Breastfeeding helps both babies and mothers stay healthy. Public Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage exclusively breastfeeding for all babies for their first six months and continue for at least a year or longer as mutually desired by mother and baby.
Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby that cannot be reproduced in formula. Breastfed babies are healthier and have fewer infections and illnesses. Remember—some breast milk is better than no breast milk! Breastfeeding also has economic advantages because it eliminates the need to purchase formula. Because breastfed babies and mothers tend to be healthier, then families, businesses and health insurers also save money.
Breastfeeding is best for so many reasons:
- Bonding with baby
- Protection from illness
- Baby’s digestion
- Reducing allergies and colds
- Growth and development
- Mother’s health
- Cost savings
- Reduces the risk of obesity
- Benefits to society and the environment
- Reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Local breastfeeding support
- Kaiser Permanente Mother Baby Program 360.571.3017
- LaLeche League 360.213.5109 or 360.887.6960
- Legacy Salmon Creek 360.487.4050
- Sea Mar Community Health
- WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors 360.397.4370
- WIC program – 360.397.8459
- PeaceHealth Lactation Help Line 360.514.4027
Postpartum depression support
Postpartum Support International
Warm line: Call or text 1.800.944.4773
Services available in English and Spanish
Perinatal Support Washington
Warm Line: Call or text 1.888.404.7763 available 24/7
Services available in English and Spanish
Baby Blue Connections
Warm line: Call or text 1.800.557.8375
Service available in English and Spanish
Weekly support groups (Portland and Vancouver)
Facebook page
SW Washington Healthy Families
The Clark County Breastfeeding Coalition has changed their name to SW Washington Healthy Families and their new website provides information about their meetings, purpose and resources. They work collaboratively to promote breastfeeding practices throughout Clark County, including working mothers who desire continuing to provide their babies with breast milk. Their meetings are open to all interested people and they will be meeting quarterly in 2022.
Your right to breastfeed
You can continue to give your baby the benefits of breastfeeding after you return to work. National and state legislation requires that employers provide breastfeeding employees with “reasonable break time” and a private, non-bathroom place to express breast milk during the workday, up until the child’s first birthday. Washington state law has expanded these rights for two years after the child’s birth. These laws protect women’s rights to breastfeed in public places, including parks, buses, stores and government buildings.
Breastfeeding friendly employer
Employers who provide a supportive environment for breastfeeding employees enjoy many proven benefits including:
- Lower absenteeism
- Lower health care costs
- Better retention of employees
- Higher productivity and company loyalty
- Positive image in the community as a family-friendly business
Employers implementing a breastfeeding policy
- Workplace Breastfeeding Support in Clark County handout (English and Spanish)
- Sample breastfeeding policy
Public Health can provide worksites with free technical assistance to create a breastfeeding-friendly environment.
Employee
If the employer is not accommodating:
- Email Pregnancy@atg.wa.gov
- Leave a message on the Attorney General's toll-free line at 833.660.4877
- Submit a complaint using the online form and a staff member will follow-up
- Find more information at Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Accommodations
Related information
- Guidelines for Healthcare Facility Management of Perinatal Care of Persons with COVID-19 or Suspected COVID-19
- Lactation in the Workplace Toolkit
- Break Time for Nursing Mothers - US Dept. of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
- Your Guide to Breastfeeding - Office on Women’s Health
- Business Case for Breastfeeding - Office on Women’s Health
- Breastfeeding and Going Back to Work - Office on Women’s Health
- Breastfeeding – Washington State Department of Health
- CDC's Work to Support Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington
- WIC Going Back to Work - USDA
Additional resources
- Bonding Benefits of Breastfeeding Extend Years Beyond Infancy, American Psychological Association
- Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk, American Academy of Pediatrics
- Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mom, American Academy of Pediatrics
- Study: Breastfeeding for at least 2 months decreases risk of SIDS, American Academy of Pediatrics
- SW Washington Healthy Families, Facebook
For more information, contact the Chronic Disease Prevention team.