In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) recognizes that 111 businesses in North Dakota have been designated Infant Friendly since 2011.
World Breastfeeding Week is an annual global celebration drawing attention to the health impacts of breastfeeding for both babies and mothers. The theme this year is “Sustaining Breastfeeding Together,” celebrating that working together for the common good produces sustainable results, greater than the sum of individual efforts.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life, followed by breastfeeding in combination with the introduction of complementary foods until at least 12 months of age. In North Dakota, 82 percent of women start breastfeeding their infants, but by six months only 23 percent continue exclusively breastfeeding.
One reason for decreasing breastfeeding rates as infants get older is maternal employment. According to the United States Census Bureau, in North Dakota, 74 percent of women with children younger than six years of age are in the workforce. This creates the perfect opportunity for businesses to support employees with their breastfeeding goals.
According to Mikaela Schlosser, Maternal Child Health Nutritionist with the NDDoH, “Workplace lactation support is a temporary accommodation that can be a win-win for the employee and business. A supportive work environment improves morale. Supportive businesses can experience reduced health care costs, lower turnover rates, and higher productivity.”
The NDDoH is pleased to announce the following North Dakota businesses obtained Infant Friendly designation since August 2016:
• Williston – CHI St. Alexius Health, Eide Bailly LLP
Employers can apply for the Infant Friendly designation if they adopt a policy that includes components outlined in North Dakota law SB2344. Organizations can find resources for supporting their employees and the simple application at ndhealth.gov/breastfeeding.
For more information about the Infant Friendly designation or World Breastfeeding Week, contact Mikaela Schlosser, North Dakota Department of Health, at 701.328.4529.
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