What you can do to help
Businesses
- Create a breastfeeding-friendly work environment.
- Provide a place for breastfeeding moms to feed or pump in private.
- Give breastfeeding employees breaks for feeding or pumping.
- Provide pamphlets and resources about returning to work and breastfeeding.
- Create a breastfeeding-friendly atmosphere for clients.
New Online Guide for the "Break for Nursing Mothers" Law:
www.usbreastfeeding.org/workplace-law
Here are some items that may be useful in the development of the policy for Employee Lactation Accommodation:
Self-Appraisal Tool:
http://www.breastfeedingworks.org/images/stories/pdfs/Toolkit/Employer_Assessment_Tool.pdf
CA and Federal Law:
http://www.breastfeedingworks.org/images/stories/pdfs/Toolkit/Lactation_Accommodation_Laws_v_2.pdf
Tools to Help Build a Policy:
http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/government-in-action/business-case-for-breastfeeding/policy-for-supporting-breastfeeding-employees.pdf
http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/government-in-action/business-case-for-breastfeeding/lactation-program-assessment-form.pdf
Guide on how to support breastfeeding employees:
http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/government-in-action/business-case-for-breastfeeding/easy-steps-to-supporting-breastfeeding-employees.pdf
Break Times for Nursing Mothers:
http://www.dol.gov/whd/nursingmothers/
Sample Policy from the CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/lactation_support_program.pdf
Medical personnel
- Don't be neutral! You know breastmilk is superior to Formula. Say so!
- Provide informational resources about breastfeeding to expectant mothers.
- Be knowledgeable about breastfeeding and its benefits. (LINK: what med personnel should know)
- Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
- Don’t separate mom and baby after birth.
- Encourage rooming in.
- Get to know your local lactation consultants.
- Don’t hand out formula samples or coupons for formula.
- Be knowledgeable about alternative medications that are safe for babies (LINK).
Community members
- Be supportive of moms breastfeeding in public.
- Encourage moms who are breastfeeding.
- Write a letter to your local representatives to encourage support of breastfeeding.
- Help create a breastfeeding friendly community.
- Share your knowledge with others about the benefits of breastfeeding.
Relatives
- Encourage moms who are breastfeeding.
- Help nursing moms with household chores.
- Remember that babies need more than breast milk—they need lots of holding and comforting from you.
- Share your knowledge with others about the benefits of breastfeeding.