Recent media attention surrounding a woman who was forced to throw away her breast milk at an airport in early February is a reminder to employers about the importance of supporting employees who breastfeed. It also illustrates the special concerns of new mothers who are required to travel as part of their jobs.
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February 14, 2007
Raleigh, NC -- Recent media attention surrounding a woman who was forced to throw away her breast milk at an airport in early February is a reminder to employers about the importance of supporting employees who breastfeed. It also illustrates the special concerns of new mothers who are required to travel as part of their jobs.
"This story points not only to the need of employers to provide lactation programs that women can rely on," said Alan King, president of Workplace Options, "but it also highlights the continued need for educating the public on the importance of breast feeding." King went on to state, "Companies that use programs such as our Advantage Nursing Assist to support nursing mothers promote retention, productivity and increased employee satisfaction."
For many mothers, returning to work is cited as the No. 1 reason they stop nursing, but breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months offers health benefits for the baby. Studies consistently show that breast milk is superior to formula because it offers protection from infections, among other benefits. Long-term studies show that breast-fed babies also have lower rates of obesity, diabetes, allergies and asthma.
From an employer perspective, breastfeeding contributes to a more productive workforce. Nursing mothers miss less work, as their infants are sick less often. Employers also see lower health care costs while keeping experienced, productive employees on the job, where they are needed. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also points to the "community" benefits of supporting breastfeeding including decreased costs for public health programs, decreased parental employee absenteeism and associated loss of family income; more time for attention to siblings and decreased environmental burden for disposal of formula cans and bottles.
Many states require or encourage support for breastfeeding employees. With a few simple guidelines, employers can adhere to many state laws and help ease the stress new nursing mothers face when returning to the workplace.
Workplace Options (WPO), the largest provider of work-life employee benefits in America, recognizes the stress new mothers endure when returning to work after maternity leave. Through its Back from maternity leave, new mothers look to employers for help with maintaining work-life balance Advantage Nursing Mother Support program, WPO offers breastfeeding support and education programs to employers and their employees. Advantage Nursing Mother Assist offers unlimited calls to a certified lactation professional as an employee benefit and provides breast pumps and other tools needed by nursing moms.
WPO offers the following tips for returning to work and breastfeeding:
- Don't start giving bottles until your milk supply is well established;
- Introduce the bottle a few weeks before you return to work;
- If you plan to supply your baby with only breast milk, get proficient at expressing milk;
- If possible, wait until your baby is sixteen weeks old before returning to work;
- Maintain a healthy diet;
- Get support at work for pumping while on the job
- Make sure your child care provider supports your decision to provide breast milk while you are at work;
- Dress for breastfeeding at work, including comfortable clothing;
- Do a couple test runs into work;
- Try to arrange your work schedule around your baby's nursing times;
- Plan ahead for business travel by storing expressed milk;
- Supplement with formula if necessary;
- Be sure your provider has extra milk on hand.
WPO also reminds employers on the various ways they can support employees who breastfeed:
- Write corporate policies to support breastfeeding women;
- Provide high-quality breast pumps; and offer professional lactation management services and support to teach employees about breastfeeding;
- Provide designated private space, that can be locked, for breastfeeding or expressing milk; including a place to wash your pump/equipment;
- Allow flexible scheduling to support milk expression during work;
- Give mothers options for returning to work, such as telecommuting, part-time work, and extended maternity leave.
About Workplace Options
Workplace Options (WPO) is America�s largest provider of work-life services. WPO�s market leading products are recognized for their innovative web delivery, flexibility and affordable pricing. Through its emindhealth division, WPO offers network management solutions that help EAP�s run their businesses more profitably and efficiently. WPO�s United Kingdom division, Employee Advisory Resource (EAR), is a premier provider of work-life services in Europe and offers EAP clients access to an expansive network of behavioral health providers throughout Europe and the World. Learn more at www.workplaceoptions.com.
This press release was distributed through eMediawire by Human Resources Marketer (HR Marketer: www.HRmarketer.com) on behalf of the company listed above.
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