Posts Tagged ‘breastfeeding’
Kangaroo Mother Care to the Rescue!
If you haven’t heard this story yet, you will be amazed. A mother in Australia used the Kangaroo Mother Care method (KMC), previously mentioned in our post Kangaroo Mother Care for Newborns, with her premature baby, and this care method saved his life. Don’t forget that KMC is not just for premature babies. Full-term babies can benefit from KMC too. It helps newborns with transitioning, bonding, development and breastfee
ding. Watch the news segment and let us know what you think.
Miracle: “Kangaroo Care Method” Saves Preemie
Does Your Employer Support Your Decision to Breastfeed?
They should support you, because it’s the law! According to the US Department of Labor, your employer is supposed to support your decision to breastfeed. “Employers are required to provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for 1 year after the child’s birth each time such employee has need to express the milk. Employers are also required to provide a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk.” This law took effect March 23, 2010.
How many employers do you think are actually aware of this law?
Unfortunately, I’m sure many employers are unaware of this Federal law and are probably unaware of the NYS law that has been in place for a couple of years with similar requirements.
Here is what the NYS law states, “An employer shall provide reasonable unpaid break time or permit an employee to use paid break time or meal time each day to allow an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for up to three years following the child’s birth. The Employer should make reasonable efforts to provide a room or other location in close proximity to the work area, where an employee who chooses to express breast milk in the work place.”
What was your experience like when you returned to work? Was your employer supportive? We’d love to highlight some of our local businesses.
Sources: Fact Sheet #73: Break Time for Nursing Mothers under the FLSA, United States Department of Labor; Going Back to School or Work, Breastfeeding partners.org;
Picture Source: Parenting Magazine
