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Breastfeeding and Healthy Living: Going Back to Work or School

MO-07-0043 BFP

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For Parents
For Employers
For Child Care Workers
For Community Leaders
International Reports

For Parents:

Lactation Accommodation Law 

  • Assembly Bill 1025 passed 10/13/2001
  • To file a complaint when an employer violates labor code section 1030 complete a complaint by following the directions in the following Bureau of Field Enforcement Claim.
  • The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing fines employer (PDF)Opens a new browser windowfor not allowing a mother to breastfeed her child during her break.
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    La Leche League

  •  Mother-to-mother discussion boards
  • Search for topic in La Leche League Website
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    California Department of Public Health WIC Breastfeeding Resources Website, Resources for Employees:

  • Benefits of Breastfeeding English (PDF)Opens a new browser window....Spanish 
  • Working and Breastfeeding English (PDF)Opens a new browser window....Spanish
  • Getting Ready for Child Care English (PDF)Opens a new browser window....Spanish
  • Collecting and Storing Breastmilk English (PDF)Opens a new browser window....Spanish
  • Sample Schedule for Expressing Breastmilk at Work English (PDF)Opens a new browser window....Spanish
  • How to Know if Your Baby is Getting Enough Breastmilk English (PDF)Opens a new browser window....Spanish
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    All about breastfeeding website by the New York State WIC office

  • Breastfeeding when away from home
  • Going back to work or school
  • Introducing a bottle and breast pumping information
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    National Center for Education in Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health

    Maternal and Child Health Library

  • Breastfeeding Consumer Education Materials
  • Breastfeeding Promotion for Health Professionals
  • Breastfeeding and Working Mothers for Consumers and Health Professionals
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    Websites

  • www.workandpump.com. Mother-to-mother advice for moms working outside the home and breastfeeding. Message boards, news updates, info for employers.
  • www.pumpingmoms.org. Information on how to pump, ways to increase milk production and mother-to-mother support.
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    For Employers:  

    Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Healthier Worksite Initiative:

    • From the U.S. Office of Personnel Management:

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    California Department of Public Health Website, Resources for Employers:

  • Minimum Requirements of the California Lactation Accommodation Law (PDF)Opens a new browser window.
  • Other Ways to Support Breastfeeding in the Workplace (PDF)Opens a new browser window.
  • Sample Flyer for Employee Break Rooms (PDF)Opens a new browser window.
  • Sample Messages for Paycheck Stubs (PDF)Opens a new browser window.
  • Developing a Breastfeeding Workplace Policy (PDF)Opens a new browser window.
  • Setting up a "Lactation Room" (PDF)Opens a new browser window.
  • Improving the Bottom Line for Businesses (PDF)Opens a new browser window.
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    National Business Group on Health:

  • Breastfeeding Support at the Workplace: Best Practices to Promote Health and Productivity (PDF)Opens a new browser window.
  • An Employer’s Toolkit: Investing in Maternal and Child Health (PDF)Opens a new browser window.
  • Recommended Coverage from A Purchaser’s Guide to Clinical Preventive Services: Moving Science into Coverage (PDF)Opens a new browser window.
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      • Breastfeeding Counseling Coverage
        • Structured breastfeeding education and behavioral counseling is a covered benefit for all pregnant and lactating women.
        • Counseling may be provided in an office setting, during hospitalization for labor/delivery, or in the patient’s home after the birth of their child.
        • There is no maximum number of sessions, provided that the care is medically necessary.

    San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition:

  • Breastfeeding & the Bottom Line: Breastfeeding in the Workplace - a CD ROM (2004) $20.00 
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    Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles

  • Breastfeeding Works

    • American Institute of Architects, that collects and disseminates Best Practices as a service to its members:

  • Lactation Room Design, published in February, 2008 and states: 
    “Mothers returning to the workplace after childbirth are incredibly driven to provide for their new babies but also to be productive members of the workforce. Companies that provide lactation rooms in the workplace help these employees achieve both of these goals. Following the design guidelines given here will yield a lactation room that is easy to use and offers comfort and respect to mothers.”
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    For Child Care Workers:

  • How to Support a Breastfeeding Mother: A Guide to the Childcare Center  Contains training modules and materials made available by the Texas Department of State Health Services:
  • The WIC Peer Counselor Training can be used for Child Care workers so they will support the mothers of the babies they care for.
  • National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education has information on breastmilk fed infants, such as CARING FOR OUR CHILDREN in English ...Spanish (PDF)Opens a new browser window.(See 4.3 REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIAL GROUPS OR AGES OF CHILDREN, STANDARD 4.011: General Plan For Feeding Infants.)
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    For Community Leaders:

    Workplace Initiatives to Support Breastfeeding Women:

  • Institute for Women’s Policy Research: “Maternity Leave in the United States” (PDF)Opens a new browser window.
  • Washington Business Group on Health (PDF)Opens a new browser window.
  • National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition: Worksite Models of Excellence 2000
  • Oregon Health Division Mother-Friendly Workplace Policy
  • Texas Breastfeeding Initiative and the Mother-Friendly Work site Program
  • State-level legislation monitored by La Leche League International
  • USDA's Breastfed Babies Welcome Here 

    • International Reports:

  • Findings from the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) Conditions of Work and Employment Database A review of national legislation Maternity at work;  2005 ILO Recommendations related to breastfeeding and employed mothers (PDF)Opens a new browser window.
  • The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the UN specialized agency which seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights.
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