Oakland County, MI

03/12/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/12/2026 09:15

Oakland County Captures National Baby Café USA Access & Equity Award

  • Oakland County Health Division receives breastfeeding access and equity award for their newly launched Baby Café.
  • The café is open every Monday from 1-3 pm at Honor Community Health Family Medicine Center in Pontiac.

Pontiac, Mich., - Oakland County Health Division was recently recognized with the Baby Café USA Access & Equity Award for its exceptional outreach to encourage Oakland County WIC families to participate in their Baby Café breastfeeding support program. The award honors Baby Café sponsors across the nation that reached WIC families at rates of 50% or higher in 2025.

"Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed a baby, but every journey has ups and downs," said Kate Guzmán, Oakland County health officer. "Baby Café offers an informal way for parents to learn practical tips, get hands-on expertise, build confidence and receive support from peers and family."

Oakland County's Baby Café opened in August 2025 as a free, drop-in breastfeeding support group that provides ongoing, professional assistance in a welcoming setting. The café is offered every Monday from 1-3 p.m. at Honor Community Health Family Medicine Center, 461 W. Huron St., No. 107 in Pontiac. The program is open to all pregnant and breastfeeding parents and people in their support circle.

Health Division staff are available to assist participants during each weekly session including an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), a WIC breastfeeding peer counselor, Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN), and Public Health Nurses.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months. Continued breastfeeding is suggested after solid foods are introduced as long as you and your baby desire, for 2 years or beyond. Breastfeeding benefits include:

  • Increased convenience while saving time and money
  • Reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer for breastfeeding persons
  • Decreased risk of asthma, allergies, leukemia, obesity, ear infections, eczema, diarrhea, vomiting, type 2 diabetes and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) for infants
  • Strengthened bonding with the baby

The Health Division also offers the following programs to support families' nutrition and breastfeeding goals:

  • Nutrition Services: RDN's provide no-cost, in-home and virtual visits to expectant mothers, infants, and children living in Oakland County who are nutritionally at risk.
  • WIC(Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children): WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition counseling, growth and development screenings, breastfeeding support and referrals to health services. Services are available to pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants, and children until age 5, who are income eligible.

Baby Café USA is a national nonprofit organization licensing and supporting 133 Baby Cafés across 25 states. Funding for Oakland County's Baby Café is provided via partnership between Oakland County Health Division and Honor Community Health.

For more information about Oakland County's Baby Café or maternal and infant health programs, visit oakgov.com/health or call Oakland Connects Helpline at 800-848- 5533, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook, X and Instagram.

For media inquiries only, please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County public information officer, at (248) 202-9668.

Oakland County, MI published this content on March 12, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 12, 2026 at 15:15 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]