• Benefits of Breastmilk • What You Can Do • A Breastfeeding Policy for Employees • Breastfeeding Procedures

In 2006, 91% of new Peterborough mothers chose to breastfeed. That's great, because breastfeeding is the best thing to do.  It's natural - anytime, anywhere. 

The Canadian Pediatric Society recently endorsed the recommendation that women provide children with only breastmilk for the first six months of life, and continue to breastfeed up to two years or longer, with the introduction of solid foods at six months of age.  Many mothers don't continue to breastfeed for as long as they would like.  Some women find it awkward to nurse their babies, or express milk in the workplace if they feel intimidated by the attitudes or reactions of those around them. 
 

Workplace practices can assist women to continue to breastfeed and help them to balance work and family life.  The decision to implement supportive practices or develop a policy depends on what will work for your organization. Benefits of Breast Milk You can support your breastfeeding employees with minimal investment and can reap the benefits that come from employees with healthier babies.

For Employer

• Absenteeism is lower by 27% for breastfeeding mothers.
• Worker productivity and morale is improved.
• Staff turnover is less.

For Mother

• The incidence of breast and ovarian cancer and 
  osteoporosis is reduced. 
• A woman's self-confidence is boosted because the 
  mother-infant bond is maintained.
• Breast milk saves families approximately $120 per month. 
 

For Baby • With exclusive breastfeeding   to six months, upper   respiratory infections are   reduced by 75% and ear   infections by 50%. • With exclusive breastfeeding   to six months, childhood    cancers are reduced by six   times and childhood diabetes   by 30%.

• The incidence and severity of asthma and allergies is 
  less, and the development of Crohn's disease and high
  cholesterol in adulthood is reduced.
• Children have improved development and higher 
  academic scores into secondary school.
• Vision and speech development is improved.

 

What You Can Do

Have and promote an encouraging attitude towards breastfeeding.

Your workplace can provide the support that a breastfeeding mother needs.  Inform all staff of the 
benefits of breastfeeding and of their roles in supporting breastfeeding women.

Establish appropriate facilities for breastfeeding or expressing breast milk by providing some or all of:

• a clean, private, pleasant room with a "Room In Use" sign;
• a baby changing and hand washing area;
• a comfortable chair;
• a rented or purchased breast pump on a table near an
  outlet (a double pumping kit will reduce pumping time);
• access to refrigeration or cooler with ice packs; and
• easy access to parking if breastfeeding is off-site.

 

Provide flexible scheduling by offering:

• an extended maternity leave;
• job sharing;
• part time hours;
• a leave of absence; or 
• an extended lunch or breaks which can be made up 
  at other times.

Breastfeeding women will need approximately 30 minutes to express milk each time.  When women are away from their baby for 9 hours, if baby is 3 months, they will pump 3 times; 6 months, they will pump twice; and 10 months, they will pump once.

Consider developing a breastfeeding policy and procedures.

Below is a sample policy which could serve as a prototype for your workplace. 

We wish you success in promoting breastfeeding in your organization.  Supporting breastfeeding in your workplace just makes sense!
 

For additional information, please call  Dawn Hanes, Public Health Nurse,  at the Peterborough County-City Health Unit at  743-1000

 

A Breastfeeding Policy for Employees

The (insert workplace) recognizes that breastmilk is the optimal food for healthy growth and development of infants. The (insert workplace) promotes and supports breastfeeding and the expression of breastmilk by employees who are breastfeeding when they return to work.

Management staff of (insert workplace) shall work with breastfeeding employees to determine mutually agreeable hours of work, assignments and breaks which support breastfeeding practices, and are compatible with the collective agreement and other policies.

Breastfeeding Procedures

The Peterborough County-City Health Unit developed the following  procedures for their Breastfeeding Workplace policy.

1. Supervisors will advise staff of the breastfeeding policy and the supports available if they wish to breastfeed following return from Pregnancy/Parental Leave.

2. Supervisors will meet with employees returning from  Pregnancy/Parental Leave, to establish a schedule and assignment that facilitates breastfeeding. The employee is responsible to make up time missed from work.

3. The Multi-Purpose Room can be booked (for 30 minute periods) for women who wish privacy in order to breastfeed or express breastmilk. 

4. Employees are encouraged to address individuals with concerns about breastfeeding in public by providing information about the benefits of breastfeeding and the importance of supportive environments.