Results using the CDC ScoreCard to Assess Breastfeeding-Friendly Worksites

More than 70% of new mothers now follow their doctor’s or midwife’s advice to breastfeed immediately after birth (Ryan et al., 2006). However, women employed full-time are less likely to initiate breastfeeding and to continue breastfeeding once they return to work. Breastfeeding friendly worksites have been associated with enhanced health and social benefits for mothers, including reduced rates of employee absenteeism, and savings for employers in health care expenditures for each infant exclusively breastfed for 3 months or greater. According to the CDC, employer-based wellness programs can have a substantial and positive impact on the health of communities.  Like other health promotion interventions however, workplace wellness programs require adaptation from research and policy into actual programs and practice (Glasgow et.al, 2003). Thus, it is important to study the implementation of programs and policies to determine the extent to which they accomplish what they claim to. There have been numerous calls for research focused on external validation because they can provide a more nuanced understanding of whether, and if so, to what extent, programs contribute to improved health and wellbeing (Sussman et al, 2006; Glasgow et al, 2003). This project uses the CDC ScoreCard to analyze breastfeeding behaviors in the workplace and interviews to understand how women experience the workplace in relation to breastfeeding. It is important to study the implementation of programs and policies to determine the extent to which they accomplish what they claim to.