Breastfeeding Friendly Employer Project
The Breastfeeding-Friendly Employer Project helps Vermont employers adopt breastfeeding-friendly policies in the workplace as well as providing formal recognition for employers who do so. This project also provides mothers and child care providers with information to help all Vermont babies receive breastmilk for the recommended first year of life.
Encouraging mothers to breastfeed (pdf) their babies is a key strategy of the Fit & Healthy Vermonters state plan for the prevention of obesity. Supporting breastfeeding women when they return to employment outside the home is an essential part of increasing Vermont's breastfeeding rates.
Project Resources
Breastfeeding Friendly Employers in Vermont - A list of businesses that have made strides to support and promote breastfeeding in the workplace.
Information for Employers contains information about becoming a Breastfeeding-Friendly employer, as well as an application to join the project.
Information for Working Mothers contains information on choosing childcare, expressing breastmilk, choosing a breast pump, and how to make plans with your employer that will allow you to continue providing breastmilk after your return to work.
Information for Child Care Providers has tips for helping breastfed babies adapt to childcare, milk storage and handling guidelines, and information on creating a breastfeeding-friendly child care facility.
Other Worksite Resources
Fit and Healthy Vermonters Worksite Wellness Resource provides employers with steps and supporting information to aid in planning, developing, implementing and evaluating a worksite wellness program.
The Business Case for Breastfeeding: Steps for Creating a Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite. Toolkit components include Employee's Guide to Breastfeeding and Working, Easy Steps To Supporting Breastfeeding Employees, and The Business Case for Breastfeeding.
Vermont Workplaces Support Nursing Moms fact sheet describes Vermont labor law related to breastfeeding in the workplace and suggests ways that employers and employees can work together to achieve breastfeeding recommendations for mothers and babies. Information regarding the workplace accomodation law is available from the Office of the Attorney General.
Project Information
This project is the result of a recommendation by the Breastfeeding Study Commission established by the Vermont Legislature in 2000.
It is supported by Vermont Business Roundtable, Vermont Chamber of Commerce, Vermont Department of Economic Development, Vermont League of Cities and Towns, Vermont Department of Personnel and the Vermont Department of Health.
Thank you for your interest in this project, and please contact me with any questions.
Karen Flynn
Project Coordinator
P.O. Box 70, Burlington, VT 05402-0070
802-652-4171