A recent news story reminds us that while protections exist, families still face obstacles breastfeeding in New Jersey. The NJ Supports Breastfeeding initaitive is working to close that gap.
New Jersey Sate Breastfeeding Coordinator and Central Jersey Family Health Consortium staff Ellen Maughan, JD, IBCLC recently gave an interview for an ABC7 news story centered on a New Jersey mother who was denied private space to breastfeed her infant. Though the mother was denied the use of a dressing room to breastfeed, Ellen weighed in to clarify that New Jersey law dictates, "a mother is entitled to breastfeed her baby in any location of a place of public accommodation, a resort or amusement where the mother is otherwise entitled to be.” Going a step further, Maughan also commented that, “we [advocates, professionals and employers] have to do a better job of getting the word out [about breastfeeding rights].”
Coincidentally, and in a rare occurrence of near-perfect timing with when the ABC7 story aired, the NJ Support Breastfeeding website was officially launched on Monday, September 8th, 2025.
Designed to not only normalize breastfeeding for New Jersey families, but also to provide clear information about rights and protections to families and employers, NJ Supports Breastfeeding is a cornerstone of the New Jersey Breastfeeding Strategic Campaign. From county-by-county lactation resources and step-by-step guides, to guidance for employers, caregivers, and health professionals, the NJ Supports Breastfeeding website is a one-stop hub for anyone in New Jersey who is breastfeeding, looking to breastfeeding, or supporting someone who is breastfeeding as a friend, family, employer or care provider.
The goal of NJ Supports Breastfeeding is simple: by recognizing that breastfeeding is natural, but not always easy, we can break down barriers, bridge the gaps, and ensure that every family—especially families of color, who often face the steepest obstacles—can reach their feeding goals without fear of stigma or lack of support.
