TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Department of Health is highlighting breastfeeding resources and programs during National Breastfeeding Month while announcing plans for a statewide conference focused on breastfeeding support.
National Breastfeeding Month is observed throughout August. This year’s theme, “RISE: Resilience, Interdependence, Self-Determination, Empowerment,” focuses on advocacy and its role in creating changes in policies, systems and environments.
“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.”
Health officials said breastfeeding supports infant growth and development and provides protection against disease, particularly during the first year of life. Low-income families, however, can face barriers including a lack of professional and social support and inflexible work environments.
The state’s Women, Infants and Children program provides breastfeeding support along with access to healthy foods, nutrition education and health referrals for eligible pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding individuals and children up to age 5.
In fiscal year 2024, New Jersey WIC’s total breastfeeding rate was about 23% higher than the national WIC rate, according to the Department of Health.
The program’s performance led to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service awarding New Jersey WIC a Breastfeeding Performance Bonus Award in fiscal year 2025.
“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.”
Four New Jersey WIC agencies also received recognition from the USDA. The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey, which operates Mercer County’s WIC program, Norwescap WIC and the Gloucester County Department of Health received Gold Awards. North Hudson Community Action Corporation received a Premier award through the USDA’s Breastfeeding Award of Excellence program.
New Jersey plans to use the award funding for several projects aimed at expanding services for WIC participants and staff.
This fall, NJ WIC will host a statewide breastfeeding conference titled “Nourishing Futures: The Impact of WIC on Breastfeeding Success.” The conference will bring together maternal and child health professionals, local and state WIC staff, community stakeholders, health care partners and advocates.
Funding is also being used to provide scholarships for WIC employees seeking to become International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants. Fifty local WIC agency staff members have enrolled, and five candidates are scheduled to take the certification exam in September.
“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.”
The state is also working to increase participation in breastfeeding support groups and classes.
Separately, the Department of Health adopted rules in March establishing standards for registering and accrediting human milk banks in New Jersey. Human milk banks collect, process, store and distribute donated breast milk for certain infants and families, including low-birth-weight babies and parents who are unable to nurse or need additional breast milk.
The state’s breastfeeding initiatives are guided in part by the 2022-2027 New Jersey Breastfeeding Strategic Plan, which seeks to improve breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity while reducing disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.
Other state programs supporting infants and families include the New Jersey Early Intervention System, Newborn Screening and Genetic Services and Family Connects NJ, which provides free in-home nurse visits to parents and caregivers of newborns.
