Workplace Breastfeeding Support

Working breastfeeding individuals need the support of their employers. Their needs are simple: A safe, private, and comfortable location at the worksite and the opportunity to breastfeed or pump two or three times during the work day. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies be fed only breast milk for the first six months and that breastfeeding be continued along with nutritious food for at least one year. In order for a working mom to produce enough breast milk for their baby, they need be able express milk during their work shift. Many nursing mothers do not know that the law requires employers to provide a private area and allow break time for pumping or breastfeeding at work.

Federal and Colorado Law

Effective March 23, 2010 the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act amended Section 7 of the Labor Standards Act to require employers to provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child. 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.

The Wage and Hour Fact Sheet #73 “Break Time for Nursing Mothers under the FLSA” and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Department of Labor website provide basic information about the law. Colorado law goes beyond Federal law by extending this requirement until the child is two years of age.

Employer benefits of proving worksite support

Businesses are realizing numerous benefits when they provide lactation support programs.

• Cost savings of $3 per $1 invested in nursing support

• Reduced absenteeism to care for sick children because breastfed infants have less illness

• Lower health care costs

• Improved employee productivity with higher morale and greater employee loyalty

• Increased ability to attract and retain valuable employees

• Family-friendly image in the community

The Northern Colorado Breastfeeding-Friendly Worksite Program

Businesses that provide additional breastfeeding support for their employees such as having a worksite policy and staff education may be recognized for being a Breastfeeding-Friendly Worksite. Employers that receive the award are provided with a certificate and letter of recognition, and are promoted as a Breastfeeding-Friendly Worksite on this website and on the NCBC Facebook page.

Click here for Employer, Outreach Partner, and Nursing Mother Resources

Northern Colorado Breastfeeding-Friendly Worksites:

American Cancer Society, Northern Colorado
Adventure Child Development Center
City of Greeley
Envision, Creative Support for People with Developmental Disabilities
First Congregational Church in Greeley
High Plains Library District (Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite and Public Venue)
JBS Swift Greeley
Life Care Center of Greeley
Lowe’s Home Center, LLC
McDonald’s 2440 8th Avenue
McKee Medical Center
Medical Center of the Rockies
Noble Energy
North Colorado Health Alliance
Northern Colorado Medical Center
Salida del Sol Academy
Salud Family Health Centers: Frederick
Salud Family Health Centers: Stanley J. Brasher Administrative and Training Center
State Farm Insurance
Sunrise Adelante Clinic
Sunrise Community Health
Sunrise Kid’s Care Clinic
Sunrise Monfort Children’s Clinic
Target Corporation Greeley
Thompson River Pediatrics
ttech
UC Health Greeley Hospital
United Way of Weld County
Weld County Department of Human Services
Weld County Department of Public Health & Environment (Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite and Public Venue)
Weld County Human Resources
Weld County School District 6
Weld County Treasurer
Weld County Woman, Infants, and Children
Wells Fargo Bank
West Ridge Animal Hospital