178703 Partnerships for improving worksite lactation

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Karen Farley, RD, IBCLC , California WIC Association, Sacramento, CA
Karen Peters, MBA RD IBCLC , Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Laurie Pennings , Dept. of Public Health, CA WIC Program, West Sacramento, CA
A variety of advocacy strategies are being employed in California to improve the support for mothers continuing to breastfeed after returning to work. Current efforts build on the foundation of legislation passed in 2000, requiring employers to provide a place for women to pump their milk while at work. Areas of effort include employer awards, outreach and education with the state Labor Commissioner, training breastfeeding advocates on the business case for breastfeeding, a worksite survey and policy brief. Future efforts will focus on support for the low wage worksite and systems change including employers for retail, agriculture, hotels and manufacturing. The broad partnership includes breastfeeding coalitions, state offices of health and labor, nonprofit associations, and the university.

Learning Objectives:
Identify key partners for improving lactation accommodation in the worksite. Identify strategic activities for improving lactation accomodation in the worksite. Recognize the importance of the business case for breastfeeding.

Keywords: Breast Feeding, Advocacy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am actively working in this area of breastfeeding advocacy with multiple partners.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Breastfeeding Support for Low-Income Mothers: Successful Programs
See more of: Maternal and Child Health