
The state’s first Baby Café designed to support breastfeeding families has opened at the Riletta L. Cream Ferry Avenue branch of the Camden County Library System in Camden City.
The opening brought together county Commissioner Virginia Betteridge, Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen, library director Linda Devlin and members of Rowan University’s Cooper Medical School.
The Cooper-Camden Baby Café (CCBC) will host weekly gatherings every Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. to offering breastfeeding parents a supportive and welcoming environment. The café is free and provides resources such as peer support, breastfeeding education, access to a digital baby scale and healthy snacks. A designated librarian will also host story time sessions for younger children during café hours.
“The journey of parenthood and breastfeeding can often feel isolating,” said Betteridge. “This space lets new mothers know they are not alone and that they have access to a system of support. Not only will this be a comfortable and welcoming environment for nursing mothers, but it will also serve as a community gathering space that helps foster connections and address health disparities.”
Breastfeeding rates remain disproportionately low in underserved communities, and the Baby Café model is meant to eliminate barriers by providing accessible and culturally relevant services. The initiative also aligns with Camden County’s ongoing efforts to improve maternal and children’s health, a goal expressed by Dr. Annette C. Reboli, dean of the medical school.
“At (Cooper Medical School), we believe that by empowering parents with the resources and support they need, we can significantly improve maternal and child health outcomes,” she explained. “(The) launch of New Jersey’s first Baby Café marks a pivotal moment for our community.”
The Cooper-Camden Baby Café is funded by state-supported initiatives in partnership with a medical school, another first for the state. The space not only benefits parents but also provides medical students an opportunity to develop skills in managing support groups, answering breastfeeding concerns and building community connections.
Carstarphen called the facility a “dedicated space and welcoming environment for all breastfeeding families.”
“We’re confident this collaborative effort to improve maternal and infant health will become a model throughout New Jersey,” he added.
The breastfeeding concept is part of a nationwide network spearheaded by Baby Café USA, a nonprofit that aims to reduce health disparities and help mothers achieve breastfeeding goals. Since its inception in 2012, the organization has established 150 licensed cafés in 26 states.
The Cooper-Camden Baby Café is already drawing attention as a potential model for future initiatives across New Jersey.
“This is another example of the continued efforts to improve quality of life across our city,” observed Camden council President Angel Fuentes. “Having this space within our community will be an incredible benefit to mothers and their babies.”
Led by international lactation consultant Sindy Ferreira, the Cooper-Camden Baby Café offers one-on-one feeding support in addition to group sessions.
“The … cafe is a collaborative effort to eliminate disparities in breastfeeding support and provide culturally relevant services,” Ferreira noted. “This space is open to all breastfeeding families and those considering breastfeeding in Camden County and surrounding areas.”
For more information about the new facility, visit the Riletta L. Cream Ferry Avenue library or contact the county library system.