Workplace Lactation Support Programs: A WinWin

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Workplace Lactation Support Programs A Win-Win

• September 15, 2008
• Esther K. Chung, MD, MPH
• Associate Professor of Pediatrics
• Jefferson Medical College/A.I. Dupont Hospital
  For Children
• Physician Advocacy Fellow
• Center on Medicine as a Profession
• Columbia University College of Physicians
  Surgeons

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Human Milk Benefits Children

• For children, reduced risk of
• Ear infections (by 50), the 2nd most common
  reason for sick visits
• Diarrheal illnesses by 64
• Pneumonia by 72
• Asthma (by 30-40), most common chronic disease
  in childhood
• Obesity (by up to 24), epidemic numbers with
• 1 in 4 children affected
• Leukemia by 15-20

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Human Milk Benefits Mothers

• For women
• Reductions in risk of breast cancer (by 4.3)
• Reduction in risk of ovarian cancer (by 21)
• Cancer is the second leading cause of death in
  women.
• Increased self-esteem and confidence
• Enhance mother-infant bonding
• Less post-partum hemorrhage
• Faster return to pre-pregnancy weight

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Human Milk Benefits Society

• Estimated 3.6 billion annual savings
• Reductions in largely preventable diseases
  e.g., infections, obesity and heart disease --
  that result in enormous healthcare expenditures
• Use of human milk is environmentally friendly
• Healthier babies grow up to be healthier and more
  productive members of society

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Race/Ethnic Disparity in Breastfeeding Rates
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Breastfeeding Rates are Lowest in Areas Where
Obesity Rates are Highest
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On the Job, Nursing Mothers Find a 2-Class
System September 1, 2006 By JODI KANTOR

• For those with autonomy in their jobs
  generally, well-paid professionals
• breast-feeding, and the pumping it requires, is
  a matter of choice.
• But for lower-income mothers including many who
  work in restaurants, factories, call centers and
  the military
• pumping at work is close to impossible, causing
  many women to decline to breast-feed at all, and
  others to quit after a short time.

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U.S. Labor Force Participation Rates
Cromartie, S.P. Labor Force Status of Families
A Visual Essay. http//www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2007/0
7/ressum.pdf
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A Return on Investment That Makes Sense

• Savings of 3 per 1 invested
• 400 in savings per baby over the first year
• Increased employee morale, satisfaction and
  loyalty
• Enhanced productivity
• Increased retention
• Enhanced corporate image as family-friendly

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Components of A Supportive Work Environment

• Privacy to Express Milk/Space
• Small, private space
• NEVER in a restroom
• Flexible breaks/Time Flexibility
• Education
• Support
• Counseling
• Programs that reach males females
• The Business Case for Breastfeeding

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Breastfeeding Rates and Maternity Leave
Weeks
Percent