Queens Public Hospitals Hold Ed Fairs On Breastfeeding

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) invites Queens residents, including pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and their families, to visit educational fairs at Elmhurst Hospital Center and Queens Hospital Center to learn more about how breastfeeding during the first months and year of life benefits both mother and baby, and how it can improve infant health and reduces risks of common childhood infections, asthma, diabetes and other conditions.

The events will take place during World Breastfeeding Week, August 1 through 7, and will include educational classes, demonstrations and films on breastfeeding, raffles and gifts. The public can call 311 for the nearest public hospital and health center location or visit www.nyc.gov/hhc.

"We want to do all we can to improve the health of the littlest New Yorkers by increasing the number of mothers who breastfeed," HHC President Alan D. Aviles said. "Our lactation experts, support groups, personal counseling, prenatal and postpartum classes help mothers begin to breastfeed within an hour of birth and help them plan for breastfeeding after they leave the hospital."

Studies show that breastfed babies are less likely to develop asthma, skin allergies, ear and respiratory infections, diabetes and diarrhea and may have reduced risk for childhood obesity.

HHC's comprehensive breastfeeding program, funded in part by the City Department of Health, also features:

• Education sessions starting early in pregnancy about the benefits of breastfeeding and/or use of breast milk for infant nutrition;

• One-on-one lactation support to moms at the bedside to help initiate breastfeeding within one hour of delivery;

• Promoting breastfeeding on demand by having moms and babies stay in the same room until discharge;

• Continuing support, including peer counseling and support groups, for breastfeeding moms after discharge from the hospital;

• Making available hospital-grade breast pumps to moms whose newborns must remain in the hospital, and

• Distribution of free personal electrical breast pumps to eligible moms who have no health insurance.

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), the largest municipal hospital and healthcare system in the country, is a $5.4 billion public benefit corporation that serves 1.3 million New Yorkers every year and nearly 400,000 who are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, four skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 80 community-based health centers. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/hhc.