89% of mothers in San Diego County choose to breastfeed their infants. These women, who are at a critical juncture in their lives, form an important part of any business. One of the most important aspects to successful breastfeeding is the support of the public which is around them when mothers must feed their infants while out of the house.
Merchants play an important part in this support as breastfeeding women enter their business. If merchants wish to inform breastfeeding women that they are welcome in their establishment, they can do the following:
- Display a "Breastfeeding Welcome Here" sticker.
- Treat women who breastfeed in their store just like women who offer their babies a bottle.
- Share with employees the meaning of this sticker and the store's policy to make breastfeeding mothers as welcome as possible, especially when they need to offer a hungry or fussy baby the breast in your store.
Be assured that discretion is a major concern of most women who breastfeed, and that community groups work with breastfeeding mothers to show them how they can breastfeed without embarrassment to themselves or others.
Infants who are breastfed are smarter, less likely to suffer from most childhood illnesses, and are less likely to die from all causes, including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Mothers who breastfeed miss less work due to sick infants. New research suggests that older children and adults who were breastfed as infants have less illnesses as well. Breastmilk is extremely cost effective, resulting in less health care expenditures, no wasted dollars on formula, energy to prepare and clean feeding utensils, and less cans in our landfills.
Help support the resurgence of breastfeeding in our society and enjoy the patronage of these customers. We look forward to hearing from merchants soon so that we can tell new mothers that they are welcome in these businesses -- with their babies! If we can help with any of the above or with information about other ways you can be of help to breastfeeding mothers, including your employees, please call us at 1-800-371-MILK(6455).