How to Make Work and Breastfeeding Work

Helping women find conditions for breastfeeding are better for businesses as they would save long-term on the time-off moms must take with their babies (formula babies are sick more often) as well as healthcare costs for this employee. It would make women employees feel better about themselves as they are allowed to do what they know is best for their babies, yet not enough women push for it with their legislators. In fact many new moms return to work earlier if they know that they can pump at work, so the employer benefits. In our day of skyrocketing healthcare costs, as much as $4 billion could be saved a year by mothers breastfeeding and babies being sick less. These benefits of breastfeeding should be easy for business leaders to see, but reality does not show this to be true.

Though ludicrous and unreasonable, many employers see breastfeeding as a lifestyle choice (like smoking), and feel that they are not entitled to special treatment. Pushing for legislative changes in your particular state as well as federal laws would be the only way to prevent other moms from being frustrated and torn having to choose between work and baby.

The best way to approach this situation in your professional environment is to show your superiors the benefits of breastfeeding to the organization. You may want to approach the situation during your preparations for maternity leave, so that you and your boss knows you have a game plan. Show your boss a realistic plan that you are proposing that will allow you to pump at work and compensate for the time you missed working (for example you will pump for 15 during your breaks twice a day and only take a 30 min lunch; or you will work extra at the end of the work day to compensate for the time you missed).

You may want to come in prepared knowing what is allowed for other employees in your organization (if others are allowed a cigarette break, you should be given the same time “off” even if others are not comfortable with it). Another concern with breastfeeding at work has to do with the place you can do it discretely. Though it would be nice if there were specially-dedicated areas for nursing mothers in every workplace, it is not likely a reality in most work environments. Before approaching you boss, see what areas area available and would give you the quiet place you could use for pumping. Toilets are not a good alternative, but perhaps there is a spare office or storage room. You may need to come up with a sign “do not disturb,” but be sure you have your supervisor’s approval. Once you have your bosses approval, it would be a good idea to invest into buying or renting efficient breast pump that would let you pump faster.

The main part of breastfeeding at work is getting your superiors and your co-workers to be on your side. Confrontation and negativity will not reflect well on you and your performance at work, so try to be as positive as possible about what may feel like an ordeal. Be confident that what you are doing is ultimately the best thing for you and your baby.

Working It Out: Breastfeeding at Work