FMH Encourages Workplace Lactation Support
July 11, 2008
Franklin Memorial Hospital employees Judy Holbrook (left) and Betsy Norton who reportedly breastfed their children, say that they have never missed a day of work due to their child being ill.
Franklin Memorial Hospital is leading the way in the community by providing a lactation program as a benefit to its employees who are nursing mothers.
The program provides a "Mother's Room" for expressing milk in a secure, relaxing environment utilizing hospital-grade breast pumps, and if needed, consultation services by the hospital's lactation counselors.
Hospital organizers, who say the program has been found to reduce absenteeism and improve productivity, are in hopes that other businesses will follow their lead and offer the same support for their breastfeeding employees.
All that is needed to accommodate a mother's need to pump is a small private space with a chair and an electrical outlet. Supervisors must also support two breaks and a lunch period during a typical eight-hour workday.
For assistance in starting a workplace program contact one of our many certified lactation counselors at 779-2295. Help us celebrate National Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, by becoming an employer that has a workplace breastfeeding program!
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