As more women have entered the workforce, the need for lactation support has increased, yet is still not recognized as an important health benefit. This can not only have a negative effect on employees but can also extend to their families as well.
Accommodations have been made over the years for non-essential needs such as smoking, including multiple break times and dedicated smoking areas. Originally it was a convenience; however, as we learned more about the negative health effects of smoking, businesses continue to make these accommodations. Expressing breast milk is a vital health benefit both for the lactating parent as well as the infant whose primary nutrition source is breast milk.
