Promoting lactation support programs in the workplace: A HRSA/MCHB initiative

In early 2008 the Maternal and Child Health Bureau released a comprehensive resource kit entitled “The Business Case for Breastfeeding: Steps to Creating a Breastfeeding Friendly Work Site”. This was directed to employers in order to broaden the number and range of employers offering lactation support programs to their women employees returning to work after childbirth. The kit is divided into five sections: a brochure for business managers focused on the return on investment in introducing such programs; a booklet for Human Resource Managers and other staff who would be responsible for implementing such programs; a set of resources that can be used by this group of staff; an employee booklet with suggestions for steps to be taken at work both pre- and post-partum; and an Outreach Marketing Guide for advocates in the community approaching businesses to encourage them to support lactation in the workplace. The presentation will describe the contents of the kit, and provide details of a train-the-trainer initiative led by MCHB to enable state breastfeeding coalitions and Healthy Start sites to approach businesses. This training is followed by technical assistance to these groups, and has now been provided to more than 30 states and tribal entities. Some evaluation data will be provided, and other MCHB activities to promote and support breastfeeding will also be mentioned.