I know, it seems like I'm obsessed with breasts. I promise no more breast talk for at least a week after this.
Still, I did want to mention that it is World Breastfeeding Week. It's a worldwide huge event and it's an extremely important week for mothers and babies. Some of you, I bet, are breastfeeding mothers who work in an office setting.
At this point if you are not a breastfeeding mother or partner of a breastfeeding mother it may be time to head over to another Know More Media blog; I'll even find you a few posts to read. Here, the other big event of the week, the Murdoch, Wall Street Journal saga:
Biz Cradle has one strong view about the topic and Ad Hurl has a very different view. Believe me, you do not want to miss the soap opera between these two blogs. Or maybe you do, in that case, head over to the much safer Marketing Blurb for another take on the situation.
Mothers and partners of mothers are you still with me? Good. Let's discuss your rights in the office surrounding breastfeeding.
The United States has poor laws regarding issues such as pumping breastmilk in the workplace but don't let that stop you from breastfeeding your baby. You still have rights.
In Las Cruces, New Mexico there is a House Bill "Use of a Breast Pump in the Workplace" act, that just went into effect July 1. This kind of news is positive for working mothers but not all states provide this kind of support.
The Las Cruces act states:
"The employer must provide a space for using the breast pump that is: clean and private, near the employee's workspace and not a bathroom. Also an employer must provide flexible break times.
The employer is not liable for: storage and refrigeration of breast milk, payment for a nursing mother's break time in addition to employee breaks, payment of overtime while a nursing mother is using a breast pump."
So, the law's not perfect but it's a good start. These are the topics to focus on when you speak with your boss about coming back to work after maternity leave. If your boss balks remind him or her that babies who get breastmilk are healthier than babies who get formula -- so you'll have fewer sick days.
BusinessWeek reports, "For companies, it makes financial sense to encourage mothers to continue breastfeeding when they get back to work. Babies get sick less often, and employee retention goes up." This BusinessWeek article also discusses the convience of lactation rooms at the office.
If you're going to pump at work make sure you have, a good, high quality breast pump, carrier, and cooler. Plenty of storage containers, an extra shirt (in case of leaks) and breastpads.
If you have your own office space or cubicle that's lucky because it'll give you some privacy. If you don't, petition hard for a private space. Many businesses are adding rooms for pumping to their offices -- but that's likely because a mother raised the issue. You can make a difference in your workplace too.
To learn about current laws regarding breastfeeding and pumping at the office visit WomensHealth.gov.
For one mother's take on pumping at work read this: Is the Breast Pump the New Blackberry
Is your office breastfeeding / pumping friendly?
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