Jawonio Named 1st Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite In Rockland

NEW CITY, NY - Jawonio, Inc. is the first business in Rockland to achieve Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Recognition by the Rockland County Department of Health's Breastfeeding Promotion and Support Program.

“There are lasting, positive health effects of breastfeeding. We want to increase both the number of new Moms who are breastfeeding and encourage them to continue longer,” said County Executive Ed Day after a recognition ceremony. “That’s exactly what is happening here at Jawonio. We are making it easier for new Moms who return to work to continue breastfeeding.”

Recognized worksites are required to implement several steps to achieve Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite recognition, including creating a written breastfeeding friendly office policy, implementing environmental changes such as designating lactation spaces and training staff, and supporting mothers while they continue to breastfeed and return to work.

"We are proud to be a part of a county that strives to meet the need of its citizens. This Rockland County Breastfeeding Friendly Designation, is a wonderful way to share the pride at Jawonio and how much we value the backbone of our organization our staff,” said Jawonio, Inc. CEO Jill Warner. “Our moms are so grateful and happy, and happy moms are positive and productive staff members, and happy and healthy babies are the result of this collaboration.”

Practices that achieve the required steps are recognized by the Rockland County Department of Health's Breastfeeding Promotion and Support Program with a plaque and Certificate of Recognition, and are listed on the Health Department's website at http://rcklnd.us/breastfeeding.

The Breastfeeding Promotion and Support Program has been enhanced with a five-year grant from the New York State Department of Health, Creating Breastfeeding Friendly Communities. Grant work includes establishing a breastfeeding friendly care continuum from pregnancy through infancy to increase breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, and duration, and reducing racial, ethnic, and community disparities in breastfeeding.

One key focus of the grant is to work with worksites in the Towns of Ramapo and Clarkstown to achieve Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Recognition. Through this grant, Jawonio was provided with funds to create a lactation space, purchase a hospital grade pump, and provide breastfeeding support resources for their employees.

“One of the most commonly cited barriers to continuing breastfeeding is returning to work,” said Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert, Rockland County Commissioner of Health. “This is due to the lack of flexibility for pumping milk during the work day, lack of accommodations to pump or store breast-milk and concerns about support from employers and colleagues. It truly takes a village to support breastfeeding and we encourage employers to work with us to make their worksites breastfeeding-friendly environments.”

“This is a good move for babies, good for moms, good for families, good for businesses and great for Rockland County,” concluded Day.

Interested in becoming a breastfeeding friendly worksite? Call the Health Department at (845) 364-3786 or email messingl@co.rockland.ny.us. For more information visit http://rcklnd.us/breastfeeding.