Health Equity

Each year, National Breastfeeding Month in August offers a chance to celebrate the strength, resilience, and nurturing power of mothers, and to recognize the community efforts that make breastfeeding success possible. At Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. (OCO), we know that breastfeeding is about more than milk, it’s about connection, healing, and the foundation of lifelong health.

With the support of a generous Fidelis Care Maternal Health grant, OCO’s OPTIONS Program has been able to do even more to support maternal and infant wellness in our community. OPTIONS is a home visiting program that provides support and education to pregnant and parenting women, with a goal of improving health outcomes, through the support of a Community Health Worker. The funding has allowed us to provide comprehensive prenatal and postpartum education, as well as critical supplies that empower new mothers to breastfeed and recover with confidence. Items such as breast pumps, postpartum recovery kits, and home-delivered meals are more than just helpful, they are game-changers for mothers navigating the early days of parenthood.

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure the health of infants and their mothers. According to the World Health Organization, infants who are breastfed have lower risks of infections, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and chronic conditions such as asthma, obesity, and type 2 diabetes later in life. For mothers, breastfeeding reduces the risk of postpartum depression and is associated with lower rates of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Despite these benefits, many families face barriers to starting and continuing breastfeeding, particularly those without access to support, supplies, or education.

Our dedicated OPTIONS staff are Certified Lactation Counselors (CLCs) who provide both one-on-one education and group sessions that promote the health and well-being of both mothers and babies. These supportive, evidence-based sessions help families build confidence, learn proper techniques, address common challenges, and receive compassionate guidance tailored to their individual needs.

These supports promote physical healing after birth and allow new mothers to focus on bonding with their newborns, establishing healthy feeding routines, and nurturing both their child and themselves. For many of the women we serve, these resources remove significant barriers to breastfeeding such as access to breast pumps, nutrition, and reliable information.

Thanks to Fidelis Care, our OPTIONS Program continues to meet families where they are, offering caring support, practical tools, and a strong message: you are not alone in your breastfeeding journey.

During National Breastfeeding Month, and every month, we are proud to walk alongside the families we serve, uplifting healthy beginnings and building stronger communities, one baby and one mother at a time.

Fidelis Care offers several breastfeeding member resources for new mothers including tips after delivery, information on the health benefits for mothers and babies, duration of breastfeeding, diet considerations, and breast pump and lactation support.