I have spoken on this topic at several area conferences. We submitted it to
ILCA this year but was turned down. I have worked with several worksites and
the services offered/needed differ depending upon what is needed. The first
step is to do a needs assessment. What is the average age of the employees,
how many pregnant/lactating employees have they averaged in the past 4-5
years, is the employee age increasing or decreasing, where is the company
willing to start, what will the insurance carrier cover, what did the
insurance pay out for sick infants in the past 4-5 years, is that
increasing, etc. Look at that from specific diagnostic codes-only 2 or 3 like
ear infections, respiratory illnesses and gastrointestinal illnesses.
Programs can vary from the company referring to private practice LC's in the
community and reinbursing for services, to onsite services such as prenatal
classes, breastpump purchase reinbursement, going back to work consultations,
pump rooms, mothers ' support groups, dads lunch and learns for expectant
dads, and pump breaks and /or nursing breaks.
Other questions are: who else can be included in the services--spouses,
family members, etc, is there a cap on services, who will be the responsible
staff onsite
( some companies train breastfeeding employees to be breastfeeding buddies or
mentor moms), who is responsible for cleaning and maintenace of onsite pumps
and pump rooms, safety of the employees ( especially if it is a factory with
24 hr employees), and who is responsible for evaluation and development of
future services and programs. Another consideration is what is a compreble
benefit for employees who do not breastfeed ( to avoid jealousy, sabotage and
reward employee support).
I also have presented twice to area Chamber of Commerce meetings and have put
breastfeeding news bits in the Chamber Newsletter so businesses will be aware
of the need for onsite programs and support of breastfeeding mothers.
Another area for outreach is the Business and Professional Womens Clubs and
any Women's Networking Groups.
Barb Whitehead, BS, IBCLC
Eastern NC
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