August is National Breastfeeding Month! Learn about the different ways we support breastfeeding families

At the Institute for Family Health, we are committed to supporting families as they feed and care for a newborn, including through providing support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. (If you are not familiar with the term, chestfeeding refers to feeding a baby from your breast or chest, and is preferred by some people as a gender-neutral term.) We aim to provide education and services that are inclusive of gender, body types, and feeding options (i.e., breast/chestfeeding or formula feeding).

In August, the Institute for Family Health celebrates National Breastfeeding Month. In honor of this celebration, the Institute is taking the opportunity to highlight various programs we offer to support breastfeeding and chestfeeding families:

Dutchess County Healthy Families (DCHF) offers in-home support for prenatal and parenting families throughout Dutchess County. DCHF offers extensive breastfeeding/chestfeeding information and support through its home visits and has Certified Lactation Counselors (CLCs) on staff to offer additional support and referrals. To get connected to these services or for more information, call us at 845-499-8906.

Perinatal and Infant Community Health Network (PICHC) supports families in the Mid-Hudson region by helping connect them to services and organizations in the community, such as Mid-Hudson Chocolate Milk. Call (845) 249-5306 to connect with PICHC.

Ulster County Healthy Families offers extensive information on breastfeeding/chestfeeding and support through its home visiting service for families, and has Certified Lactation Counselors (CLCs) on staff. Call (845) 339-8551 to connect with us.

Perinatal Care Navigators & Centering (PCC) aims to eliminate stigma around infant feeding choices. The PCC team provides online and in-person prenatal education on breastfeeding/chestfeeding/infant feeding to all prenatal patients at the Institute. This winter, we will be restarting our in-person CenteringPregnancy groups, where parents who are expecting can learn in a group setting about topics related to baby care, including feeding and nutrition. The PCC team also provides WIC and Nurse Family Partnership referrals to eligible parents to assist them in their feeding journeys. You can get in touch with the PCC team by asking your provider at your next visit.

WIC Breastfeeding Support has a designated Breastfeeding Coordinator that works with all WIC staff to offer the most up-to-date resources and support for breastfeeding/chestfeeding families. The WIC program also connects breastfeeding families with peer support counselors. Services are available in English and Spanish. Get in touch with the WIC program.