In the INFACT, Winter 1997 Newsletter there is an abstract which cites an
advantage to employers to have women returning to work and breastfeeding.

"Comparison of maternal absenteeism and infant illness rates among
breastfeeding and formula-feeding women in two corporations" Cohen,R. et al.
Am J Health Promot  10:148-153, 1995

"Although the authors caution that this is a preliminary study, its outcome is
of interest to those developing workplace and breastfeeding policies. The
study compared the number of illness episodes and maternal absenteeism
directly related to child care in two U.S. corporations. A sample of 101
mothers, 59 breastfeeding and 42 using artificial feeding were self selected.
Of the 28 per cent of infants with no illnesses, 86 per cent were breastfed
and 14 per cent were artificially fed. In comparing maternal absentee rates,
25 per cent of all one day abstentions were among the breastfeeding group and
75 per cent were among the bottle fed."

"Implications of this study, if replicated, the authors conclude, show that
women who breastfeed their babies are absent from work less frequently and for
shorter duration because their babies are sick less frequently and less
severly than those who are bottle fed. Such outcomes can have a significant
impact on the development of workplace policies for breastfeeding women.
Workplace breastfeeding policies programs may be beneficial to the employer."

It would be interesting to know if this type of study has been replicated and
what the outcome was (we know it would be positive but it would be beneficial
to have info like this for the number crunchers). Anybody out there looking
for a research project?

Nola (North of 60)







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