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Workplace accommodations to support breastfeeding in New Jersey
Author(s) -
Gaits Susan,
Bai Yeon,
Wunderlich Shahla M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.806.7
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , amenity , abandonment (legal) , nursing , medicine , psychology , demography , family medicine , business , political science , pediatrics , law , sociology , finance
Returning to an unsupportive work environment has been identified as a major reason for avoidance or early abandonment of breastfeeding among working mothers. The purpose of this study was to examine the nature and extent of accommodations offered to breastfeeding employees among New Jersey employers (hospitals, education, and retail) since the Federal Reasonable Break Time for Nursing Mothers law enactment. Respondents (N=51) completed a 22‐item online questionnaire during Fall 2011. Level of support was measured by the amenities of the lactation room (furnishings, proximity to running water, and breast pump), then transformed to a composite “amenity score” ranging from 0 to 3 (superior). The support level was compared by type of organization: hospital (n=34) vs. non‐hospital (n=17). The amenity score of hospitals, although moderate, was higher than non‐hospitals (1.44 vs. 0.45, p=0.002). Hospitals were more likely to have separate lactation room, (62 vs. 40%, p=0.06), and higher awareness of the federal law (55 vs. 14%, p=0.06) and their own breastfeeding policy (62 vs. 21%, p=0.003). All employers need to improve the level of lactation support regardless of the type of organization. Grant Funding Source : Montclair State University