A Step in the Right Direction!

Critics of low breastfeeding rates in this country like to blame it on formula companies for providing free samples to hospitals, for providing food to the WIC program and for doing numerous other things. 

But there are two very real reasons why the breastfeeding rate in the U.S. has not reached the federal goal.  One reason is lack of education.  The other reason is that many women have no choice but to return to work for finanical reasons.  And when that happens, many stop breastfeeding and that's when you see the rate drop.  It's not rocket science.  It's also been true that most workplaces are not lactation-friendly (providing a clean, comfortable and private room that is close by for a nursing mom to pump in, and providing a refrigerator to keep the milk in etc).  It doesn't take much. 

In a survey last year of the  Working Mother Magazine 100 Best Companies, more than a third said providing lactation programs for hourly and lower-wage workers come with added barriers, such as scheduling conflicts, and limited promotion of lactation benefits.

Obviously, providing a lactation friendly place to pump is good for mom and the company; the mom will be able to pump, she'll be happier and thus more productive, and the baby will be getting the best nutrients possible and hopefully not get sick.  If the baby isn't sick, mom doesn't have to miss work.  See, it's a win-win situation.

Now, Corporate Voices for Working Families, Working Mother Media and Abbott Nutrtition have joined together to launch an initiative that hopefully can combat both of those issues.  Their goal is to give companies that employ lower-wage and hourly wage workers some support for breastfeeding int he workplace.  The program gives employers the information and tools they need to reach those employees and to establish lactation programs.  They're providing a toolkit complete with instructions, tips, template materials, and recommendations on how to support employees who are breastfeeding.  Materials in the toolkit are available in both Spanish and English.  If you're interested in the toolkit go to the Corporate Voices for Working Families website and learn more about it. 

And to the critics I would say, put your swords down.  This initiative is an attempt to get at the root cause of breastfeeding rates.