Naomi, I really enjoyed your message.  Good luck with your book, which
sounds as if it will provide us with another great resource for working
mothers.  I have occasionally received permission from mothers who are
planning to return to work and who anticipate that finding time for
expressing/pumping will be difficult, to write to the employers.  In the
letter I "request" that the mother be allowed time and a suitable place
(*not* a toilet) to provide EBM for her baby during working hours.  With the
mom's consent I have included info on the special circumstances of *this*
mother and *this* baby (one had been prem), including whether they had been
referred to me by their doctor/paed, and the special health benefits of
exclusive breastfeeding, which of course benefit the employer (less time off
work caring for a sick baby, happier, more productive employee, etc.)  I try
to phrase the letter enthusiastically, and as if the employer has the
opportunity to make an important contribution towards the future health of
this little baby ...  One such letter was addressed to a very large bank,
two were addressed to embassies.  Each has been very favourably received and
the mother has been successful in combining working and breastfeeding.

On the down side, not all working moms accept offers of letters to the
employer. With these, I wonder if the mom is not *that* motivated to make
the extra effort to provide EBM at work and really thinks that
formula-feeding will be easier.

Pamela Morrison IBCLC, Zimbabwe