Breastfeeding

The Hudson Perinatal Breastfeeding Initiative, funded by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Women Infants and Children Program (WIC), encourages breastfeeding as the optimal and normal infant feeding choice among women in Hudson County. The initiative includes prenatal and postpartum classes, postpartum consultation and support, a peer counselor hospital visitation program, telephone support and follow up, and home visitations.

Breastfeeding mothers in the community are trained as peer counselors to provide community education through classes, individualized instruction, health fairs, and community baby shower events. The breastfeeding initiative collaborates with other HPC programs to provide breastfeeding education to participants who are enrolled in the WIC program.

The Hudson Breastfeeding Initiative also offers education and support to health care practitioners and hospitals in Hudson County. As part of the breastfeeding initiative, The Hudson Breastfeeding Alliance (HBA) works to promote and support breastfeeding in the hospital environment, community health centers and private health practices. HBA holds four yearly meetings to coordinate breastfeeding protection, promotion and support in Hudson County birth hospitals and other healthcare facilities.