Breast-Feeding by Employed Mothers: A Reasonable Accommodation in the Work Place

Abstract

A nonprofit voluntary community hospital, the Hunterdon Medical Center, has made a commitment to encourage breast-feeding among employees. In support of this commitment, arrangements were made for time off during the work day for nursing mothers to pump their breasts. An electric breast pump in a suitably accessible location and supportive professional advice were offered. Among those who chose to nurse their babies, it was found that mothers nursed for longer times and were more likely to continue nursing after return to employment when this program was available.