Breastfeeding in the Workplace

Breastfeeding promotion and support in the workplace can have a positive impact on the health and well-being of mothers and children which in turn can lead to benefits for employers and the community as a whole. Breastfeeding is the normal way to feed a child, and has well-established positive health, economic, and environmental impacts. Major health organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, and continued breastfeeding for at least 1 year. In 2005, only 17% of Utah babies were exclusively breastfed for 6 months.

A lactation support program is an important component of worksite wellness plans. Mothers are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. workforce. Returning to work is related to shorter duration of breastfeeding. Worksite support can enable mothers to achieve their breastfeeding goals.

A worksite lactation support program is a win-win situation for employers and employees.

Benefits for employers:

Companies that have adopted lactation support programs have noted:

• Cost savings of $3 per $1 invested in breastfeeding support
• Less illness among the breastfed children of employees
• Reduced absenteeism to care for ill children
• Lower health care costs (an average of $400 per baby over the first year)
• Improved employee productivity
• Higher morale and greater loyalty
• Improved ability to attract and retain valuable employees
• Family-friendly image in the community

Strategies for creating a worksite lactation support program.

• Develop a breastfeeding support program tailored to the company.
• Inform all employees about the company's lactation support policy.
• Consider flexible scheduling options
• Allow women sufficient break time to breastfeed or express milk on the job, and provide space in a private, clean place (not a restroom)
• Provide education and support
• Foster a corporate culture that encourages and supports a woman's right to breastfeed her children.

Additional strategies to support breastfeeding employees:

• Allow breaks, flexible work hours, part-time work of job sharing so that women can express their milk or breastfeed their infants.
• Post signage that allows breastfeeding women to locate rooms designated for breastfeeding and/or expressing milk.
• Rent or purchase an electric breastpump to shorten the time employees need to express their breastmilk.
• Develop/coordinate with on-site or near-site child care programs so that infants can be breastfed during the workday.
• Provide a maternity-leave policy that enables mothers to establish their milk supply before returning to work (usually 6 weeks).

Resources and toolkits

• The Business Case for Breastfeeding (Available through the Utah Breastfeeding Coalition), or the web version of The Business Case for Breastfeeding
• Or from HRSA
• CDC HealthierWorksite Initiative Worksite Lactation Program Toolkit