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Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care (Left Image: Rockland County’s Breastfeeding Program and Support logo created by Olga Porumbaro)

Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding is an important part of public health. The Child and Adult Care Food Program encourages child care centers and family child care homes to support breastfeeding families and recognizes these providers with a Breastfeeding Friendly designation. Child care center/child care home staff can complete a self-assessment that shows they support breastfeeding families. For more information from the NYS Department of Health on becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly child care program click here.

 

Breast Feeding Friendly Success Stories

Rams Day Care

In December 2022, Elise Bilali Nyota proudly earned her Breastfeeding Friendly Designation for her Family Child Care program Rams Day Care, located in Spring Valley. After working collaboratively with Jenny Spampinato, Professional Development Coordinator and receiving technical assistance, owner Elise Bilali Nyota created an area in her home for breastfeeding mothers and families to utilize. 

Pampered Family Child Care

Early December 2021, owner Claudine Sterlin-Desir started her Breastfeeding Friendly Designation journey. Claudine runs a Group Family program out of her home in the beautiful area of Haverstraw. Claudine worked collaboratively with Infant Toddler Specialist Jenny Spampinato to complete all requirements while receiving technical assistance and guidance throughout the process.

Fairy Steps Child Care

Early September 2021, owner Norfelina Ballas started her Breastfeeding Friendly Designation journey. Norfelina runs a Group Family program out of her home in the beautiful area of Valley Cottage. Norfelina has been working diligently to earn her designation and promote breastfeeding within her program. 

We are proud to have worked with the following Rockland County child care centers and homes toward meeting the requirements of the Breastfeeding Friendly designation. Congratulations!

  • Stephanie Acevedo, My Tiny World LLC – Group Family Child Care
  • Andrea Bogin, Campus Fun & Learn Child Development Center, Inc. – Child Care Center
  • Ivett Carrasco, Kids Town – Group Family Child Care
  • Maria Ceci, Rockland Worksite Daycare – Child Care Center
  • Miriam Cohen – Group Family Child Care
  • Johely Cruz, Early Bird Nursery and Child Care – Group Family Child Care
  • Darnett E. Davis, Kidsnett Child Care Program – Child Care Center
  • Jeannine Desir, Jenny's Heavenly Daycare – Group Family Child Care
  • Charmaine Emundson, Charm’s Daycare – Group Family Child Care
  • Fairy Steps Childcare - Group Family Child Care
  • Merlande U. Francois, Little Sprouts Family Day Care – Group Family Child Care
  • Rosa Garcia – Group Family Child Care
  • Sarah Hirschberg, Darchei Noam Daycare - Group Family Child Care
  • JCC Rockland, Inc. - Child Care Center
  • Myra Jean-Gilles, The Myra Jean-Gilles Day Care - Group Family Child Care
  • Lorna Levitin – Group Family Child Care
  • Wanda L. McCarthy – Group Family Child Care                 
  • Scheindl Michalowitz, Teacher Mommy Daycare, Inc. - Child Care Center
  • Jamie Naddeo, Bright Beginnings of Rockland, Inc. (New City and Pomona locations) – Group Family Child Care
  • Elise Bilali Nyota, Rams Day Care - Spring Valley, NY
  • Noelia O’Leary, Nelly’s Nest - Family Child Care
  • Irma Pachter, Mother Gooses House - Group Family Child Care
  • Rockland County Courthouse 
  • Elsa Sandoval – Group Family Child Care
  • Gitel Silber, Kids in Action Rockland - Group Family
  • Shaindel L. Spitzer - Group Family Child Care
  • Rivka Stein, RS Deals - Group Family Child Care
  • Claudine Sterlin-Desir, Pampered Family Child Care
  • Chaya Tauber, Gan Simcha Day Care Inc. – Group Family Child Care
  • Chana Twersky, Kids in Action NY - Group Family Child Care
  • Clara Ungar – Group Family Child Care
  • Aviva T. Weimer, Kiddie Kingdom – Group Family Child Care
  • Nathalee N. Williams, Interaction Child Care LLC – Group Family Child Care
  • Wish For Child Learning Center - Family Child Care
  • Sophia Zuniga, Sophia's Sandcastle – Group Family Child Care
Guide to the Rights of Breastfeeding Employees in NY

The NYS DOH published the Breastfeeding Mothers' Bill of Rights.  Under section 206-c of the Labor Law, for up to three years following childbirth, you have the right to take reasonable unpaid break time or to use paid break time or meal time each day, so that you can express breast milk at work. Your employer must make reasonable efforts to provide a room or another location, in close proximity to your work area, where you can express breast milk in private. Your employer may not discriminate against you based on your decision to express breast milk at work. Complaints can be directed to the New York State Department of Labor.  

Human Milk Initiative Educational Written Materials The Neonatal Quality Improvement Collaborative of Massachusetts has some wonderful information on their website and we are glad to share their materials. On their website's materials page, you'll find information on the Importance of Breast Milk; Pumping and Hand Expression; Skin to Skin Care; and Transition to Direct Breastfeeding. When you click on each of those headings you'll find materials available in nine languages! 

Parents & Families