Breastfeeding in the Workplace Getting Easier

By: Kim Eiten - Email

Updated: Fri 9:42 PM, Aug 10, 2012

For more information, visit: http://www.cdhd.ne.gov/

Specialists say breastfeeding has countless health benefits.

"It's really healthy for the babies. It's really healthy for the moms. It saves us all money," said Jane Miller, Central District Health Department Lactation Specialist.

And, it could even save money in the business world.

"It's good for everybody," Miller said.

She said seventy-five percent of moms work or go to school, so having a place like a lactation room to pump breastmilk can ease the transition.

"When you feel you've got that balance going, when you feel like I'm being the best I can as a mother and an employee, you're more committed to both," Miller said.

That's something Nancy Wren can attest to with both her children.

"I did pump, so both had breastmilk for almost three months," she said.

Those three months entailed balancing work, breastfeeding and life as a new parent.

"Once you can get it and get it going then it's great, a great benefit for your child," Wren said.

But, she said finding that balance wasn't easy.

"The stress of getting back to work and that sort of thing, it changes your whole mentality," Wren said. "The baby's not right there. It was harder to do it at work."

Fortunately, her workplace helped. She said she was free to take a break to pump anytime.

It's something she said not only benefitted her and her kids, but the business itself.

"Cut down for them on expenses, their cost of having sick children, of losing employee hours because they're home with sick children," Wren said."

And, Miller said to achieve that only takes a few simple steps and one private room.

"If it's wide enough for a chair, the mom can sit down," Miller said. "They can put a lock on the door. It meets the requirement."

Federal law requires businesses with more than fifty employees to provide break time for and a private area for nursing mothers to pump.

Miller said some local businesses have gone above and beyond.