Workplace lactation accommodation policy and implementation for chronic disease prevention

Breastfeeding is a crucial first step in protecting the health of mothers and infants and workplace policies have an enormous impact on breastfeeding success. Workplace lactation accommodation helps mothers give their breastmilk to their babies for a longer period of time, allows compliance with the federal and California law, and has a positive impact on the employer's bottom line. Yet, fewer than 25% of employers and only 11% of government employers have worksite lactation policy or programs. Large employers in Los Angeles County were engaged to adopt and implement workplace lactation support policy and programs during. Targeted were the 18 largest employers, including the county itself as an employer, which collectively employ more than a half a million employees. The strategy has been to engage key decision makers. Activities include interviewing key informants, leveraging relationships and networking, making site visits and presentations. The project was evaluated on the quantity and quality of the worksite lactation policies adopted and implemented. Lessons learned: Identifying the key decision maker is difficult but essential. Some people are interested in the health or bonding benefits of breastfeeding and share their personal and family stories. Others are interested in the idea of risk management and compliance with the law or the Board of Supervisor's directive. Some are engaged because there was a limited amount of time to provide technical assistance, others because it was at no cost to them.