What can employers do to support breastfeeding?
“When I was breastfeeding my daughter, we went to a café/restaurant for lunch and I fed her at the table, quite undisturbed. When we were leaving, the owner came up to me and said, “I’m really pleased that you felt comfortable about feeding your baby in my restaurant” which I found really supportive.” Employers who increase the support they provide for breastfeeding mothers, have found that there are benefits to the company as well as to families. One study carried out in two companies in America found that formula fed babies had more frequent and more severe illnesses and their mothers needed more time off work than the mothers who were breastfeeding their babies. Of the 28% of the babies who had no illnesses, 86% were breastfed and 14% formula fed. One day maternal absences were 3 times more common among mothers of formula fed babies. (Cohen et al 1995) It is therefore in your interest to support breastfeeding, as well as in the best interest of the baby. What can you do? • Ensure yo
