Why Every Workplace Should Support Breastfeeding Mothers

Breastfeeding is an essential part of nurturing and bonding between a mother and her child. While it is highly encouraged, many new mothers experience difficulties in continuing to breastfeed while they are at work. This can result in them having to choose between their career and the optimal development of their child. To ensure the emotional and physical well-being of mothers and their babies, workplaces should support breastfeeding mothers.

Here are some reasons why every workplace should support breastfeeding mothers:

1. Improved Employee Retention: Empathy towards breastfeeding mothers is not only about being supportive of the well-being of the employees but also about ensuring the longevity of their tenure within the organization. By supporting the mothers’ breastfeeding needs, companies can reduce their employee turnover rate, ensuring that the business then does not have to spend a considerable amount of money and other resources on replacement and retraining.

2. Boost in Employee Morale: Supporting breastfeeding mothers also improves the morale of the workforce. When workplaces offer breastfeeding support and advocate for their employees’ well-being, they send a message that they value their employees’ contributions to the organization. This may also lead to better collaboration and teamwork amongst employees.

3. Attracting and Retaining Female Employees: Women constitute a significant part of the workforce in various sectors, and many of them may become mothers at some point in their careers. By providing supportive policies to breastfeeding mothers, organizations can ensure that women feel valued, respected and appreciated. When female employees feel valued and supported, they are more likely to pursue long-term careers with the company, thereby contributing to the company’s growth and development.

4. Improved Employee Health: Breastfeeding provides natural health benefits to both the mother and the child. Breast milk boosts the baby’s immune system and protects them from illnesses while also reducing the mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer, amongst other health benefits. By enabling and supporting breastfeeding mothers, organizations can positively impact the health of their workforce, reduce absenteeism and ultimately boost productivity.

5. Compliance with the Law: Finally, some countries have laws requiring employers to provide accommodations for breastfeeding mothers. Therefore, supporting breastfeeding mothers is a legal requirement that should not be ignored.

In conclusion, supporting breastfeeding mothers at the workplace is beneficial for both the mother and the organization. By demonstrating empathy towards breastfeeding mothers, companies can attract and retain female employees, boost employee morale and productivity, and improve employee health. It is, therefore, essential for businesses to adopt supportive policies that enable breastfeeding mothers to continue nursing their babies while working. By supporting and accommodating breastfeeding mothers, workplaces can contribute positively to the growth, development, and well-being of the workforce and society at large.