My apologies to all of you who regularly read my articles. Due to a family emergency, we had to leave unexpectedly. All is well now though, and you can expect to see more from me tomorrow!
Were you a breast milk have or have not? According to an article published Sept. 1st in the New York Times,many mothers have to choose between earning a living and feeding their baby breast milk. According to the recent study, those who are high paid executives are more likely to continue breastfeeding because they have access to a “lactation” room at work, or are able to take breaks in order to pump. On the other hand, the have nots: those women with low paying jobs or jobs at the bottom of the ladder, are frequently discouraged from nursing or have to nurse in the restroom and don’t have enough break time to pump enough to keep up their supply.
Take Starbucks for example. Starbucks is known for its generous benefits to its employees. If you work in the administration of Star Bucks, you have access to a lactation room, and company policy specifically dictates that you are to be allowed the breaks necessary to pump during the day to maintain your supply. But woe to the barista at the bottom of the executive chain of command who needs to lock herself in a bathroom, intended for customer, on her regularly scheduled breaks which may or may not be when she needs to pump.
The AAP recommends breastfeeding for at least 6 months, and to continue up to a year if possible. Yet, studies show that there is a sharp divide between how long executives nurse vs. how long someone working minimum wage works.
I admit, I was a breast feeding have. I directed an after school program through 2 pregnancies. I insisted that one condition of my working be that I actually be able to bring my young baby to work to nurse. I walked around and did my duties, wearing my baby in a sling, and I nursed as needed–I didn’t even have to pump. I know most women are not so lucky.
Why should businesses care abut whether or not they provide breastfeeding support to their new mothers? First of all, it’s simple human concern. It’s just plain nice to do business that way. However, if businesses need convincing, here are a few more reasons:
Studies show that employers who make reasonable attempts to accommodate new mothers:
*Have mothers that return to work earlier
*Have mothers who are more productive on the job–despite all this pumping going on.
*Have mothers who feel less guilt ridden about leaving their babies at home–a benefit which means the company doesn’t have to lose a good worker to motherhood.
As breastfeeding becomes more acceptable, more and more companies are adopting breastfeeding policies to accomodate their new mothers.
Were you able to pump after going back to work?