NORWICH – Nearly four years after the Chenango County Health Department began conducting its "Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program" aimed at reducing the use of tobacco products among women both during and after pregnancy, the program was designated as a "best practice" by the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs.

The designation means experts in the public health field have reviewed the program and proven it is effective––something Baby and Me enrollee Kayla Sampson can attest to.

Sampson enrolled in the Baby and Me program when she found out she was pregnant with her daughter, Brynlee, because she said she knew quitting smoking was important for her and her unborn child.

"I learned about the program from the Women, Infants, and Children Program at Opportunities for Chenango," said Sampson. "I have saved a lot of money on diapers and on not buying cigarettes. I still have not paid for a single diaper so far, and Brynlee is four months old now, so that is very exciting."

The Baby and Me program provides counseling support, resources, and facilitators trained to conduct the program and encourage pregnant women to quit smoking and assist them in staying quit after the birth of the child.