Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
BP Adams Calls For More Public Breastfeeding Zones, Paid Family Leave
By
Jen Carlson
Published Apr 16, 2015
Modified Apr 16, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Apr 16, 2015
Modified Apr 16, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Adams was joined by many organizations, including Healthcare Workers East; A Better Balance; Worksites for Wellness; and YWCA of Brooklyn. (Jen Carlson/Gothamist)
This morning, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams announced his proposal for the city’s largest expansion of public breastfeeding zones. To be clear, breastfeeding anywhere in New York City is totally fine and legal, but having designated public areas and private spaces inside offices is helpful and more comfortable for new moms.
"When new mothers go back to work, they are put in an untenable position of discontinuing breastfeeding if employers have not created a private space for them to express milk through pumping, which is mandated by federal law. Also, some mothers may find breastfeeding challenging when they are in public."
With that in mind, Adams is encouraging City Councilmembers to create Breastfeeding Empowerment Zones (BFEZ) in their districts, and has now introduced one to Brooklyn Borough Hall, making it "the largest city-owned building and only city agency to provide a community breastfeeding room." It even comes with a hospital-grade pump, and will open on Mother's Day this year.
In addition to the BFEZ plan, BP Adams is supporting the passage of statewide paid family leave, as well as funding for the mental health (postpartum depression) screening of new mothers. The U.S. is the only industrialized nation that doesn't have a national paid family leave law, and many "parents in lower wage jobs do not have access" to paid family leave benefits. In New York, Res 0615 in support of NYS's Paid Family Leave Act has been introduced by NYC Council Member Rory Lancman.
Tagged
bfez
borough hall
bp adams
breastfeeding
eric adams
original
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .