Congers, NY, – Join the free annual “Live, Love, Latch! BYO Basket Picnic” in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Congers Memorial Park, located at 6 Gilchrest Road in Congers. This event is more than just a celebration, but a time to share experiences and learn interesting facts about lactation and human milk feeding while making it fun for families.

The event is hosted by several Rockland County Lactation Coalition partners, including the Rockland County Department of Health, La Leche League of Rockland County (LLL), The New York Milk Bank, Lower Hudson Valley Perinatal Network, and Montefiore Nyack Hospital. For details on the picnic and registration, visit https://flow.page/rocklandlivelovelatch2024. For questions, contact [email protected].

Human milk provides essential nutrients and antibodies that boost infants’ immune systems, protecting them from childhood illnesses like ear infections and diarrhea. It also helps to protect against chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, and childhood obesity.

“The proven health benefits of providing human milk to babies make it not just important but essential for us to work together to help reduce barriers lactating families face. It is crucial to foster a culture in the community where lactating individuals feel empowered and comfortable to provide human milk for their babies wherever they are at any given moment. World Breastfeeding Week is an ideal opportunity to engage in activities that advocate for, safeguard, and support all lactating individuals,” said Laurie Messinger, IBCLC, Coordinator of the Rockland County Department of Health Lactation Promotion and Support Program.

Are you looking to be a part of the movement to help change the social norm around breast/chestfeeding in Rockland? Do you know about your labor and civil rights laws that protect lactating individuals? The Rockland County Department of Health can assist your worksite, childcare center/home, or pediatric or obstetric practice in becoming lactation-friendly. Our free services include lactation training for staff, assistance in setting up lactation rooms, and providing educational materials.  For more information or to become a Rockland County Lactation Coalition member, call the Health Department’s Lactation Promotion and Support Program at 845-364-3786, email [email protected], or visit http://rcklnd.us/lactation.  For more information on all events recognizing National Breastfeeding Awareness Month and World Breastfeeding Week in 2024,

visit http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/NBM and http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/.