HHC hospitals celebrated World Breastfeeding Week this year with public education events at hospitals and community centers across the city. Metropolitan Hospital in Manhattan sponsored a reunion for mothers who had been breastfeeding for one year. Participants at all the events received educational materials and giveaways, and new and expectant mothers had a chance to enter raffles for breast pumps.

Breastfeeding during the first months and year of life benefits both mother and baby, and can improve infant health and reduce the risk of common childhood infections, asthma, diabetes and other conditions. HHC hospitals encourage all new mothers to breastfeed within the first few hours after birth. About 81 percent of babies who are delivered at public hospital facilities leave the hospital breastfeeding, a number that exceeds the goal of 75 percent set by the Healthy People 2010 program of the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

Bellevue Hospital's Breastfeeding Week event

Jacobi Medical Center filled Farmers market 'green' bags with information on how families and fathers can support breastfeeding

Florence Burrell, Director of Nursing, Central Office Clinical Affairs, speaks at Kings County Hospital Center's Breastfeeding Week event.

Lincoln Medical Center and Morrisania's World Breastfeeding Week event