Aug. 1-7 is recognized every year as World Breastfeeding Week to bring public awareness to breastfeeding. The theme this year is "Enabling breastfeeding: Making a difference for working parents."
Workplace challenges are the most common reason for women to never breastfeed or to stop earlier than recommended. Let's look at some important questions and answers regarding this topic.
What are the benefits of a worksite breastfeeding program?
There are several benefits to providing a worksite breastfeeding program for both the employer and employee.
Here are just a few employee benefits: breastfed babies have fewer ear, respiratory and urinary tract infections, and less diarrhea; they have fewer health care visits, prescriptions and hospitalizations; women that breastfeed have reduced risk for cancer and osteoporosis.
Benefits to the employer include: lower healthcare costs, reduced absenteeism, and improved employee productivity. Since breastfeeding has been shown to reduce postpartum depression, the employee's transition back to work is often easier. Employers also find employees have better job satisfaction and loyalty since they are being supported in their efforts to care for their child.
Overall morale of the workplace tends to improve and be more positive when a breastfeeding worksite program exists.
What do employees need to be supported?
Women who return to work while continuing to breastfeed need the support of their employers and coworkers. Their needs are simple:...
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