The International Formula Council (IFC) and its members support the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) position that breastfeeding is the best form of infant nutrition.  Additionally, the IFC strongly supports positive promotion of breastfeeding and is pleased that, through a concerted effort by the health community, government, and industry, breastfeeding rates in the United States have increased during the past decade.

The IFC also believes that mothers have the right to full access to all available information on infant feeding options and practices, as well infant formula samples, where and when the mother and/or a healthcare provider find it to be appropriate, such as when discharged from the hospital.

Workplace: A Barrier to Breastfeeding

The August 2006 edition of Women’s Health Issues indicated that women who are employed full-time are significantly less likely to initiate breastfeeding or to breastfeed at all.  According to the study, full-time employment has a strong negative impact on a mother’s decision to breastfeed.  There are several major factors that affect full-time employment and breastfeeding:  

• Lack of space or time to express breast milk
• Lack of support from co-workers and employers
• Real or perceived low supply of milk

A study, 2007 Work, Family Index: How Does the U.S. Measure Up? conducted by Harvard University and McGill University, shows that the United States ranks the lowest when it comes to working women’s rights.  A February 2007 press release included key highlights from the 2007 study:

• At least 107 countries protect working women’s right to breastfeed and the breaks are paid in at least 73 of these countries.  The U.S. does not guarantee the right to breastfeed.
  
  
• At least 145 countries provide paid sick days for short- or long-term illnesses, with 127 providing a week or more annually.  The U.S. provides unpaid leave only for serious illnesses (including maternity leave) through the Family & Medical Leave Act, which does not cover 40% of private sector workers, and has no federal law providing for paid sick days.

Breastfeeding and Workplace Initiatives

The National Partnership for Women and Families (NPWF) has been working for decades to promote and preserve the rights of working mothers and their families.  In 1993, NPWF helped pass the Family and Medical Leave Act, which allows up to 12 weeks maternity leave for new mothers.  In 2007, NPWF is promoting the Healthy Family Act, which provides paid sick leave for employees to use to take care of themselves and others (e.g., elderly family members and children).  For more information on these initiatives, please visit www.nationalpartnership.org.

The Families and Work Institute began in 1989 and addresses issues on workplace, parenting, youth development, and education.  The organization published the 2005 National Study of Employers.  For more information, visit www.familiesandwork.org.

According to their online press release:

• Small businesses are helping to drive changes in the structure of work, offering employees more opportunities for workplace flexibility, while large organizations are providing more benefits that have direct costs.

With the goal of providing workplace support for breastfeeding mothers, some IFC member companies have independently created programs to increase breastfeeding rates in the U.S.  According to their web site, Abbott’s Ross Products Division has a successful lactation program in place to support working mothers.  Business Backs Breastfeeding™: A Flexible Workplace Lactation Program for Breastfeeding Mothers (pdf) offers breastfeeding support in the workplace as a unique opportunity for employers to promote the health and welfare of their employees and their families, as well as increase breastfeeding duration rates.  Reviewed by a panel of experts from the fields of medicine, infant nutrition, and lactation, this turnkey program provides instructions, tips, and template materials to help employers support mothers who choose to continue breastfeeding after returning to work. 

Promotion of Business Backs Breastfeeding™ is made possible in collaboration with Working Mother Media, which provides information to working mothers and balance seekers.  Visit www.workingmother.com and you will see a list of “100 Best Companies for Working Mothers.”