AUGUST 2015
August is World Breastfeeding Month
According to the CDC's Guide, Strategies to Support Breastfeeding Mothers and Babies, mothers are one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. labor force. In 2012, 57% of all mothers with infants were employed.

 

Research shows that support for nursing moms at work benefits not only families but employers as well by improving productivity, enhancing the employer's public image and decreasing absenteeism, health care costs, and employee turnover.

 

Make your business breastfeeding-friendly:
  • Develop a corporate policy to support breastfeeding women. 
  • Provide a designated private space for women to breastfeed or express milk. 
  • Allow flexible scheduling to support milk expression during work. 
  • Offer mothers options for returning to work, such as teleworking, part-time work, or extended maternity leave. 
  • Provide on-site or nearby child care. 
  • Provide a high-quality, multi-user breast pump.
  • Allow babies at the workplace. 
  • Offer professional lactation management services and support.

Congratulations to HMB mini-grant recipients!
Nine Healthiest Maryland Businesses (including two on the mid-shore) were recently awarded mini-grants to help support breastfeeding employees. 

Charles County Department of Health  
cute little boy of 4 months on a white background
Choptank Transport 
Head Start of Washington County
Howard County General Hospital
St. Mary's County Department of Health
Maugansville Elementary School
MedStar St. Mary's Hospital
Queen Anne's Co. Department of Health
Western Maryland Hospital Center
Nominations open for DC/Maryland Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Awards
Nominations are now open for the 6th Annual Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Awards and the 2nd Annual Healthcare Provider Office Awards!

The DC Breastfeeding Coalition (DCBFC) and the Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition (MBC) join hands once again to recognize work sites within the District, Maryland and Northern Virginia who are committed to promoting and protecting their female employees' rights to provide human milk to their infants as long as they may choose. Sixty businesses have been honored with this award since 2010.

 

For the second year the Coalitions will also be recognizing Healthcare Provider offices (OB, Pediatric and Family Practice) that promote and support breastfeeding through the combination of a conducive office environment and education of healthcare professionals, office staff and families. Please see and share the press release and nomination forms for the Workplace Awards and Healthcare Provider Offices Awards

 

WEBINAR  

Breastfeeding and the Workplace: Success Takes a Team

Research shows that employers want to support employees who are breastfeeding, yet are often unsure of the basic requirements for supporting breastfeeding mothers. Learn more during this free, live webinar.

 

Thursday, August 6th 

8:30am - 10:30am

 Sponsored by the School of Public Health, University at Albany.



Nicole Morris, MS, RN, CWWS
Regional Lead
Healthiest Maryland Businesses

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