Breastfeeding - a baby's best start
A Few Good Reasons
Did you know? Employees of the State of Montana who are breastfeeding have the right to a private, comfortable location for breastfeeding or pumping at work, flexible breaks to accommodate breastfeeding needs, and a supportive working environment.
According to a February 2011 ruling, Breast pumps and other breastfeeding supplies can now be claimed under flexible health spending accounts as medical expenses.
10 Steps to Breastfeeding Success
Breastfeeding Room Available in the Capitol Complex
The DPHHS breastfeeding room, located in Cogswell B-223, is available for department staff and other people visiting the Capitol Complex. According to Public Health and Safety Division's Family and Community Health Bureau chief Jo Ann Dotson, the breastfeeding room was created to provide a quiet space for DPHHS mothers who are breastfeeding, to pump breast milk or breastfeed. Also, while there is not an official breastfeeding room in the Sanders Building arrangements can be made to designate a room should the need arise, said Chief Operations Officer Laurie Lamson. To access the room, please contact Jo Ann Dotson at 444-4743.
"Supporting breastfeeding in the workplace benefits all of us," Dotson said. "Implementing workplace lactation programs creates positive results, including lower absenteeism, high productivity, high company loyalty, high employee morale, and lower health care costs. Because an ill child is a frequent cause of absenteeism among employed mothers, worksite programs that aim to improve children's health may also bring about a reduction in maternal absenteeism. Mothers with formula-fed children miss work three times more often because their children are ill compared to mothers who breastfed their children."
Breastfeeding is an important woman's issue, human rights issue, and health issue. Breastfeeding empowers women. Breastfed babies and their mother enjoy better health and fewer sick days. I hope that you will make the choice to breastfeed your baby. There is no substitute for mother's milk.
Resources to Help You Succeed at Breastfeeding
- Local Lactation Consultants and La Leche Groups/Leaders - PLEASE write down your lactation consultant's number and have at least one initial breastfeeding consultation in the hospital, or in the first few days after birth!
- Montana State Breastfeeding Coalition-Find breastfeeding support, learn about your rights and help promote breastfeeding in Montana.
- Breastfeeding Online - helping to empower women to choose to breastfeed and to educate society at large about the importance and benefits of breastfeeding.
- FREE Breastfeeding Helpline: - call (800) 994-9662 or visit the womenshealth.gov breastfeeding site.
- Breastfeeding Basics - Everything you always wanted to know about breastfeeding, but didn't know who to ask.
- KellyMom.com - Evidence-based information on breastfeeding, sleep, and parenting.
- La Leche League - Find answers to your breastfeeding and parenting questions, conveniently grouped by topic.
- Ask Dr. Sears - General advice on parenting and health care- this link goes directly to his breastfeeding information.
- Just For Dad: - "Making the Decision Together" and "Fathers Can Support Breastfeeding" For more information:
Kim Pullman, RD, LN
Wellness Coordinator
(406) 444-3809
kpullman@mt.gov
