Would you like

• Reduced staff turnover and retention of skilled workers after the birth of a child?
• Reduced sick time/personal leave due to a sick child?
• Lower and fewer health insurance claims?
• Enhanced job productivity, employee satisfaction, loyalty and morale?
• An enticing recruitment incentive?
• A reputation as a company concerned for the welfare of its employees and families?
• A healthier workforce for the future?

Why should employers be concerned?

Breastfeeding support at the workplace can positively impact the bottom line by lowering healthcare costs, enhancing productivity, improving employee satisfaction, increasing retention and improving corporate image.

The workforce is changing dramatically. More than 50% of adult women are in the workforce. Two-thirds of new employees will be women starting or returning to work. Seventy five percent of working women become pregnant during their working lives.

Although 55% of working mothers try breastfeeding, only 24% of part-time and 12.5% of full-time working mothers continue breastfeeding for six months as recommended by health experts. Women in professional positions are more likely to breastfeed, but a supportive work environment can have a positive influence on any breastfeeding mother as she decides if and when to return to work.

How employees benefit

In a recent two-year study at the Aerospace Corporation and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), 93% of formula-fed infants fell ill versus only 59% of breastfed infants. Lower absence rates among breastfeeding mothers translate into significant savings for the company.

An absence of just one day costs the LADWP an average $360 (for a $15-per-hour employee). It takes one and one-half days to have someone else do that employee's work.

Some women resign if they are unable to continue breastfeeding. When that happens, the costs are even greater. For a non-management employee, the national average for recruitment and training is $2,250. For a management professional the cost is at least $25,000.

"This benefit has been wonderful in helping ease the transition of our new mothers back to the workplace."--Human Resources, Sea World of California

Workplace lactation: Part of your overall health promotion plan

• Provide a maternity leave policy that enables mothers to establish a breastfeeding routine and milk supply before returning to work.
• Allow part-time work or job sharing to enable a working mother to balance her need to nurture her baby with her need to work.
• Provide information to all employees on the benefits of breastfeeding and company services available to support breastfeeding women. Educate other personnel about why they should support their co-workers' decision to breastfeed.
• Provide the services of a lactation professional to give breastfeeding education, counseling and support during pregnancy, after delivery and when the mother returns to work.

A Mother-Friendly Worksite should have, at a minimum:

• Flexible work schedules to provide time for expression of milk.
• A comfortable location allowing privacy for pumping.
• Access to a nearby clean, safe water source and a sink for washing hands and rinsing out any breastpump equipment.
• Access to a small refrigerator for save storage of breastmilk.

"Our breastfeeding support program allows employees to balance the responsibilities of work and family."--Palomar-Pomerado Health System

A Full Corporate Lactation Program should include all of the above plus:

• Prenatal education for the nursing couple.
• Counseling by a lactation consultant as needed to nurse successfully.
• Referrals to public/private community resources for special situations.

Turnkey packages are available, or you can create your own.

Why breastfeeding makes a difference

• Breastmilk provides infants all the nutrients for optimal physical and mental development.
• Breastmilk helps infants fight infections and develop healthy immune systems.
• Breastfeeding helps develop strong mother-child relationships.
• Mothers who choose to breastfeed are healthier, with less risk of ovarian and breast cancer, and wider child spacing.
• Breastfeeding families sve money on food and healthcare costs.
• Employers and communities benefit from healthier infants and children and less parent absenteeism from work.
• Breastfeeding contributes to a better environment by using less energy and creating less waste.

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