At 11 a.m. today, the Cole County Health Department will host a reception to recognize a number of businesses in Cole County that have successfully implemented lactation programs to support breastfeeding in the workplace.
It will be held in Jefferson City in the Hawthorne Bank community room.
All Cole County offices, Capital Region Medical Center, Jefferson City Correctional Center, St. Mary's Health Center and Whaley's Pharmacy have joined a growing number of Missouri businesses by becoming a "Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite."
Breastfeeding-friendly employers proactively support employees who choose to breastfeed their infants. They provide time, space and other benefits so mothers can maintain breastfeeding after returning to work.
More than 70 percent of Missouri mothers choose breastfeeding as the optimal form of infant feeding. Many studies have also shown improved short-term and long-term health of the breastfeeding mother and her child. Yet, many women do not meet their breastfeeding goals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified returning to work as a major reason why many women stop breastfeeding.
The Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Program is a collaboration between the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the Missouri Breastfeeding Coalition.
The program aims to bring an increased awareness about the importance of work site lactation support. It also recognizes employers with policies supportive of their breastfeeding employees. Such policies provide a flexible work schedule for milk expression breaks; offer a private space, other than a bathroom, where the employee can pump or breastfeed; ensure easy access to a safe water source; and a place to store milk.
Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Worksites represent a wide range of employment sectors, settings and work place sizes. To be designated as a Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite, an employer must submit an application to the DHSS. A listing of recognized businesses is available on the Missouri Breastfeeding Coalition's website, mobreastfeeding.org.
For more information on the Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Worksites Program, visit the program's website, or contact the state breastfeeding coordinator at 526-4792.