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

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