New mothers who work at I.S.D. 166 and are breastfeeding their infants now have a private room where they can go and pump and express breast milk for their infants. Photo courtesy of Maren Webb
Healthy Northland, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, and Cook County Public Health and Human Services are pleased to announce Cook County Schools/ISD 166 has been awarded a grant to make breastfeeding easier for their employees.
ISD 166 has added a lactation room, a designated space for women to pump and express milk privately during work. They are also working to implement a new breastfeeding policy to support mothers on staff.
Research shows that lactation support at work can lower medical costs for employees and their children, reduce turnover rates, lower absenteeism rates, improve productivity and raise employee morale and loyalty to the company (“The Business Case for Breastfeeding,” www.womenshealth.gov).
“Women who return to work often find it difficult to meet their breastfeeding goals,” said Pam Galle, IBCLC, breastfeeding coordinator at Healthy Northland. “By creating breastfeeding friendly spaces and policies to support employees returning to work after having a new baby, these businesses are providing family friendly environments. I am excited to see so much enthusiasm and energy by businesses around supporting breastfeeding families.”
Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and Cook County Public Health and Human Services have also created lactation spaces and policies for their employees.
“The Cook County School District wants to provide a work environment that provides for a win/ win scenario for returning mothers,” said Dr. Bill Crandall, superintendent. “We recognize that when a mother returns to her work responsibilities, she still has responsibilities to her newborn and family. So, we want to provide a positive work environment for both responsibilities to be met.”
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