Tea Party Celebrated Moms Who Breastfeed

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Mothers from Westchester and Putnam and as far away as Connecticut came together today for a special reunion in Cortlandt Manor united by a common bond – the conviction that breast feeding is healthier for their babies.

With infants and toddlers in tow, more than 50 women attended 10^th Annual Breastfeeding Tea to compare notes and talk about the trials and joys of parenting and breastfeeding. Hudson Valley Hospital Center (HVHC) holds the tea party each year to celebrate these mothers’ decision to breastfeed.  This year’s event was held from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Cortlandt Colonial in Cortlandt Manor.  

Kathy Webster, Vice President of Patient Services at HVHC, told the group that breastfeeding is a number one priority at the Hospital and that staff have made a number of changes to support mothers in their efforts to breastfeed. She said that in April the Hospital was presented with an award from the NYS Health Commissioner for having one of the highest rates in the nation of moms who exclusively breastfeed their babies.

Sacha Troxler of Yorktown, who was at the event with her fourth child, 3-week-old Link, said that she has noticed the changes at Hudson Valley Hospital Center when it comes to added support for moms who breastfeed. “With my first child, I remember getting this package of formula to take home with me and that is not the case anymore. I think it’s great because it shows that the Hospital is commitment to supporting breastfeeding.’’

Linda LeMon, HVHC’s Certified Lactation Consultant and the organizer of the event, attributed Hudson Valley Hospital Center’s success to several factors, but pointed to the strong support moms receive in the hospital and after they leave, as the main factor. 

“The obstetricians, mid-wives, pediatricians and especially the nurses are all big supporters of breastfeeding,” she said. “Hudson Valley Hospital Center has a breastfeeding support group that meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. The support group is beneficial for the new moms, many of them are experiencing similar issues. It also offers them a chance to socialize and meet other new moms. The tea is an extra thank you to them for their commitment to breastfeeding.”

Babies who are breast fed have stronger immune systems and fewer ailments such as diarrhea, respiratory and ear infections, and allergic skin disorders. According to The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), billions of dollars are wasted each year in the treatment of infant ailments that could be prevented by mothers breast feeding.  For example, prolonged episodes of otitis media (ear infections) were 80% lower in breastfed infants compared with non-breastfed infants. 

Tahri Gang, from Cos Cob, Connecticut was there with her 8-month-old son Noah. Gang said that she traveled to Hudson Valley Hospital Center to have her baby because of its reputation for supporting new moms. “It was definitely worth the trip,’’ she said.