Breastfeeding-friendly workplace initiative

The Advanced Maternal Child Health Leadership Institute New York Team's primary goal was to protect and support women who choose to breastfeed. Supporting breastfeeding in the workplace was identified as a priority in the Surgeon General's Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding (2000). The USBC Accommodations for Breastfeeding in the Workplace Checklist was used as a pre- and post- test evaluation tool to demonstrate baseline accommodations in the workplaces of the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary member businesses. After presenting, “Why Become a Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace?” distributing a “Come Back Pack”, the participating businesses completed the checklist again to note change in practices and attitudes toward breastfeeding in the workplace. The presentation, “Why Become a Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace?” demonstrated to employers that it is not that hard to make simple accommodations supporting breastfeeding mothers in the workplace. By being open minded, committed and flexible, mothers, children, employers and the community can experience the breastfeeding benefits, improved maternal and child health, reduced absenteeism, increased productivity, retention, loyalty, reduced health care costs, and elevated stature in the community. The "Come Back Pack” for employers to give to employees prior to taking maternity leave encourages breastfeeding initiation and that the employee's choice to breastfeed will be supported when she returns to work. Thereby, the continuance of breastfeeding, which is so essential to the health and well-being of the mother and child, can be achieved. By engaging the business community, the team recognized the potential of establishing breastfeeding as a cultural norm.