Oct. 1 to 7 is World Breastfeeding Week and Prairie North Health Region is encouraging businesses, agencies and organizations to reflect on ways to support breastfeeding moms in the workplace.
They are encouraging all businesses, agencies, and organizations to consider what they can do and a number of options are being suggested, such as flexible hours, providing space in the workplace and so on.
The health region provided a number of testimonials in a news release Monday. One was from PNHR Breastfeeding Support Nurse Naida Hawkins, who received the support of her workplace to express breast milk for her daughter when she returned to work.
“I found it such a big transition coming back to work and I was grateful that my manager supported me in my efforts to continue to provide my little girl with the benefits of breast milk. I was given time to pump and store my milk and could breastfeed my daughter in the workplace when she could be brought to me,” said Hawkins.
“Breastfeeding was my anchor to my baby on days we had to be apart,” said Delia Massey, another new mom who has returned to work. “Being able to continue to nurse my baby in the workplace provided an immeasurable level of protection for her, a connection to the comfort of our days together, and reassurance for both of us that little had changed.”
Studies were cited from the World Health Organization (WHO) that indicate working mothers with adequate maternity benefits including a breastfeeding supportive workplace report increased job satisfaction and greater loyalty to their employers. Another benefit cited was that breastfed children fall sick less often, which means their mothers are absent from work less often, and that leads to more productivity.
Those seeking more information about breastfeeding and work are encouraged to contact a PNHR lactation professional in North Battleford 306-446-8632, Lloydminster 306-820-6233 and Meadow Lake at 306-236-1570.
