Exclusive breastmilk is the ideal food for infants from birth through six months. It provides all of the water, nutrients, and calories babies need in the most digestible form and strengthens and builds their immune system. Formula unfortunately does not do all of this. However, many moms find themselves turning to formula during this time. When mom's have to clock out to pump, the amount in lost pay could actually end up being more than the cost of formula!
While it is widely known that "breast is best" and recent legislation has guaranteed breastfeeding moms a non-restroom pumping space at work, we still have a long way to go to ensure working moms are getting the best support to reach their breastfeeding goals. One way to do this is to give breastfeeding moms in the work force paid pumping breaks. Paid pumping breaks give moms incentive to keep pumping to provide breastmilk for their babies. This leads to reduced healthcare costs from healthier children and fewer absences of mom from work to care for sick children, resulting in higher work productivity.
If you care about the health of our nation's children, then you should support the foodsource that gives them the best start in life - their lactating mother. Please sign if you agree legislation should be passed to allow breastfeeding mothers paid pumping breaks.
