8 benefits of supporting breastfeeding in your workplace and community

Breastfeeding supports optimal physical, emotional and intellectual development. It reduces risk for gastrointestinal and ear infections in infants. Infants who are breastfed for at least six months are also found to experience fewer behavioural problems in childhood and early adolescence.

Breastfeeding families may be less likely to incur direct and indirect medical expenses related to illnesses. These parents also need less time off work to care for sick children, which translates into fewer absentee days and a stronger workforce.

Adults who were breastfed have decreased incidence of many cancers, infectious diseases, asthma, obesity, and type 1 and 2 diabetes later in life. In these ways, breastfeeding helps position an individual for improved health for life and therefore also supports healthy communities.

Moms who breastfeed in the first six weeks following childbirth have better recovery outcomes and experience initial postpartum complications. Over the long term, positive health benefits associated with breastfeeding include a reduction in the development of some cancers, fewer chronic diseases, and improved mental health.

Lower income and younger parents, and Indigenous, Black and People of Colour face greater barriers to breastfeeding. Developing safe and inclusive spaces for all breastfeeding mothers helps address social inequity. All mothers have the right to breastfeed if they so choose, and should be able to breastfeed in any space they occupy. And did you know it’s a human right protected by the B.C. Humans Right Code?

Barriers to breastfeeding unfairly affect women and their children. Many women experience discrimination at some point while breastfeeding in public. Furthermore, workplaces at which women can’t breastfeed or pump means women having to choose between being employed or staying at home to breastfeed their baby.

Indigenous cultures have traditionally viewed breastfeeding as a sacred relationship between the Creator, mother, ancestors, infant and the environment. Residential schools and the 60's Scoop resulted in the devastating loss of traditional cultural practices and the erosion of caregiving roles. This has included the undermining of community and generational support around breastfeeding.

Creating safe spaces to breastfeed aligns with Calls to Action #18 and #19 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Breastmilk is always readily available, including during times of wild fires, floods, and other disasters, and does not rely on food supply chains, contributing to infant food security for families that breastfeed.

The natural process of breastfeeding uses few resources and has a small carbon footprint. Breastfeeding requires no manufacturing, no transportation, no energy to prepare, no equipment, and no industrial and plastic waste.