Organization Name Launches Effort to Support Breastfeeding Mothers in the Workplace

By Author Name Insert Title, Organization Name

The numbers tell the story. More than 75 percent of new mothers in Texas choose to breastfeed, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, but fewer than 15 percent of them still exclusively breastfeed their infants at six months. Chief among the reasons for the steep drop is a lack of workplace support for breastfeeding mothers.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breastfeeding is the standard for infant feeding. It provides essential nutrients and antibodies that boost an infant’s immune system, providing protection from childhood illnesses. Babies who are not breastfed are more likely to develop common childhood illnesses like diarrhea and ear infections as well as chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, and childhood obesity. They are also at greater risk for rare but serious conditions like severe lower respiratory infections, leukemia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Breastfeeding is also good for mothers, lowering their risk for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions. Breastfeeding also releases hormones that help mom relax and create a special bond between mother and child.

Public health officials recommend that infants be fed only breastmilk through the first six months of life, with continued breastfeeding through the first year and beyond to achieve optimal growth, development, and health. However, only 10 percent of working mothers are able to exclusively breastfeed for the recommended six months.

Federal law requires employers to provide basic support for nursing employees to pump breastmilk at work, but many businesses haven’t yet recognized the value in providing that support. Few employers are aware of the demand for such supports because employees are often hesitant to discuss their worksite needs related to milk expression. Employers might also have concerns about finding space or the costs associated with providing worksite lactation support.

The good news is that lactation support initiatives cost little, and studies show they result in a $3 return for every $1 invested. Businesses that support breastfeeding employees enjoy lower turnover rates, reduced absenteeism, additional health-care savings, higher productivity, and increased employee loyalty. There is no requirement to dedicate permanent space for the purpose of lactation, so the solutions for providing space can be flexible and customized to fit the work setting.

Organization Name is working to increase awareness among Texas businesses of the importance of developing supportive programs for breastfeeding employees and their families. Describe your organization’s efforts here.

Businesses that proactively support their breastfeeding employees are eligible for recognition as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites through designation by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Ultimately, however, the true benefit comes when the breastfeeding employee shows pictures of her baby and sees the face of a happy, healthy child smiling back.

To learn how your company can become a designated Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite, please visit www.TexasMotherFriendly.org. The site also offers a wide variety of resources that businesses, employees, and community organizations can use to encourage others to receive designation as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites.