St. Joseph’s Physicians Primary Care Center OB/GYN has become the first practice in Onondaga County to receive the New York State Breastfeeding, Chestfeeding, and Lactation Friendly Practice Designation. The award is given by the New York State Department of Health as part of the Breastfeeding, Chestfeeding, and Lactation Friendly New York (BFFNY) Program.
The designation recognizes practices that follow the New York State Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding, Chestfeeding, and Lactation Friendly Practice. These steps are guidelines designed to help healthcare providers support families who choose breastfeeding or chestfeeding. The guidelines include having trained staff, clear policies, and resources to make families feel welcome and informed both before and after childbirth.
Julianne Himes, President of St. Joseph’s Physicians, stated: “Promoting the health and well-being of moms, babies, and growing families is at the heart of our mission at St. Joseph’s Health. This designation reflects our unwavering commitment to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that empowers families from the very beginning. We are proud of our Primary Care Center OB/GYN team for creating an environment where every parent feels supported in their feeding journey and every baby has the healthiest possible start.”
This recognition builds on St. Joseph’s Health Hospital’s previous achievements in supporting breastfeeding and early bonding between parents and newborns. The hospital was one of the first in New York State to be accredited as a Baby-Friendly Hospital by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Families delivering at St. Joseph’s have access to practices such as immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth, rooming-in with their infants, daily visits from International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants, personalized feeding plans, breast pump guidance, specialized lactation support for NICU patients, and continued assistance after leaving the hospital.
These services are intended to provide consistent support for families choosing St. Joseph’s Health throughout prenatal care, delivery, and early weeks at home.
