Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace


When working moms have new babies, it is often challenging to continue nursing when they go back to the office, but some business are taking steps to make breastfeeding easier for moms.
If you know of an employer who is breastfeeding friendly in Central Illinois, you can nominate them for an award from the breastfeeding task force. Here are the guidelines:Bronze:

  • gives time for milk expression
  • offers a private, clean non-bathroom space

Silver:

  • same requirements as above, plus
  • sink in the room
  • comfortable chair
  • refrigerator

Gold:

  • same requirements as above, plus
  • has an electric pump and/or accessories available
  • subsidizes the purchase of a pump/kit

If you live in Illinois and your employer does not meet that the "Bronze" standards they are breaking the law. The Central Illinois Breastfeeding Task force has a letter you can send your administrators that explains the law in a "nice" way.

If you want a copy of the letter or you want to nominate your place of business for a "breastfeeding is good business" award,

email Shannon at cibtf {at} yahoo {dot} com.

The task force asked several local moms to pose for a poster campaign. The pictures I posted are from the awareness campaign. I believe the poster will say something like "I breastfed my kids. You can too." The idea is to normalize breastfeeding so women are more likely to feel comfortable about doing it.

If you are a breastfeeding mom, do you have any ideas for spreading the word about the benefits of breastfeeding without offending moms who choose not to? If you bottle fed your kids, what type of breastfeeding campaigns bother you and why?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

3 comments:

Shannon said...

Thanks again for everything Jen... it was nice to get the word out and it was nice to be back on TV, even though I was way nervous! :)

Just a reminder that anyone who can't make tomorrow's deadline can still let the CIBTF know about their awesome, supportive employers and we'll try to get them recognition in future award cycles with the state task force.

And those pics... so GREAT!!!!!

Jen Christensen said...

It was so much fun! I am more than happy to get the word out about the benefits of breastfeeding. I certianly don't want to make anyone who doesn't breastfeed feel like they're doing something wrong, but I have talked to a lot of women who just don't know much about it...maybe this will help!

Shannon said...

Just a note that the deadline has been extended to May 15th, so anyone interested in nominating their business can still contact us!

 
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