What can Louisiana do to improve breastfeeding duration rates?

When compared to other countries in the developing world US breastfeeding rates are not making the mark. According to 2003 data, Norway has the highest breastfeeding rates with an initiation rate of 99% followed by Sweden with an initiation rate of 97% and the US lags behind with a rate of 70% but not far behind its goal of 75%. On the other hand, the US has a bit of work to do in achieving the recommended six months of exclusive breastfeeding. In the US, only 33% of women breastfeed six months postpartum, a rate far from the Healthy People 2010 goal of 50%. According to LA PRAMS 2003 data, Louisiana's breastfeeding initiation rate is 46.4% and the duration rate is 10.2%. One major barrier for achieving the recommended 6-month goal for US women is returning to work. Unlike other countries, US women receive twelve weeks of unpaid maternity leave depending on the number of employees employed by the company. According to European Industrial Relations Observatory, Norwegian parents receive 52 weeks of paid parental leave. Evidence suggests that US employers could significantly improve workplace dynamics and the health of their employees' and their employees' children by establishing a breastfeeding-friendly workplace. How do Louisiana employers perceive becoming breastfeeding friendly? This session highlights the results of baseline surveys administered to Louisiana employers and success stories of Louisiana workplaces that became breastfeeding-friendly workplaces.