While Ohio has made strides in protecting a woman's right to breastfeed in public places, many mothers still face insecurities about whether they can pump at work.
ALLEN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - It's one of the most natural things between a mother and her child, yet there are still stigmas surrounding it.
August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, with this week being World Breastfeeding Week.
August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, with this week being World Breastfeeding Week. "Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All" is this year's theme, focusing on reducing the inequalities that still exist in our society regarding breastfeeding. While Ohio has made strides in protecting a woman's right to breastfeed in public places, many mothers still face insecurities about whether they can pump at work.
If you are an employer or a mother who has questions about breastfeeding and pumping in the workplace or in general, contact your local WIC, or the State of Ohio's 24/7 Breastfeeding Hotline at 1-888-588-3423.
"Sometimes it's not just that they don't have things in place. Sometimes they think that it's understood that well; of course that's ok. Or, of course, people can do that. But unless you're being more obvious about it, and for employers, if you don't have a policy, if you're not communicating what you're expecting or how you see this playing out, sometimes employees will stop breastfeeding because they don't think it's possible," said Lori Nester, breastfeeding coordinator for Allen County WIC.
If you are an employer or a mother who has questions about breastfeeding and pumping in the workplace or in general, contact your local Women, Infants, and Children clinic, better known as WIC, or the State of Ohio's 24/7 Breastfeeding Hotline at 1-888-588-3423.
