Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, with continued breastfeeding through 1 year or longer, is recommended because of the known health benefits for the infant and birth parent, as well as population health and economic benefits to the greater society.
In 2014, as part of the rollout of the New York State Prevention Agenda, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) worked with the UAlbany Center for Public Health Continuing Education to develop a series of presentations on promoting breastfeeding in prenatal, hospital and postpartum health care settings. While awareness and knowledge of breastfeeding benefits and breastfeeding rates have increased, educational efforts are not always culturally relevant or inclusive. Expert recommendations have changed. Hospital and outpatient policies, maternity care practices and lactation support vary across New York. Significant disparities persist in breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity and duration by race/ethnicity, educational attainment, income, insurance status and geography.
The NYSDOH worked with UAlbany in 2021-2022 to update and revise these webinars and provide continuing education credits for viewers. This four-part webinar series is now available for on-demand viewing here.