Exposed: Discrimination Against Breastfeeding Workers

Abstract

for speaking out and sharing your personal experiences so that other nursing moms will have it easier than you did. Thank you Heidi Shierholz and Janelle Jones from the Economic Policy Institute for your impressive economic modeling and unparalleled generosity of time and expertise.

The Health Care Provider's Role in Securing Work Accommodations for Pregnant and Postpartum Patients

“…17 Postpartum women may also require accommodations. 1,18,19 A reasonable accommodation is a change to how, when, or where an employee's job is performed that enables them to safely and comfortably do their job. Examples include sitting instead of standing during the workday, carrying a water bottle, taking more frequent breaks to have a snack or rest, schedule modifications, assistance with heavy lifting, a modified uniform that does not interfere with production of breast milk, break time and private space for expressing breast milk, and time off for health care appointments.…”

“…22 Similarly, discrimination and nonaccommodation of breastfeeding workers is widespread and leads to a range of harmful health and economic outcomes, including job loss. 18 Despite the widely acknowledged benefits of breastfeeding for both women and their children, [23][24][25][26][27][28][29] return to work remains one of the primary barriers to continued breastfeeding. 30 Workers who are breastfeeding need adequate break time and a private nonbathroom space to express breast milk during the workday.…”

“…Typically, during an 8-hour shift, a lactating worker will need 2 to 3 breaks of 15 to 20 minutes (not including the time it takes to travel to and from the pumping space, to set up the pump, and to clean up and store the breast milk), but this will vary depending on the infant's feeding schedule, the woman's body, and other factors. 18,19 However, 60% of women are not given the break time and private space they need to regularly express breast milk during the workday. 31 In a national survey, 50% of women reported that their employment impacted their breastfeeding-related decisions, and one-third reported their employment posed a challenge to breastfeeding.…”

“…31 In a national survey, 50% of women reported that their employment impacted their breastfeeding-related decisions, and one-third reported their employment posed a challenge to breastfeeding. 18,31 When employees who are breastfeeding are not able to express breast milk as often as needed, they may suffer painful breast engorgement, a reduction in breast milk supply, and mastitis. 18,19,32,33 They are also more likely to stop breastfeeding earlier than intended and sooner than is clinically recommended.…”

“…18,31 When employees who are breastfeeding are not able to express breast milk as often as needed, they may suffer painful breast engorgement, a reduction in breast milk supply, and mastitis. 18,19,32,33 They are also more likely to stop breastfeeding earlier than intended and sooner than is clinically recommended. 34 In contrast, women who receive appropriate workplace support for pumping breast milk are over twice as likely to be breastfeeding at 6 months postpartum, even after controlling for sociodemographic factors.…”