Breastfeeding can be difficult, but there are those who can help.

It is World Breastfeeding Week ladies (and gents)!  One of the most beautiful bonding experiences in the life of a mother is breastfeeding.  It can also be an emotionally, physically and mentally taxing event fraught with confusion and feelings of ineptitude.  Good news mothers-to-be, there are a lot of brilliant and practical resources right here in the Valley of the Sun to help you make decisions on breastfeeding, provide any kind of support you might need and give you a general forum for questions and venting.

Arizona Breastfeeding Law

"A mother is entitled to breast-feed in any area of a public place or a place of public accommodation where the mother is otherwise lawfully present."
(ARS §3 Title 41, Ch. 9, Art. 3, Sec. 41-1443)

There is not currently a law in Arizona providing women protection to breast feed or express milk while on the job.

 Working mothers are often concerned or embarrassed at the thought of broaching the topic of breast expression in the work place with their employers.  Breastfeeding, on average, requires 15-20 minutes of private time every 3-4 hours.  These requirements fall fairly well within the break and lunch schedules of most employers.  If you are considering breast feeding, talk to your employer during your pregnancy before maternity leave to start the process.  This gives your manager/human resource officer time to find out what company policy is on breast expression and to work with making arrangements at your return. 

A lactating mother will probably need to supply a breast pump and cooling case (i.e. lunch box with ice) to store breast milk, as many employees are likely to become uncomfortable with breast milk being stored in public refrigerators.  Pumping in a restroom is not hygienic, so if there is not a private space available, do some poking around and see if there are any unused offices that you could get permission to use.  I have known several managers at various companies who were happy to provide use of their private office for breastfeeding mothers, particularly those who had breastfed their own children.  Employers are on the whole much more supportive of work-life balance than they were a few generations ago.  If you think through the logistics before talking to your employer and have a plan in your mind (or on paper), you stand a great chance of making an ally of your boss in providing for the health and wellbeing for you and your new baby.

Guide for Employers on Breastfeeding Programs

There are many great resources for women all over the valley for breastfeeding support.  The following are some links to common resources.  If you know of or belong to an organization which is not listed but provides support, I strongly encourage you to email me or comment with information so that a more comprehensive list can be compiled from those who know them first hand!

Arizona Breastfeeding Coalition 

La Leche League of Arizona 

Arizona Department of Health Services – WIC