New Jersey Department of Health Honors National Breastfeeding Month and Announces Statewide Breastfeeding Conference Hosted by NJ WIC

TRENTON, NJ - During National Breastfeeding Month, celebrated throughout August every year, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is raising awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and the importance of creating safe and uplifting environments for breastfeeding individuals. This year's theme, "RISE: Resilience, Interdependence, Self-Determination, Empowerment," focuses on the power of advocacy, which helps create meaningful change in policy, systems, and the environment.

"Breastfeeding not only provides nutrients to babies and protects them against illnesses but also reduces risk of certain cancers and high blood pressure in new moms," said Dr. Raynard E. Washington, New Jersey's Health Commissioner. "New Jersey is a leader in strengthening comprehensive breastfeeding efforts statewide through programs like WIC, which helps more than 160,000 New Jerseyans access vital support and resources to help mothers and babies thrive."

Breastfeeding is a crucial component of maternal and child health, especially during an infant's first year of life, supporting growth and development and offering disease protection. However, low-income families too often face socio-economic barriers, such as lack of professional and social support or inflexible work environments. WIC's consistent breastfeeding support puts the program at the forefront of ensuring that vulnerable populations have the same health outcomes as the general population.

To enhance access to breast milk, in March, the Department adopted rules at N.J.A.C. 8:75, the Standards for Human Milk Bank Registration and Accreditation. The new rules establish standards by which the Biobanking Compliance Program within Clinical Laboratory Improvement Services of the Public Health Services Branch of the Department would register and accredit human milk banks in accordance with N.J.S.A. 26:2A-17, et seq. (the "Act"). The Act defines a "human milk bank" as "an organized service that provides for the selection of a donor of human breast milk, the collection, processing, storage, and marketing of donated human breast milk, and the distribution of donated human breast milk to a hospital for use by low birth weight babies or new mothers with delayed lactation, or directly to a parent, with a physician's prescription order, who is unable to nurse, or is in need of additional breast milk to feed, the parent's child."

NJ WIC Receives Performance Bonus Award

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, New Jersey Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program's total breastfed rate was about 23% higher than the national WIC rate, showcasing the state program's success in advancing and supporting breastfeeding initiatives.

As a result, NJ WIC was awarded the Breastfeeding Performance Bonus Award in FY 2025 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration, which administers the federal program.

NJ WIC is a federally funded nutrition assistance program that provides healthy food access, education, health referrals, and breastfeeding support for eligible pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding individuals and babies and children up to age five. Initiatives such as Healthy Corner Store and Farmers Market Nutrition Program increase access to fresh produce and healthy items. The program not only reduces household food insecurity by 20% for families with young children but also boosts the state's economy, supporting over 800 approved retailers and over 100 farmers.

Four New Jersey-based WIC agencies were also recognized by USDA for outstanding service. The Children's Home Society of New Jersey (Mercer County's WIC program), the Norwescap WIC, and the Gloucester County Department of Health each received Gold Awards. The North Hudson Community Action Corporation received a Premier award through USDA's Breastfeeding Award of Excellence program, which acknowledges exemplary efforts.

"This award reflects the strong collaboration between the state and 16 local WIC agencies serving all 21 counties," said Wamaitha Mirie, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Breastfeeding Coordinator. "We are proud of the hard work and dedication of our breastfeeding peer counselors, lactation consultants, nutrition professionals, intake and administrative staff."

WIC Award Funding Guides Impactful Projects

The award funding will be utilized for various projects to enhance services for both WIC staff and participants.

• This fall, NJ WIC will host the State's Breastfeeding Conference, themed "Nourishing Futures: The Impact of WIC on Breastfeeding Success." The conference will assemble maternal and child health professionals, WIC local and State staff, community stakeholders, healthcare partners, and advocates to recognize contributions made towards statewide breastfeeding initiatives.
• The award is also being used to strengthen the workforce and ensure ongoing evidence-based breastfeeding support by providing scholarships to help staff become International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants. Fifty local WIC agency staff members have already enrolled in this rigorous yet rewarding opportunity, and five candidates are scheduled to take the exam in September.
• Additionally, WIC is increasing participation in breastfeeding support groups and classes. Interested WIC participants can sign up by visiting: https://www.njwiconline.org/bfsupportgroups/?l=10.

"It's an incredible honor to receive the bonus award, as it is given to the top 15 state WIC agencies," said Cindy Weiss-Fisher, M.S., RD, Program Manager, Nutrition and Breastfeeding Services. "The award has allowed us to continue to advocate for parents and children across the state and ensure that we cultivate safe spaces, inclusive policies, and uplift the voices of our communities."

Statewide Resources

The 2022-2027 New Jersey Breastfeeding Strategic Plan, released by NJDOH in September 2022, provides a statewide roadmap to improve breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity while reducing disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes through coordinated partnerships across healthcare, community organizations, employers and government agencies.

These breastfeeding initiatives are part of a larger effort to give every child in New Jersey a healthy start to life. The state supports New Jerseyans through pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum care with programs and services including nutrition, healthcare, developmental screenings and therapy, and other supports.

Additional New Jersey services available to enhance infant health include:

• New Jersey Early Intervention System - A statewide program supporting infants and toddlers 3 years and younger with developmental concerns and connects families with necessary services and resources.
• Newborn Screening & Genetic Services - Services which conduct newborn screenings to ensure that all babies born in New Jersey are tested for disorders, crucial to disease prevention and early intervention before issues worsen.
• Family Connects NJ - A free initiative that allows in-home nurse visits for parents and caregivers of newborn within two weeks of birth. Nurses can conduct check-ups, answer questions, and provide community resources.