Breastfeeding Friendly Environments
Action steps to increase breastfeeding friendly environments in the state include:
Mandate that all work places allow access to private lactation rooms and appropriate breaks for nursing mothers in all work settings, not just for employers with more than 50 employees.
Research has shown that breastfeeding aids in the prevention of childhood obesity. In order to facilitate breastfeeding by working mothers, states should mandate that all employers provide private lactation rooms and ample breaks for nursing mothers to express milk. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that all employers with a more than 50 employees provide ample break and private lactation room for nursing mothers. States can go further by requiring that all employers, including small businesses, provide nursing mothers lactation breaks.
Recommended by:
- AAP Policy: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk
- Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report: Local Actions to Prevent Childhood Obesity
For more information: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guide to Breastfeeding Intervention
Pediatricians are reminded that all state advocacy efforts should be coordinated with state AAP chapters. To connect with your state AAP chapter, please visit: http://www.aap​.org/member/chapters/chaplist.cfm
Last Updated
03/15/2022
Source
American Academy of Pediatrics