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Breastfeeding Mother Friendly Workplace Policy A. BACKGROUND Research has shown over and over again that human milk and breastfeeding of children provide advantages with regard to general health, growth, and development, while significantly decreasing the risk for a large number of acute and chronic diseases. This results in a significant reduction in health care costs . Research in developed countries provides strong evidence that human milk feeding decreases the incidence and/or severity of diarrhea, lower respiratory infection, otitis media, and many other disease conditions affecting children. There are a number of studies that show a possible protective effect of human milk feeding against sudden infant death syndrome, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, lymphoma, allergic disease, and other chronic digestive diseases. In addition, breastfeeding has been strongly related to enhancement of cognitive development. Breastfeeding has been linked to a lower rate of osteoporosis and ovarian cancer in the mother. A study done in an HMO in 1997 found that for the first year of life the average total medical costs of breastfed infants was $200 less than those of bottle fed infants(.Am. Journal of Man Care 1997; 3:861-865.) Breastmilk is ideal nutrition for infants and breastmilk alone is the only food infants need for growth and development for the first six months of life. Gradual introduction of iron rich solid foods in the second half of the first year should complement the breast milk. In 1997 the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) made the following recommendations:
Women with infants and children below age three are the fastest growing segment of today's labor force. At least 50% of women who are employed when they become pregnant return to the labor force by the time their child is three months old. Women who wish to continue breastfeeding after returning to work have relatively few and simple needs; availability of suitable, dependable efficient breast pumps; a convenient, safe, private and comfortable location at the worksite; and the ability to take two or three breaks during the work shift to pump.BREASTFEEDING RATES IN OREGON* AND THE U.S. 1995
*Oregon breastfeeding rates are derived from the Newborn Screening Program. In 1997, the United States had one of the lowest breastfeeding rates of all industrialized nations and one of the highest rates for infant mortality. The rates of breastfeeding are lower among women with limited income and in ethnic minorities. Many women initiate breastfeeding, but quit by the time the infant is two weeks old. Difficulties breastfeeding and the lack of support of the family, the medical system, the community and the work place; are known to reduce the duration of breastfeeding. There are very few employers that have a workplace environment that supports breastfeeding. Although economic, cultural, and political pressures often confound decisions about infant feeding, the AAP firmly adheres to the position that breastfeeding ensures the best possible health as well as the best developmental and psychosocial outcomes for the infant. Enthusiastic support and involvement of all health organizations, especially public health organizations in promotion of breastfeeding and assuring a supportive environment for successful breastfeeding is essential to the achievement of optimal infant and child health, growth, and development. C. GOAL The Oregon Health Services will set an example for employers in breastfeeding promotion for working families by developing and implementing a workplace breastfeeding promotion policy. This policy will also serve as a way to promote breastfeeding as a normal part of daily life and is an important part of community support for breastfeeding. D. BENEFITS TO THE OREGON HEALTH SERVICES AS AN EMPLOYER After initiating lactation programs many employers have seen positive results in the workplace such as lower absenteeism, high productivity, high company loyalty, high employee morale, and lower health care costs. Because an ill child is a frequent cause of absenteeism among employed mothers and fathers, worksite programs that aim to improve child health may also bring about a reduction in absenteeism. Mothers with a formula fed child missed a days work because their children were ill three times more often than breastfed children. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
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