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The facility is at the Family Partnership Center, 29 N. Hamilton St., Suite 109, Poughkeepsie.
The center’s walk-in clinic will be open Fridays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The center will be able to offer clients breast-feeding assistance and education on a “walk-in” basis with three certified lactation counselors and one international board-certified lactation consultation professional available. Appointments and breast-feeding support and education services are also available by phone, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., by calling 845-486-3419.
“We are pleased to offer residents lactation education before delivery and support after delivery,” said Dr. Kari Reiber, commissioner of health. “Since breast-feeding is the best feeding option for newborns, as well as one of the best methods toward the prevention of chronic disease, we want to offer new and expecting mothers and their families the opportunity to learn the benefits and ease of breast-feeding.”
Reiber said new mothers especially feel empowered to advocate to nurse their newborns when they have received lactation education before delivery. With the new program, they will also have a place to turn when they need assistance with breast-feeding, such as when a family experiences the challenges of bringing home a newborn.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mothers indicated the support and education from health care providers is the most important intervention the health care system can offer to help them breast-feed,” said Carol Wanyo, acting director of public health nursing. “The center will now be able to offer lactation support and education services on a walk-in basis to all women and their families.”
For more information, contact the department at 845-486-3419 or email Healthinfo@dutchessny.gov.
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