From Office Meals to Flexible Hours: Celebrating National Breastfeeding Month in the Workplace
Posted by Sara on Wednesday, August 6th, 2014 with 4 Comments
August isn’t only about celebrating sandwiches– it’s also National Breastfeeding Month and it’s the perfect time to think about how employers can support their breastfeeding employees.
As new moms return to the workplace after maternity leave ends, they will be navigating the balance of raising a baby and continuing a career. Providing a formal breastfeeding support program– or simply an informal, breastfeeding-friendly environment– will help make the transition easier on new moms… and help keep your company’s newest extended family member healthy and happy. From tailoring office meals to nursing moms’ nutritional needs, to providing safe and comfortable lactation rooms– there are many ways a workplace can become more breastfeeding-friendly.
Make the workplace friendly for the whole family.
Image source: Flickr user moppet65535
Federal law requires many employers to make it possible for new moms to work and breastfeed, but the more your company goes above and beyond the bare minimum, the more supported your employees will feel– and the more your reputation as a family-friendly workplace will grow. So in honor of National Breastfeeding Month, here are just a few of the ways your office can support nursing mothers:
#1 Provide a private, comfortable space for breastfeeding moms to express milk— and no, bathrooms don’t count. This can be as simple as a vacant office with a locking door, or converting a storage area to a small lactation room. A chair and a table to place the pump are all that are required by federal law, but go a little above and beyond– choose a space with an electrical outlet, provide easy access to a sink, soft lighting, and a mini-fridge to store milk safely (and privately) during the workday. The more relaxed and comfortable your employee feels, the more effectively she’ll be able to express milk.
#2 Plan office meals that are mindful of breastfeeding moms’ nutritional needs. Choose low-mercury seafood for a sushi lunch or catered event (opt for scallops, shrimp, and salmon over big fish like marlin, swordfish, and ahi tuna). Include calcium-rich foods like low-fat yogurt at breakfast meetings or kale salads at lunch. And spicy foods are fine– unless your employee’s baby has shown a sensitivity to them. Just don’t be afraid to ask! It could mean the world to a new working mom to have her baby’s nutritional needs included in office meal planning.
#3 Nursing moms often require more calories and hydration. To help out, keep the break room stocked with healthy snacks (almonds and string cheese are both great choices) and drinks. In the beverage department, choose drinks without caffeine or added sugar, like water or herbal tea.
#4 Be flexible with break times. Expressing milk during the day doesn’t take very long (usually around 15 – 20 minutes), but breastfeeding moms will need to do so every few hours. In addition to a comfortable and private space, communicating to your breastfeeding employees that they should feel free to take the time they need will go a long way towards showing your flexibility and commitment to their health.
#5 Consider allowing your employee to bring the baby into the office on occasion. Some companies have embraced a completely newborn-friendly environment, to great success. Or, if a family member or grandparent is caring for the infant, invite them to bring the baby in for regular nursing visits or just to visit during the lunch hour. Opening the office door to families can go a long way in building employee engagement and feelings of a supportive environment.
Supporting breastfeeding mothers doesn’t have to be costly or time-consuming– for instance, you can order wholesome office meals that will be delivered right to your office from Waiter.com! From low-mercury seafood to healthy snacks, this is one of the easiest ways to support new moms in the workplace.
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This is so important, especially with the short/non-required maternity leave in the U.S. Moms who want to breastfeed and return to work need this support; thanks for the reminder!
Yes, there are a lot of working moms who will have several months of breastfeeding at the office to plan for! Taking a little extra care to make them feel comfortable and supported can do a lot to make that first year easier.
I really love this article. Businesses should definitely make breast feeding employees more comfortable. I’ve seen many places where women have to go into bathroom stalls to pump. That’s ridiculous AND unsanitary!!!
Thanks Jayne! Agreed – bathroom stalls are not an acceptable solution. Even an office with a lock that a breastfeeding mom can have private access to a few times a day is a far better alternative to a bathroom.