At Emulait we celebrate feeding journeys all year round, but in honor of National Breastfeeding Month we will be shining a special light on breastfeeding mothers. Emulait’s design is based on four decades of research into the mechanics of breastfeeding and a deep understanding of the unique benefits that breastfeeding offers babies and their moms. Despite the known advantages, many nursing or pumping mothers encounter barriers that lead them to stop breastfeeding earlier than planned. Knowledge is power, and this blog explores some of the laws that exist to protect breastfeeding mothers in the United States.
The indisputable benefits of breastfeeding
The benefits of breastfeeding are well-established and indisputable. Breastmilk provides babies with all the energy and nutrients they need in the first few months of life and contains protective and immunity-building properties. Benefits to babies include greater protection from infections and viruses, better gut health, and fewer healthcare concerns and hospitalizations. Breastfed babies have better health outcomes over time, including a reduced likelihood of diabetes and obesity
Sustained breastfeeding offers protective benefits to moms, including a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer, maternal Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and an earlier return to pre-pregnancy weight. Beyond nutrition, breastfeeding promotes the mother-infant bond which is critical for both mother and baby.
When breastfeeding goals fall short
While public health organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding for six months and sustained breastfeeding for up to two years, mothers face many barriers to achieving these goals. 83% of mothers report breastfeeding initially, but only 25% report exclusively breastfeeding by the end of the first six months. Reasons include latch and nutrition concerns, but barriers include lack of social support, economic disadvantage, unsupportive workplace policies and poor parental leave options. Better systemic support and comprehensive family-friendly policies are crucial for good health outcomes for mothers and babies. mothers and babies.
Breastfeeding is a protected right – What you need to know
You have the RIGHT to breastfeed wherever you want
Across the United States, you have the right to breastfeed in any private or public area. In 31 states and DC, breastfeeding is excluded from public indecency laws. Your state may offer additional protections, so check here for more information about Breastfeeding State Laws.
You have the RIGHT to get breastfeeding support through your health plan or Medicaid expansion plan
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires new health plans and Medicaid expansion plans to cover preventative services, including breastfeeding support, supplies (like pumps) and counseling (like lactation support). If an “in-network” option is not available, your plan must cover an “out-of-network” provider. That means no cost-sharing for you (no co-payments, deductibles or co-insurance). Read more about this in the National Women's Law Center Toolkit.
You have the RIGHT to workplace accommodations for breastfeeding
The PUMP Act stands for “Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers”. Under this Act, employers are required to provide workplace accommodations (for up to two years) to salaried employees who need to express breastmilk. Time spent expressing must be considered work hours. This Act expands protections to teachers, nurses, airline crew and farmworkers who were previously excluded from breastfeeding accommodations in the 2010 Break Time Law. The Act also provides clear guidance on pumping times and the provision of private spaces that are not bathrooms.
You have the RIGHT to reasonable accommodations at any stage of pregnancy or post-pregnancy
The PWFA Act (Pregnant Workers Fairness Act) covers your right to workplace environment supports that help you get your job done. Examples of “reasonable accommodations” include the ability to sit or drink water, receive closer parking, have flexible hours, receive appropriately sized uniforms and safety apparel, receive additional break time to use the bathroom, eat, and rest, take leave or time off to recover from childbirth, and be excused from strenuous activities and/or activities that involve exposure to compounds not safe for pregnancy.
You have the RIGHT to choose your feeding journey
At Emulait, we believe it is a mother’s right to choose her feeding journey and be supported on that path. The Emulait bottle has been designed to ensure that babies retain the skills and effort needed to transition between breast and bottle, so you can feed your baby the way you want to while also getting back to the activities that are important to you – work, family care, and self-care. To ensure that families feel supported and empowered on their feeding journey, Emulait customers can also tap into our in-house lactation virtual support – we're all about making this journey more seamless for you and your baby.
When we started, we set out to support moms who struggle to transition between breast to bottle and back but discovered we could support so many more by offering a bottle that mimics the benefits of breastfeeding. This includes moms who stop breastfeeding by choice or for medical reasons, adoptive families, surrogate families, same-sex families, working families, and more. Whatever journey you are on, we are by your side to help you. Happy Breastfeeding Awareness month!
