In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, the San Diego County Breastfeeding
Coalition (SDCBC) will present its second annual Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Award to Naval Medical Center, Sand Diego (NMCSD). Rear Admiral R.A. Nelson and Captain W.M Heroman will accept the award at a ceremony on the quarterdeck at 9 a.m. on August 1, 1997.
The Coalition chose NMCSD to be this year's recipient because of the Navy's support of breastfeeding mothers working at the command. NMCSD created a nursing mothers' room so that female employees can maintain lactation beyond the immediate post-partum period. A storage room was equipped with a refrigerator, freezer, and breast pumps.
The new room was transformed into a cheerful location where new mothers have an
opportunity to observe role models and obtain emotional support from other breastfeeding women. More than 150 staff members have taken advantage of this room.
The nursing mothers' room provides a haven from the hectic workplace environment, allowing privacy, relaxation, comfort and comaraderie. Research has shown that companies which provide a breastfeeding friendly workplace have up to 57% less employee absenteeism due to the health benefits of breastfeeding and increased employee productivity, loyalty and morale.
The nursing mothers' room has been a catalyst for health care professionals to seek
additional lactation education in order to support Navy Families, and has been the subject
of a poster presentation at an international nurses' symposium. In addition,
"warmline" telephone access, managed by certified lactation specialists, has been implemented as a service to breastfeeding families at home. A model standard operating procedure (SOP) for breastfeeding support for the entire command is being developed and has spurred interest from commands worldwide. As part of its full commitment to breastfeeding, NMCSD has filed a letter of intent to be a WHO/UNICEF
Certified Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital.
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated internationally every year from August 1 to 7. This year's theme is "Breastfeeding: Nature's Way," focusing on the positive impact of breastfeeding on the environment. Mothers, babies, and communities all benefit from breastfeeding. Breastmilk provides the ideal nutrients appropriate for infants at all stages of development, reduces the mother's risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and also provides social and economic benefits to the family, while helping to reduce overall national health care costs.
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