Commissioners, Cooper Medical School and Camden County Library to launch first baby café in New Jersey

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(Camden, NJ) – On Thursday, Commissioner Virginia Betteridge joined Mayor Victor Carstarphen, Library Director Linda Devlin and members of Cooper Medical School to launch the state’s first baby café at the Riletta L. Cream, Ferry Avenue location of the Camden County Library System. The café is a space where breastfeeding parents can gather every Thursday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., for support, education, and connection in a welcoming environment.

 

“The journey of parenthood and breast feeding can often feel isolating, but spaces such as these let new mothers know that they are not alone and that they have access to a system of support,” Commissioner Virginia Betteridge said. “Not only will this be a comfortable and welcoming environment for nursing mothers, but it will serve as a community gathering space that will help foster connections among those who utilize the café and will also address urgent health disparities in the community.”

 

The Cooper-Camden Baby Café (CCBC) aims to promote breastfeeding by reducing barriers and creating a community for parents to connect. The space will also include crucial breastfeeding information, peer support from other families, access to a digital scale for weighing babies, and proper nutritional snacks and refreshments.

 

“Today marks a pivotal moment for our community as we launch New Jersey’s very first baby café. This initiative is not just about providing a space for breastfeeding parents; it embodies our commitment to fostering a supportive environment where families can connect, learn, and thrive,” said Annette C. Reboli, MD, dean of Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU). “At CMSRU, we believe that by empowering parents with the resources and support they need, we can significantly improve maternal and child health outcomes. Together with our dedicated partners, we are proud to support a model that not only enhances the well-being of our families but also enriches the education of our future physicians.”

 

The free, one-on-one feeding support will be led by Sindy Ferreira, an international board-certified lactation consultant.

 

“The Cooper Camden Baby Cafe is a collaborative effort to eliminate disparities in breastfeeding support and provide culturally relevant breastfeeding services,” Ferreira said. “The cafe is open to all breastfeeding families, those who support them, and those who are considering breastfeeding in Camden County and the surrounding area.”

 

All drop-in hours are hosted every Thursday, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Additionally, a designated librarian will be conducting story time segments during café drop-in hours, for accompanying younger kids.

 

“It’s wonderful to be able to open the first baby cafe in New Jersey right here in Camden,” Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen said. “It’s a dedicated space and a welcoming environment for all breastfeeding families. We are confident this collaborative effort to improve maternal and infant health will become a model throughout New Jersey”.

 

Baby Café USA is a nonprofit organization that coordinates a network of these specialized cafes nationwide in the hopes of reducing health disparities and helping mothers reach breastfeeding goals. Since the organization was founded in 2012, its operation has expanded to 150 licensed baby cafes currently operating across 26 states. These cafes specifically target under-served areas with low breastfeeding rates and are typically located in commonly used public areas such as libraries, churches, YMCAs, and other donated spaces.

 

“The baby cafe is another example of the continued efforts to improve quality of life across our city,” Camden City Council President Angel Fuentes said. “We are delighted to be able to provide our families with access to the health and educational resources they need to thrive.  Having this space within our community will be an incredible benefit to mothers and their babies”.

 

The Baby Café in Camden is one of the first models to involve state supported funding to a medical school. The café will provide a forum for medical students to acquire skills to lead and manage support groups, facilitate community building, answer common breastfeeding concerns and more.

 

Library Director Linda Devlin explained how the baby café coincides with the library’s goal to build community.

 

“The library is excited to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for new parents at the baby café,” Devlin said. “This partnership aligns perfectly with the library’s mission to connect with our community, promote lifelong learning, and provide inclusive services.”