Why breastfeeding matters to occupational health nurses and employers

Women with children are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. work force. Employers must comply with the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, requiring them to provide acceptable facilities for breastfeeding employees. This article discusses resources for examining the economic costs and benefits of becoming a breastfeeding-friendly organization, current legislation affecting breastfeeding women in the workplace, resources related to breastfeeding, and recommendations for initiating and managing a workplace lactation program. Research demonstrating the effects of lactation programs on health care and employee replacement costs (i.e., recruiting, hiring, and training staff) is reviewed. Implementation issues are discussed, including providing breastfeeding women with sufficient time, adequate space, and support from employers and coworkers. The role of occupational health nurses in initiating and coordinating workplace lactation programs is also discussed.