Winnie asked if bf-supportive employers are a trend. Just this week I have been doing an informal survey of our *big* local employees to see what their policies are. Here's what I've found: DuPont (yes, that DuPont) has two "mother's rooms" set up on opposite sides of the plant, so that moms don't have to go far during their breaks. They also provide pumps, refrigerators, bf information, comfortable chairs, etc. They are given a key to the room and told about it when they find out they are pregnant. This "official" policy has been in place since late last year, but I have known a number of mothers who pumped at DuPont before that time. Two other large employers (over 2000 employees each) allow the mom to take breaks in the nurse's office, using an exam room for pumping. They don't have official written policies, but each of the nurses I spoke to says they encourage mothers to nurse after they return to work. One of these nurses actually volunteered the following, "Many times the new moms take longer to pump than they are allowed on break. We just ask these women to clock out and take as long as they need, they clock back in when they are finished." That just about took my breath away--it was better than I would have expected! We hope that word of these policies will spread to other employers in the area--the hospital is setting up a new day care center. I can't wait to see what they do (they haven't been particularly bf-friendly to their employees in the past.) Edie Eckman, LLLL *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html