New mothers and mothers-to-be are invited to help celebrate the launch of new Baby Cafés in Troy and Schenectady.
Funded by grants from St. Peter’s Health Partners (SPHP) Community Health Programs, and in affiliation with nonprofit organization Baby Café USA, the new Baby Cafés in Troy and Schenectady will provide pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers a comfortable environment to learn more about breastfeeding.
In Troy, the Baby Café is operated by the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO) and located in the organization’s Community Resource Center at 2328 5th Avenue. In Schenectady, the Baby Café is operated by Schenectady County Public Health Services and located in the Phyllis Bornt Branch Library and Literacy Center at 948 State Street.
At both locations, mothers can relax, share tips and techniques, and socialize with other moms. One-on-one help is also available from certified lactation specialists and peer counselors from SPHP and other organizations.
To celebrate the openings of the new Baby Cafés, and in recognition of World Breastfeeding Week, the public is invited to attend two open houses:
Schenectady Baby Café Open House
Tuesday, August 1
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Phyllis Bornt Branch Library and Literacy Center
948 State St., Schenectady, NY 12307
Troy Baby Café Open House
Friday, August 4
Noon to 2 p.m.
CEO Community Resource Center, 3rd Floor Conference Room
2328 5th Ave., Troy, NY 12180
“We are thrilled to launch these Baby Cafés, which will offer community support for breastfeeding women in Troy and Schenectady, and enable them to breastfeed for longer,” said Erin Sinisgalli, director of SPHP Community Health Programs. “Long-term studies of breastfeeding show it contributes to a lifetime of good health for babies. It also provides many positive health benefits for moms, and gives them some quiet time to relax and bond with their baby.”
Pregnant women, breastfeeding moms, partners, and siblings are welcome to visit the Baby Cafés and open houses.
Health care providers who wish to volunteer or participate in the Baby Cafés should contact Kristin Lynch at SPHP Community Health Programs at 518-459-2550.
Troy Baby Café
The Troy Baby Café at CEO is open from noon to 2 p.m. every Wednesday, at CEO’s Community Resource Center at 2328 Fifth Avenue in Troy. The Baby Café complements CEO’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), a national program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service.
“We are so excited to be opening the new Troy Baby Café at CEO to the community,” said Melissa Sacco, CEO’s WIC program manager and coordinator of the Baby Café in Troy at CEO. “This model provides a great community resource to pregnant and breastfeeding moms, providing support that is so often needed in a comfortable, safe space. Supporting and helping families with breastfeeding and promoting the healthy development of infants is the central focus of the WIC program, and so this is a natural collaboration.”
The Troy Baby Café will be managed by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant employed by SPHP, who will be assisted by two part-time lactation consultants. SPHP Community Health Programs will provide $26,600 annually for 5 years to support the Troy Baby Café.
For more information, please contact 518-272-6012 ext. 255 or click here.
Schenectady Baby Café
The Schenectady Baby Café is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every other Tuesday at the Phyllis Bornt Branch Library and Literacy Center, located at 948 State Street in Schenectady. The Baby Café complements the WIC program services provided by Schenectady County Public Health Services.
“Schenectady County is proud to partner with St. Peter’s Health Partners to open this first Baby Café at the Bornt Branch Library,” said Karen Johnson, vice chair of the Schenectady County Legislature and chair of the Committee on Health and Human Services. “Research shows that breastfeeding lowers the risk of child obesity and many childhood illnesses such as asthma and childhood cancers. The Baby Café will provide a friendly environment for our families to learn and share their experiences to help ensure our children get the best start possible.”
The Schenectady Baby Café will be staffed by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant employed by Schenectady County Public Health. SPHP Community Health Programs is providing $24,000 annually for 5 years to support the Schenectady Baby Café. Schenectady County Public Library is providing the space for free for the Baby Café.
For more information, please call 518-386-2824.
Baby Café USA
Baby Café is a national network of free breastfeeding drop-ins, combining the expertise of skilled practitioners and mothers to offer invaluable support to parents at all stages of breastfeeding in a professional but non-clinical, café-style environment.
Baby Café USA has more than 45 drop-ins around the United States, in 14 states, supporting more than 2,000 moms every year. All Baby Cafés are free, and are open to all those interested in any aspect of breastfeeding – mothers, partners, supporters – and take place in community venues. Baby Café USA was established in 2011.
More World Breastfeeding Week Events
In addition to open houses celebrating the opening of the Troy Baby Café and Schenectady Baby Café, another local organization is holding an event to recognize World Breastfeeding Week. The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center is holding WIC’s World Breastfeeding Week Health Fair and Kids Fun Run. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 3, at the Arbor Hill Softball Field, across from Arbor Hill Firehouse located at 700 N. Manning Boulevard in Albany.
The health fair is an opportunity to celebrate all of Whitney Young Health WIC’s clients and perspective families who may be qualified to receive WIC assistance. Twenty outside vendors, ranging from breastfeeding education to nutrition, will available for WIC families to utilize. Over $4,000 worth of breastfeeding and baby supplies was donated to benefit expecting, breastfeeding and working mothers and their children. The family-friendly event will feature a water-based Kids Fun Run for children ages 2 to 5 years.
For more information, please call 518-465-4771.
