue breastfeeding. Brooklyn Borough President Adams’ support for the Brooklyn Breastfeeding Empowerment Zone has been critical in this effort and the new lactation station will make breastfeeding an easy choice for mothers on the move.”
Donations for the Lactation Lounge included gilders and a changing table from Delta Children, new furniture from WellCare, and a hospital-grade breast pump from Worksites for Wellness.
“Delta Children is thrilled to once again join hands with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams to provide more services to families in need,” said Joseph Shamie, president of Delta Children. “Together we will continue to help families in Brooklyn live better.”
Following the ribbon cutting, Borough President Adams handed out bouquets of flowers to the mothers in attendance for the ceremony.
“By creating a dedicated space for nursing mothers and babies, Borough President Adams is showing that Brooklyn Borough Hall is indeed the People’s House,” said Council Member Robert Cornegy, Jr. “Having a lactation room is not about hiding away breastfeeding. Rather, today’s launch, and even the signs that will direct visitors to the lactation room, raise public awareness that nursing and pumping are healthy, supported choices for families that are welcome and lawful everywhere. This is more than a trend. It’s a movement I’m proud to be part of. Thank you Borough President Adams and Happy Mother’s Day, Brooklyn!”
PHOTOS
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony, in advance of Mother’s Day, to open New York City’s largest Breastfeeding Empowerment Zone at Brooklyn Borough Hall; he was joined by organizations that made the space possible, including Delta Children, WellCare, and Worksites for Wellness, as well as breastfeeding mothers, advocates, and Dr. Torian Easterling, Assistant Commissioner for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).
Photo Credit: Kathryn Kirk/Brooklyn BP’s Office
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams greets little Hart Hopson and his mom Kiki Valentine as he hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony, in advance of Mother’s Day, to open New York City’s largest Breastfeeding Empowerment Zone at Brooklyn Borough Hall.
Photo Credit: Kathryn Kirk/Brooklyn BP’s Office
In advance of Mother’s Day, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams (not pictured) opened New York City’s largest Breastfeeding Empowerment Zone at Brooklyn Borough Hall.
Photo Credit: Kathryn Kirk/Brooklyn BP’s Office
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