WILLIAMS PROMOTES WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK

HARRISBURG, AUG. 2 – During a news conference at the Maternity Care Coalition’s MOMobile site in Norristown today, state Sen. Connie Williams, health-care professionals, moms and advocates for healthy children spoke about the importance of raising awareness and educating moms, businesses and the public about the health, economic and environmental benefits of breastfeeding.

 “If there was a real way to lower the rate of sudden infant death syndrome, lower the potential risk of certain cancers and even ensure children had fewer cavities – shouldn’t we make sure every mom knows about it and can take advantage of it,” Williams asked.

 “Even though scientific research supports breastfeeding, and even though breastfeeding is the first method women used to nourish their newborns from the beginning of time, many moms who decide to breastfeed face obstacles when they decide to return to work or school.”

 Williams’ news conference was one of many events being held across the country and around the world for World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1–7).

 In talking about the benefits of breastfeeding, Williams noted the positive effects it has on children, mothers, the economy and the environment. For children, breastfeeding supports optimal development and protects against acute and chronic illness, including some forms of cancer. Mothers who breastfeed recover from pregnancy and childbirth sooner than those who don’t. Breastfeeding reduces the need for costly health services that must be paid for by insurers, government, agencies or families. It reduces the number of sick days that families must use to care for their sick children.

The need to raise awareness and educate the public and new moms about the value of breastfeeding is great.

“Not only does the United States have one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the industrialized world, but statistical surveys of families show that over half of mothers with children under one are in the labor force,” Williams said. “If we support breastfeeding mothers returning to work, mothers are more likely to be productive and loyal to the company.”

According to Williams, the same can be said for the need for support in high schools and colleges.

 “There are many young responsible women who have children and want to return to finish their high school education or take college classes,” Williams said. “If we offer them the support they need, more young women will be able to achieve their educational goals.”

 Williams is offering a package of bills to protect and support breastfeeding mothers and to help businesses to support them, as well.

 Her bills would: 

1. Protect the right of a mother to breastfeed her child in a public or private location where they are otherwise authorized to be present. Clarify that the act of breastfeeding may not be considered a public nuisance, indecent exposure or obscene or sexual conduct. Would ensure that local governments cannot prohibit breastfeeding in public by local ordinance.

2. Amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to ensure that a breastfeeding mother cannot be fired or discriminated against in the workplace for breastfeeding or expressing milk during lunches or breaks.

3. Amend the Tax Code to offer tax credits to businesses that support breastfeeding mothers by establishing lactation programs. The tax credits would be for the costs associated with establishing a clean, private environment for women to pump, purchasing or renting equipment, hiring a lactation consultant, or otherwise promoting a lactation-friendly work environment.

In closing the news conference, Williams noted that it is important to continue to talk about breastfeeding and to remove the barriers that prevent many women from choosing the option of breastfeeding.

“Unless we do this, we have failed – we have failed to help mothers; we have failed to protect babies; and we have failed to make a positive difference in society,” Williams said.