employer information

Eight Easy Steps for Supporting

Companies that recognize to accommodate these breaks. At least four weeks is needed to
breastfeeding as a benefit to the For example, if two, 15-minute establish the mother’s milk supply
workplace can encourage that breaks are allowed employees, the and for mother and baby to become
recognition in all their employees. breastfeeding employee starts work comfortable with breastfeeding.
Some workplace conditions to help 10 minutes earlier and leaves work Mothers with a longer leave are
the breastfeeding employee include: 10 minutes later to allow for two, more prepared when they return to

1
25 minute breaks. work.
A written policy which

3 6
states the employer’s A private area is available Part-time employment,
support of a woman’s right to for breastfeeding or job sharing, flexible work
breastfeed her child and describes expressing milk. The room and leave schedules, and/or
the worksite accommodations should be quiet and clean and a gradual return to work. These
and/or benefits available to her. (A) ideally have enough room for options support breastfeeding
The policy is part of the employer’s a comfortable chair and a safe mothers and all employees in
written policy on parenting and/or electrical outlet. A clean, safe general.
maternity benefits. (B) All pregnant water source and a sink should be

7
employees are informed of this available somewhere within the Availability of childcare in
policy as early in their pregnancy worksite for washing hands and an on-site or near-site
as possible. (C) New employees cleaning pumping equipment. facility. This option makes
are informed of the existence of it possible for the breastfeeding

4
this policy or are given a copy as A place for storing mother to nurse her baby instead of
part of new employee orientation. breastmilk such as an pumping breastmilk for later use.
employee refrigerator or a

8
(D) Encourage co-workers and
safe place to keep an ice chest or Employer-provided
management to have a positive,
thermos. breastfeeding education
accepting attitude toward
and support before and after
breastfeeding employees.
the birth. An employee assistance

2
A 20-30 minute break both in Conditions that provide person, an employee with interest
the morning and afternoon additional support... and concern about breastfeeding, or
for the woman to (A) a work group could design this.

5
nurse her child or (B) express
her breastmilk. If necessary, Maternity leave of at least
the beginning and/or ending six weeks, or the more
times of work can be adjusted common, three months.
1of 2
The Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington, a program of WithinReach, www.withinreachwa.org
 Employer information

This support system

2. On-site prenatal/postpartum
classes or support groups. This can
be done during a lunch break in a
“brown-bag” format.

3. Information about breastfeeding

Helpful Websites
and encourage breastfeeding United States Breastfeeding
Motherwear,
www.motherwear.com among their workforce. Specific Committee (USBC)
information about lactation www.usbreastfeeding.org
Publishes and distributes free
programs and their costs is
literature on breastfeeding The USBC is a collaborative
available an eight page issue brief
including worksite support for partnership of organizations.
entitled, Breastfeeding Support at
breastfeeding employees. The mission of the committee is
the Workplace.
to protect, promote and support
The National Business
Center for Disease Control breastfeeding in the U.S. This
Group on Health, www. http://www.cdc.gov/ website contains useful information
businessgrouphealth.org breastfeeding/index.htm about working and breastfeeding,
Represents over 200 employers, including a helpful checklist for
Provides various employment breastfeeding accommodations
health care companies, benefits related information including
consultants and vendors. This in the workplace: http://www.
Lactation Support Programs in usbreastfeeding.org/publications.
non-profit organization is devoted Federal Workplaces; information
to finding innovative and forward- html.
on Healthy People 2010, National
thinking solutions to health care Objectives on Breasfeeding; and
and related benefit issues. The In Washington State
the CDC Guide to Breastfeeding
National Business Group on The Breastfeeding Coalition
Interventions, a document which lists
Health has an online resource to of Washington, a program
promising breastfeeding promotion
raise awareness of health and cost of WithinReach, 206-281-
activities including support for
benefits of breastfeeding employers 8032 or www.withinreachwa.
breastfeeding in the workplace:
and business leaders with org/bcw. Includes information
http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/
relevant information to support on breastfeeding, legislation,
pdf/BF_guide_2.pdf.
discrimination and more.

11000 Lake City Way NE, Suite 301 • Seattle, WA 98125

The Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington, a program of WithinReach, withinreachwa.org 2 of 2