Breastfeeding Makes Good Business Sense

Providing lactation accommodations in the workplace saves employers money and doesn’t require a lot of resources.  A federal law now requires employers to provide breastfeeding employees with time and a space to express milk. Click here to read more about this important law.

Employers whose companies provide breastfeeding support report up to a 3:1 return on investment including these proven benefits:

• Decreased healthcare costs ($3.6 billion in the US, approximately $400/baby for 1st year)
• Employers experience less staff absenteeism (Mothers take 5-29 sick days per year to care for sick children which costs employers $2-$12 billion annually)
• Reduced staff turnover
• Improved productivity among breastfeeding parents
• Higher morale and greater loyalty
• Improved ability to attract and retain valuable employees
• Family-friendly image in the community

To provide lactation accommodations in the workplace, there are Three Essential Elements to consider:

1. Space: secure, comfortable, clean and private
2. Time: flexibility—breaks, lunch, flextime
3. Support: breastfeeding friendly workplace policies

How can the Louisiana Breastfeeding Coalition help your business? The LBC can:

• Serve as a resource for your Breastfeeding Program development by:
  • providing technical assistance with developing a breastfeeding policy and establishing a space
  • providing breastfeeding education resources/literature and referral information for your wellness program
• Participate in Health Fairs and can provide a Lunch & Learn program
• Enroll you in the LBC’s Employer Recognition Program and designate you as a “Mother- Friendly” Business on the LBC’s website
• Include your business in articles and press releases that are conducted regarding the program

Key Resources

National Business Group on Health: Investing in Workplace Breastfeeding Programs and Policies.

A comprehensive tool kit for employers that covers everything from starting a workplace lactation program to measuring success.  This toolkit also references model health plans, other ways to support breastfeeding employees and resources.  To download the toolkit, click here.

CDC Healthier Worksite Initiative-Lactation Support Program Toolkit

This toolkit provides an example of how to create a comprehensive lactation, or breastfeeding, support program for nursing mothers at the work site. For more information and to download materials, click here.

Department of Labor- Federal Break Time for Nursing Mothers Law

Congress recently passed new federal health reform, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, into law. This law went into effect when the Act was signed on March 23,2010. Section 4207 of the law requires all employers to provide:

1. Reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the child’s birth each time such employee has need to express milk, and

2. A place, other than a bathroom, for the employee to express breast milk.

For more information about the law, visit the Department of Labor’s website or download this Fact Sheet.

The Business Case for Breastfeeding

The Business Case for Breastfeeding (BCB) is a comprehensive program designed to educate employers about the value of supporting breastfeeding employees in the workplace. It is packaged in an easy-to-use toolkit with different sections for employers, employees, and educators.  The toolkit also offers guidance to employees on breastfeeding and working.

For more information or to order The Business Case for Breastfeeding Tool Kit and materials, visit their website.