Dear colleagues,

I am thankful that the U. S. Department of Labor is now charged with seeing
that a class of working women that has rarely had support to continue
breastfeeding  gets the accommodations to do so.  Kudos to the Breastfeeding
Coalition of Oregon for their pioneering work that can now benefit the whole
U. S.!

When I ask colleagues and breastfeeding moms about barriers to breastfeeding
and working that they know of, a top mention is often suspicion, hostility,
or ridicule from bosses and coworkers.  Political pressure can be so
powerful!  Our recent discussion about the WIC peer counselor who
encountered problems with bringing her very young baby to a continuing
education event comes to mind.

As the U. S. prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving, I want to ask for reports
of instances where the light breaks through the clouds of suspicion and
hostility.  When did you or a mom you helped experience an improvement in
attitude from a boss or coworker?  How did it happen?  What did you (or the
mom you helped) do to facilitate the change in attitude?  Cynthia Good Mojab
had a wonderful article in LEAVEN in 2001
http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVDecJan02p123.html about helping mothers
create breastfeeding allies.  I am hoping to hear stories of such tools at
work.  What really made a difference for you or the mom you helped?  Those
of us who are preparing to help moms and employers relate well for the sake
of babies need to compare notes!  Please reply here, or privately if you're
afraid it's too long.

Ruth Piatak
-- 
Ruth Piatak, BA, MS, LLL Leader
Tulsa, Oklahoma
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