6. Use the EAP
Most sizable employers use Employee Assistance Programs to help support their employees with personal, family, psychological and other off-work issues. An EAP can provide great support to new moms on many topics, including breastfeeding. Check to see what types of services your EAP offers to working moms, and then get the word out!
7. Examine your rules
One new mom had to make a presentation to her company's facilities committee just to get them to put a lock on her door, enabling milk-pumping in her office, because door locks were typically only granted to VP-level employees. Breastfeeding mothers don't need special treatment, but they may need reasonable, human-centred problem solving to help them get their baby fed while keeping up with their work. An audit of your facilities, break times, and employee-access policies may point out areas where your rules are keeping moms from nursing or expressing milk at work (for instance, because the only suitable lactation place is on a limited-access R&D floor of the building). Fix them!
8. Publicize your support
It's not only the nursing moms themselves who need to know that your company supports lactation -- it's every stakeholder in your organization, from employees to shareholders to vendors and customers. A company that supports mothers and children makes a strong statement for its commitment to individuals and to the community. You will also make it easier for nursing moms -- who often feel embarrassed as they sneak off to pump milk -- by promoting your company's family-friendly practices.
9. Invest in the hardware
An electric breast pump in the $1000 range is a great investment that can prevent many women in your company from having to purchase or rent, and then lug, their own heavy pumps back and forth. If you find that several women at a time in your workplace are expressing milk -- or see that trend emerging in the future -- save your employees trouble and expense by providing the pump for their use.
10. Take a poll
Query your past and present nursing moms, via paper survey or online, and ask them what their experience of nursing or pumping milk at work was (or is) like. How can your company improve in supporting them? Publish the results to this group and to other employees to let them know that you are committed to supporting working parents and their families. Celebrate your successes, and start planning Phase Two!
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