Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite
For every $1 spent on breastfeeding, businesses save $3 in health care costs and time lost.

The top reason Oklahoma women give for not breastfeeding is returning to work. After giving birth, one-third of mothers return to work in three months and two-thirds return to work after six months.

Some mothers who breastfeed in public places and in the workplace have reported feeling harassed and even punished. The state offers a hot line to report concerns and complaints about breastfeeding and how breastfeeding mothers are being treated. Call (405) 271-4676 or (888) 655-2942 to report any concerns.

Benefits for Breastfeeding-Friendly Worksites

• Worksites that support their breastfeeding employees save money.
• Moms will have less time off for sick children and fewer trips to the doctor.
• Breastfeeding employees have more job satisfaction when they return to work.                             
• To learn more about becoming a breastfeeding friendly worksite, click here.

• Support mothers who breastfeed when they return to work.
• Encourage your employer to develop a policy supporting breastfeeding employees.
• Encourage your employer to allow flexible break times for the expression of milk.
• Employers can reduce many workplace challenges with small investment of time and money by providing a clean, private space that is not a bathroom for their employees to express milk.
• The room should have an electrical outlet and a comfortable chair with a table.
• Providing a sink for hand washing and a refrigerator for milk storage would be helpful, but not required for a "breastfeeding room."

• Support businesses, stores and malls that support breastfeeding mothers.
• Encourage businesses to support mothers who breastfeed when they return to work.
• Look for businesses that post a sticker that reads Nursing Moms and Babies Welcome.