Brooklyn Moms Invited To Breastfeed In Politicians' Offices

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — Your elected officials cordially invite you to breastfeed in their offices.

A slew of local politicians joined a campaign to help Brooklyn moms find safe spaces to breastfeed in public and help small businesses to create them, the Health Department announced Thursday.

City Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo, City Councilman Robert Cornegy and Assemblyman Walter T. Mosley officially welcomed mothers into their district offices, and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said he's set up a lactation room in Brooklyn Borough Hall.

“It is critical that we continue to support Brooklyn’s mothers and their families by providing comfortable and safe spaces to breastfeed,” Adams said.

“We must continue to expand these kinds of facilities so that the next generation is brought up with the nourishment that they need to thrive.”

The announcement came as part of a Health Department initiative to facilitate breastfeeding across Brooklyn.

The agency released a list of 10 Brooklyn businesses where women have been welcomed to breastfeed and launched an outreach program to encourage other businesses to do the same.

While New York City law allows a woman to breastfeed in any public space — and prohibits anyone from trying to stop her — social stigmas and ignorance of the law can make things difficult for new moms.

That’s why the Health department is also handing out a toolkit — which includes a “Breastfeeding Welcome Here” sign and a copy of the city law that protects nursing women — to local Brooklyn businesses.

The initiative will focus particularly on areas in high-poverty Brooklyn neighborhoods, where breastfeeding rates tend to be lower, officials said.

Health Department officials also noted they would focus on non-white communities, where mothers are more likely to face societal barriers — such as restrictive hospital policies, infant formula marketing and racism — that make breastfeeding in public more difficult.

“It is critical for women – especially women of color in low-income communities – to feel supported in reaching their breastfeeding goals,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett.

“Local businesses and partners should be included in the effort.”

Mothers looking for a safe space to breastfeed have been welcomed to the premises of these small businesses and Health Department partners:

3 Black Cats Cafe
Neighborhood: Brownsville
Address: 3 Belmont Ave.

The Office of Assembly Member Walter T. Mosley
Neighborhood: Fort Greene
Address: 55 Hanson Place

Bed-Stuy Provisions
Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy
Address: 563 Gates Ave.

Brooklyn Borough Hall
Neighborhood: Brooklyn Heights
Address: 209 Joralemon St.

Brooklyn Public Library
Neighborhood: Prospect Heights
Address: 10 Grand Army Plaza

The Office of Council Member Laurie Cumbo
Neighborhood: Fort Greene
Address: 55 Hanson Place, Suite 778

The Office of Council Member Robert Cornegy
Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy
Address: 1360 Fulton St., Suite 500

Life Wellness Center
Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy
Address: 376 Tompkins Ave.

Manna’s Soul Food Restaurant
Neighborhood: Brownsville
Address: 478 Rockaway Ave.

Sincerely Tommy
Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy
Address: 348 Tompkins Ave.

The city has also launched three Baby Cafés, one in Brownsville, where new moms can gather and meet with lactation consultants on staff, according to the Health Department.

Photo caption: Kiki Valentine breastfeeds her 9-week-old son, Hart Valentine, on the steps of City Hall during a rally to support breastfeeding in public on August 8, 2014 in New York City.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Burton/Getty Images