Breastfeeding Friendly Workplaces
Breastfeeding Friendly Workplaces

"Supporting Working Parents, Building Stronger Teams"

Creating a breastfeeding friendly workplace is about more than compliance - it's about fostering a supportive environment where employees, businesses, and communities can thrive.

Brown County Public Health decided to focus on helping workplaces become breastfeeding friendly due to responses received from community members in the "Building a Bridge of Support: Brown County Infant Feeding Survey".
  • Brown County workplaces are the #1 place community members felt a lack of support for breastfeeding.
  • Going back to work was the #3 reason Brown County residents stopped breastfeeding.
    • #1 "did not make enough milk"
    • #2 "experience pain while breastfeeding"
 

Why it Matters? (From The Business Care for Breastfeeding: Steps for Creating a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace)
  • Less Missed Work: Breastfeeding employees miss work less often. This is because breastfed infants are usually healthier. Formula feeding parents have 3 times as many absences from work than breastfeeding parents. 
  • Lower Turnover: Employees are more likely to return to work after childbirth when their workplace provides a supportive environment for continued breastfeeding. On average, companies with lactation support programs have a 95% retention rate, compared to the national average of 59%.
  • Lower Healthcare Costs: The reduced healthcare costs for breastfed infants translates into lower medical insurance claims for businesses. Babies who are not breastfed visit the doctor more often, spend more days in the hospital, and require more prescriptions than breastfed infants.
  • Higher Productivity and Loyalty: Employees whose companies provide breastfeeding support consistently report improved morale, better satisfaction with their jobs, and higher productivity. They also feel the support eases their transition back to work and enables them to return from maternity leave sooner.
  • Ensures Compliance with Legal Requirements: Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), as amended by the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (the PUMP Act), most nursing employees have the right to reasonable break time and a private place to pump breast milk while at work. This right is available each time the employee needs to pump for up to 1 year after their nursing child's birth.
    • U.S. Department of Labor. Section 7(r) of the Fair Labors Standards Act - Break Time for Nursing Mothers Provision. Available HERE.
 

How Brown County Public Health Can Help

Brown County Public Health works with businesses of all sizes to create environments where breastfeeding employees can thrive. Here is what we offer:
  • Personalized Consultations: We will help you assess your current workplace and identify ways to support breastfeeding employees.
  • Policy Development Support: Need help creating a lactation policy? We have templates and expertise to guide you.
  • Lactation Room Guidance: From space requirements to setup tips, we will help you create a comfortable and compliant lactation space.
  • Training for Managers and Staff: Ensure your team understands and supports breastfeeding rights in the workplace.
  • Ongoing Support: Have questions? Need resources? We are just a call or email away.
 

Ready to Get Started?

Creating a breastfeeding-friendly workplace is easier than you think, and we are here to make it happen. Complete this online form and someone will be in touch to discuss the next steps:Let's work together to support your employees and create a stronger, healthier workplace and community!
 



Resources for Employers:

Resources for Employees: