EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER NAMED BREASTFEEDING FRIENDLY WORKPLACE

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER NAMED BREASTFEEDING FRIENDLY WORKPLACE – The El Dorado Springs RII School District Early Childhood Center has joined a growing number of Missouri businesses be becoming a Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite. Breastfeeding friendly employers proactively support employees who choose to breastfeed their infants. They provide time, space and other benefits to maintain breastfeeding after a mom returns to work.

  Crystal Whitaker, Center director, said, “Lactation support programs are a growing trend in businesses today as a means of improving family services to employees.”

  Over 79 percent of Missouri mothers choose breastfeeding as the optimal form of infant feeding. Yet, many of these women do not meet their breastfeeding goals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified return to work as a major reason why many women stop breastfeeding.

  The Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Program was created by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in 2013. The program recognizes employers with policies supportive of their breastfeeding employees. Such policies provide a flexible work schedule for milk expression breaks; offer a private space other than  a bathroom where the employee can pump or breastfeed and ensure easy access to a safe water source and a place to  store milk.

  Whitaker said, “We want our employees who are new mothers to know that we support their decision to continue breastfeeding. We are extremely pleased to be designated as a Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite.”

  Pictured are: Jennifer Caldwell, Lynn McClaughry, Candy Woody, Rylie Bradley, Laura Linker, Crystal Whitaker, Amanda Eason, Jessica Watts and Jenean Ehlers.