Guidelines for Becoming a
Recognized Breastfeeding
Friendly Worksite
Breastfeeding
Works!
References
1. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Breastfeeding Initiatives
http://www.aap.org/breastfeeding/
2. U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC)
Workplace Support
http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Workplace/Work-placeSupport/
tabid/105/Default.aspx
3. Oklahoma Pregnancy Risk Assessment
Monitoring System (PRAMS) data 2007-2008
Additional Resources
Preparing for a Lifetime Initiative
http://iio.health.ok.gov
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
(CDC) Guide to Breastfeeding Interventions
http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/resources/
guide.htm
Breastfeeding Works
http://www.breastfeedingworks.org/
The Oklahoma State Department of Health is an
Equal Opportunity Employer.
Graphic design: Marylee Wright
Office of Communications
Breastfeeding Friendly
Worksite Criteria
Minimum Requirements:
Flexible break times for expression
of milk
A comfortable location allowing
privacy for pumping, other than a
toilet stall
Access to a nearby clean water source
and a sink for washing hands and
rinsing out any breastpump equipment
Written policy supporting breastfeed-ing
that includes the above minimum
requirements and a description of how
all staff are informed of this policy
Additional Options:
Access to a refrigerator for safe storage
of milk
Prenatal breastfeeding education
Counseling by a lactation consultant
as needed
Referrals to public/private community
resources for special situations
Education for all employees on the
benefits of breastfeeding and company
services available to support breast-feeding
women
Hospital-grade breastpump available
for employee use
Oklahoma State
Departme nt of Health
Creating a State of Health
Mothers and healthcare providers
with breastfeeding questions
may call the toll free
Oklahoma Breastfeeding Hotline:
1.877.271.MILK (6455)
or
your local WIC Clinic
or 1.888.655.2942
For questions, additional
information, or an
application for recognition, contact:
Maternal & Child Health Service
405.271.4480
or visit the
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Breastfeeding Information and Support
Website:
http://bis.health.ok.gov Funding is provided by the Oklahoma State
Department of Health (OSDH), WIC Service, as
awarded by the United States Department of
Agriculture, Food & Nutrition Services.
This publication, printed by Mercury Press,
was issued by the OSDH, as authorized by
Terry Cline, Ph.D., Commissioner of Health.
5,000 copies were printed in August 2010, at a
cost of $920.04. Copies have been deposited
with the Publications Clearinghouse of the
Oklahoma Department of Libraries.
Would You Like...
Reduced staff turnover and retention
of skilled workers after the birth of
a child?
Reduced sick time/personal leave due
to a sick child?
A healthier workforce with fewer and
less expensive health insurance claims?
Enhanced job productivity, employee
satisfaction, loyalty and morale?
An enticing recruitment incentive?
A reputation as a company concerned
for the welfare of its employees and
families?
Breastfeeding Works!
The American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends exclusive breastfeeding
for the first 6 months and continued
breastfeeding for at least 1 year to
achieve optimal maternal and child health.1
About 70% of employed mothers with
children younger than 3 years of age work
full-time.2 In Oklahoma, one in five
women who stopped breastfeeding cited
returning to work or school as the reason.3
Encouraging and supporting
breastfeeding in the workplace can offer
employers tremendous rewards.
Oklahoma State
Department of Health
Maternal & Child Health Service
Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program
Chronic Disease Service
Oklahoma Turning Point Initiative
Coalition of Oklahoma
Breastfeeding Advocates
Oklahoma Healthy Mothers
Healthy Babies Coalition
This brochure and an application form
can be found on the Web at:
http://bis.health.ok.gov
Why Breastfeeding Makes
a Difference
Babies were born to be breastfed.
Human milk protects infants from
many infections and conditions:
– ear, skin, stomach, and
respiratory infections
– Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
– diarrhea, necrotizing enterocolitis
Human milk reduces infant long term
risks:
– obesity, type 1 and 2 diabetes
– asthma, and childhood leukemia
Mothers who breastfeed:
– are healthier
– have less postpartum bleeding
– return to their pre-pregnancy
weight faster
– have a reduced risk of postpartum
depression and type 2 diabetes
– have a reduced risk of breast and
ovarian cancer
Breastfeeding families save money on
food and health care costs.
Employers and communities benefit
from healthier families and less parental
absenteeism from work.
Breastfeeding is good for the environment:
– uses less energy
– creates less waste
How Employers Benefit
Employers who have adopted supportive
breastfeeding polices have noted: 2
A total cost savings benefit of $3 for
every $1 invested
Breastfeeding support at the work place
can help a company’s bottom line.
Less illness and decreased health care
costs of about $400 per breastfed baby
in the first year of life
Breastfed infants typically have fewer
sick care visits, prescriptions, and
hospital stays.
Reduced parental absenteeism to care
for ill children.
Mothers of formula-fed babies have
higher rates of 1-day work absences.
Improved employee productivity
Better health and more days at work
mean increased output.
Higher morale and greater loyalty
A supportive work environment can
boost employee satisfaction.
Improved ability to retain valuable
employees
Some women resign if they expect or
experience difficulty in continuing to
breastfeed when they return to work.
Improved ability to attract valuable
employees
Employers who are supportive of their
breastfeeding employees will have a
more positive, family-friendly image
in their community.
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