The Growing Popularity of Lactation Rooms

I was watching television with my husband this evening when a commercial promoting lactation rooms in businesses came on. I found myself momentarily shocked. It may be a common commercial in other states but it's the first I've seen in Oklahoma. I think it's actually the first commercial I have seen, promoting breastfeeding on t.v. period. It's nice to see this change and know that women are now being encouraged to pump at work so that their babies can get all the benefits of their breast milk. A lactation room in all businesses would be a great asset for any breastfeeding mother. No longer would mothers who want to breastfeed have to hide out in bathrooms trying to pump.

I clearly remember, when I worked in a hospital, how much trouble it was for my female co-workers to find a secluded area in such a busy building, just to pump. It's almost as if everything in the work area was actually discouraging breastfeeding instead of encouraging it. It seemed like many mothers felt that pumping for their infants was more trouble then it was worth. Unfortunately, because of this, I saw many new mothers quit pumping after only a few short weeks.

So now that it seems businesses are considering offering lactation rooms for breastfeeding mothers, we ask ourselves, why this sudden change? According to studies, mothers who pump for their babies have not only had reduced absences but reduced healthcare claims as well. It's common knowledge that babies who are breast fed have fewer allergies, respiratory infections, ear infections, etc. Simply put, the chances that a mother has to take off of work to care for a sick baby is reduced if she breast feeds. If a mother knows she will have a place to pump when she returns to work, she is also much more compelled to return. This also saves businesses in the cost of having to train replacements. What company wouldn't want that?