Breastfeeding in the Workplace

The benefits of breastfeeding your child are numerous. Not to mention the incredible bond a mother and child share in such an intimate moment, the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment comes along with it as well. To hold your child and know that all he needs is you is the most incredible feeling in the world.

However, in this day in age, the world seems to be becoming less and less geared towards breastfeeding and opts for the more efficient choice of formula. With the many demands for a woman these days, not all of us have the option or desire to stay at home with our children. Employers do not always make it an easy feat for a working mom to continue to breastfeed after returning to work. There are a plethora of breast pumps and storage containers for milk to help the working mother breastfeed and still maintain her employment; however, there are no laws that grant a woman the right to pump milk in the workplace. The best a mother can do is to discuss the situation with their employer before returning to work and hope that they will be understanding. However, many employers do not understand the physical need to empty the breasts or the risk for unwanted infection. Not only that, but breastfeeding has been proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer. It stops infections and bacteria in its tracks, leaving breastfed babies much healthier than formula fed babies. Some employers might say that your child could just stop breastfeeding and the need would go away, but what about people who smoke? Do they have to clock out every time they take a "smoke break?" You could arguably say that if they quit smoking, then maybe that need would go away too.

Right now, legislation to protect breastfeeding mothers is pending. Carolyn Maloney, a congresswoman from New York is working on a bill regarding this very issue. HR 285 is an extremely comprehensive bill that will protect a mother's right to express breast milk while at work to continue breastfeeding her child. It will provide tax incentives to employers who make expenditures for breast pumps and other lactation accommodations and will regulate performance standards for breast pumps. As of now, this has not been legalized. We can all make a step in the right direction by writing to our own congress members to help the advancement of this bill.

It is of utmost importance that we recognize the rights of all mothers alike to allow them to provide the best for their children. Today's children are tomorrow's leaders, and every child starts out as an infant with certain nutritional needs. Especially in this day where new diseases and infections are popping up like wildfire, it is our responsibility to raise healthy children with strong immune systems. I strongly recommend that you write to your congress man/woman and make a valid effort to get HR 285 passed.