By Rebecca Costello, IBCLC
There’s something we notice about WBWC patients – they don’t do things just because “that’s the way it’s always been done” – they ask questions and check to see whether there are better options out there! So we aren’t surprised when we hear from our patients who want to improve the way their workplace deals with moms who return to work while still breastfeeding/pumping milk for their babies. Many of them also know that the Affordable Care Act provides protections for nursing mothers. Employers are required to give mothers time to pump, AND a private space that is NOT a bathroom. To help you advocate for yourself and others, we’ve put together a list of resources that may be useful:
1) U.S. Department of Labor information on the Break Time for Nursing Mothers requirement: https://www.dol.gov/whd/nursingmothers/
Includes Frequently Asked Questions, an Employee Rights Card, and How to File a Complaint. There is also information in Spanish.
2) U.S. Office of Women’s Health information for employers: https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/employer-solutions/
An excellent set of resources for employers who are not sure how to structure pumping breaks and space. There are videos and illustrated guides, broken down by type of industry (for example, retail, education, agriculture, manufacturing, food service, even mining!) Each category has examples of real business who are successfully supporting their employees.
3) The Business Case for Breastfeeding: https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-home-work-and-public/breastfeeding-and-going-back-work/business-case
More resources for employers and employees, including information for employers on the benefits and importance of supporting breastfeeding.
4) Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute’s Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care project: https://sph.unc.edu/cgbi/breastfeeding-friendly-child-care-job-aids/
It’s not just about the mom pumping – it’s also about how the baby is fed while they are away from mom! Here are resources for helping your child’s daycare become more breastfeeding-friendly.
Of course, you can always call on your WBWC lactation consultants for help and advice. We are here for you any time!