On April 29, 2026, the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH), in partnership with Catholic Charities WIC and the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County’s Starting Line Healthy Births Coalition, hosted an expert panel discussion to help employers understand recent updates to New York Labor Law Section 206‑c, which strengthens employees’ rights to express breast milk at work.
The event offered employers, managers and human resources professionals an overview and explanation of expanded workplace protections, along with guidance on employer obligations under the updated law. Panelists included Kaleida Health Newborn Services Medical Director Mona Bonanno, MD; Hodgson Russ LLP Partner Kinsey A. O’Brien; and Univera Healthcare Medical Affairs Vice President Lorna K. Fitzpatrick, MD.
In recent years, New York State has strengthened protections for lactating employees returning to work by requiring a written lactation policy, 30-minute paid lactation breaks, a private and functional space nearby, and up to 20 hours of paid leave for pregnancy-related medical appointments. Panelists reviewed the laws regulating these changes, described the health benefits of breastfeeding and chestfeeding, and provided tips for setting up a worksite lactation program.
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In line with supporting organizations in meeting Labor Law requirements, ECDOH has a program that helps organizations become Breastfeeding, Chestfeeding and Lactation Friendly Worksites. More than 50 organizations in Erie County have earned this designation, and ECDOH provides technical assistance and consultation to ensure policies and practices for new parents follow state standards and best practices.
United Way of Buffalo & Erie County’s New York State Breastfeeding, Chestfeeding, and Lactation Friendly grant has enabled the establishment of a breastfeeding friendly care continuum through a coordinated community network in Erie County. This initiative builds and expands partnerships and advances broad-based policy, system and environmental changes that proactively promote, support and protect human milk feeding within community settings, businesses and healthcare providers.
Catholic Charities WIC is an income-based supplemental nutrition program that also provides breastfeeding support. Breastfeeding education and support are provided by IBCLCs (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants) and breastfeeding peer counselors. Free breast pumps are available from WIC (Women, Infants and Children) when needed, too.
The health benefits for new parents who are able to breastfeed or pump and store milk include lowered risks for certain cancers and chronic conditions. Infants benefit, too, receiving tailored nutrition and parental antibodies, and reduced risks for certain infections and chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes.
At the workplace, new parents generally have increased job satisfaction with higher retention rates. And because those infants are less likely to have infections, absenteeism for the parent is lower. With a small investment in providing a breastfeeding-friendly environment, employers benefit with lower costs for healthcare, sick leave and employee replacement, and with increased morale and productivity.
